If we were embroiled in World War III right now, you wouldn’t know it from 95% of lifestyle blogs which makes me sad. Personally I do not understand it. That’s like saying, let’s pretend slavery or the Holocaust didn’t happen because I don’t want to get political. Ipso facto, I won’t talk about the Syrian refugee crisis or terrorism.
I get that a lot of bloggers want to keep their sites uplifting, but not a single mention of current events is inauthentic. I know that audiences right now are seeking confirmation from popular bloggers on what is their reality. Let’s remember that silence has very damaging implications historically.
Here is where my heart is.
First and foremost, I feel so much anguish for the victims—those who died and were injured in the terrorist attacks on Paris as well as Syrian refugees. A set of photos titled ‘Where the Children Sleep‘ taken by Magnus Wennman show children displaced from their homes in war-ravaged Syria. It is gut-wrenching. These are innocent children.
Every single American is a descendant of immigrants. I am horrified by calls from politicians and my own friends who want to keep Syrian refugees out of the U.S., citing terrorist ties.
Keep in mind the following:
- The attacks on Paris were committed by European Nationals (French and Belgian), not Syrian refugees!
- Steve Jobs who is as American and Apple-pie as you can get, is the son of a Syrian immigrant.
- In a recent speech, California House Representative Xavier Becerra noted that not a single refugee of the 750,000 admitted since 9/11/01 has been arrested on domestic terrorism charges.
- The U.S. has a stringent vetting process that we have been employing for decades. We don’t accept anyone randomly.
- If people are so concerned about safety, maybe you should get a head check and think about all the homegrown mass shooting killers like Adam Lanza (Sandy Hook Elementary) or James Holmes (Aurora, Colorado movie theater).
- Synonymously, during World War II, politicians were against allowing Europeans (including persecuted Jews) to immigrate to the U.S. How do you feel about those politicians now?
We are a country of immigrants. It is our duty to welcome as many immigrants as possible. They will not take away our jobs. They will not strain our resources. They will not kill us! They are contributing members of society.
Immigration is a positive thing. Let’s open our hearts and our minds.
And finally, to my fellow bloggers, every day we write about life. And life is not always good. That is our reality, that is our truth. There are so many different lenses from which to see this world. I urge you to stand up for your convictions and to use your influence for the greater good.
What can I say, but very beautifully said, Catherine. Thank you for saying ti as it is here.
Very well said. I agree with you.
I tend to put all of that stuff on Facebook. That is my forum for informing about the world. I know you have read my FB stuff because you have commented on it. Thank You.
My blog is the one happy place in my life that I want to keep happy and fun. I know that sounds strange but it is the one thing I don’t want to be cynical about.
Well said. It’s something I have struggled with because I definitely have to monitor just how much news I am inhaling and how much social media I can take (man, people have shown their hearts to be ugly this week!). Sometimes it is just too much. So I get the idea of having an outlet…But to not mention it at all? I devoted a day to it and I believe i’ve mentioned it every day this week in some fashion because even as life is going on (and it is…I’m in the middle of a sudden move) I can’t pretend that that these crises are not happening because I am thinking of them constantly, particularly the refugee situation (as everyday I am just blown away by how cruel people and politicians are being).
I’ve had to unfriend people this week. UGH.
It was so hard for me to write this week, though. It felt strange. And I had a ton of sponsored stuff already scheduled, but I did choose one post to let it all out about the sadness. And I’m glad I did.
I did feel I owed it to my readers, even though I’m by no means a popular blogger.
Yeah I’ve been trying to find the right way to talk about it and my perspective is always more about how people think and why they behave a certain way but it’ll take time to properly research. What’s happening is just so sad, that this day and age people are living in those conditions and oppressed like that. It’s what happens when their government cares more about money and looking good than its own people. Great topic and very true, we need to talk about it and not the shoes on your feet. Have a great one Catherine! -Iva
Very well said.
Very thoughtful post, Catherine – thank you.