Why I Weep Today

I was watching Parenthood this morning (well, afternoon because I slept in, but it felt like morning to me) and it’s the episode where Amber gets into the car accident and we don’t know if she will live or not. I’ve seen this episode several times so you would think I wouldn’t cry this time around. But I did.

And it took me a minute to realise that I wasn’t crying for what was happening on my computer screen. I was weeping for my country. My country that is wounded right now. My country that is wrecked. My country whose leader is making decisions that are crushing. That are against international conventions. We don’t know if our country will be alright. I’m crying over this because I’m hurt. Because my country is hurt.

How can you turn away innocent people fleeing death and destruction, persecution and war, simply because of their religion or their country of origin? How can you even pretend that the narrative of this country is not one that was built by immigrants and refugees?

The latest from Serbia: 85% of refugees are in heated shelters thanks to work by us, partners and the government. We’re working together to find solutions for those who remain in informal sites. UNHCR/@DanielEtter ———————————— #Europe #winter #exile #refugees #realpeople #WithRefugees #Serbia #cold

A photo posted by UN Refugee Agency (@unrefugees) on Jan 25, 2017 at 12:39pm PST

Whatever happened to ‘Give me your tired, your poor / your huddled masses yearning to breathe free’? Whatever happened to love your neighbour as yourself?

What has this world come to that a person’s religion prevents them from seeking (and finding) safety? What about the 0 American deaths on US soil by foreign terrorists from the 7 Muslim countries in the immigration ban? What about the 11,737 Americans killed annually by being shot by other Americans? What makes this ban the one to save our country?

When the the Ayash family were resettled to Lunenburg in February 2016 as part of Canada’s private sponsorship program, they were the first refugees welcomed into this small community of 2,500 people. There are challenges involved in relocating to a small town, but the family has already built strong friendships. David Friendly, a Jewish resident of Lunenburg instantly felt connected to the family. David helped Ahmad find work shortly after the family arrived and as he does not have grandchildren, this friendship has taken on a special meaning. Lunenburg is not alone in its tireless efforts to help those who have been forced from home, for more stories click the link on our bio . UNHCR/@anniesakkab ————————————– #Canada #Syrianrefugees #refugees #realpeople #bestoftheday #instahope #friendship

A photo posted by UN Refugee Agency (@unrefugees) on Jan 11, 2017 at 7:03am PST

I don’t have answers to these questions. I don’t even know where to begin to figure out how to comprehend my emotions. I’m hurt. I’m angry. I’m ashamed.

But I am thankful. Thankful for those who are also hurting, fighting, speaking out for what is right. Thankful for the attorneys rushing to airports around the country to fight for the refugees barred from entry upon arrival. Thankful for world leaders calling Trump to explain to him the Geneva Convention (danke, Angela Merkel). Thankful to know that the actions of one man do not represent the beliefs of an entire country.

I truly hope that things will change. I truly hope that feelings of anger, shame, and sadness don’t come to mind when I think of my country in the future. But right now that is not the case.

“Atrocities have been allowed to become commonplace. So many lives have been lost. There is grave risk now that such displacement and suffering will not stop, but will be repeated elsewhere, in other wars. For the sake of civilian protection everywhere, Syria’s conflict must be ended, now, and without delay.” Aleppo has become a metaphor for the disastrous situation that Syria is in today. This is our High Commissioner’s message to the world today. UNHCR / Mohamed Jertila ——————————————–#aleppo #syria #displaced #refugees #unhcr

A photo posted by UN Refugee Agency (@unrefugees) on Dec 17, 2016 at 8:16am PST

Thank you for reading this little thing.

I know it’s not a manifest and has no way of changing the world in any way. I know I could be protesting (but crowds scare me). So this is how I help  (or at least try to).

I love you all.

(and yes, the background of this image was chosen for a specific reason)