I watch with pride as Canada comes together to do all we can to help those in need. Canada has always been the empathetic and helpful neighbour on the global neighbourhood and I am very proud to show my Canadian colours as I travel the world. The media coverage of the recent Syrian refugee crisis has provided a snap shot of the strengths and weaknesses of that same global neighbourhood.
Those countries and individuals who have opened their doors and pocketbooks to help these people forced out of their family homes and then forced out of their home country has been heartwarming to see. It is a natural tendency of humans to try to help when we see others suffering. This tendency has waned a bit in modern society, but the average person still has empathy towards those who have horrible things done to them, or are put through hardship.
On the negative side, we have seen some push back against helping these people. The fact that they share nationality with known terrorists has caused some to question whether they should help. The US has fallen victim to this fear. If rational thought is used, it becomes clear that the good far outweighs the potential bad when it comes to helping these people. If you allow your fear of what happened in Paris and other places to override your basic tendency to help those in need, then those creating the terror have achieved their goal.
If you question whether we should help, please consider for a moment what they have endured. Imagine if our government began implementing policies that limited freedoms and persecuted certain groups that did not agree with them. Imagine if then someone tried to stop these practices through protests that lead to armed conflict.
You may not have been involved in any of the protests or conflicts; you may have just tried to continue living your life, going to work, shopping for groceries, going to school. But then your school was destroyed by the fighting, your place of work was destroyed and then your home was destroyed or became part of a battle field. You would have no choice but to gather your family and run. Moving away from the conflict would be your only basic option.
Where would you run? Imagine if after all this, you realize that the countries neighbouring yours were also a war zone and had been taken over by tyrants and terrorists. Desperation sets in and you are left with very few options and likely end up either risking your life (and your families) to try to escape, or you end up in a refugee camp. A refugee camp is essentially a slum with rules and some food and water provided. But when the alternative for your family is death and persecution, the risk is all you have.
Now remember, these people were not poor or destitute before this all started; they were doctors, lawyers, secretaries, salesmen, programmers, etc. They had careers, homes, hobbies; a life; and it has all been taken from them.
This is the plight of the refugees coming to Canada. Imagine how grateful you would be in the above described situation if a safe, prosperous and friendly country opened its doors and said "Please come live with us, we want to help you." Imagine the gratitude, relief and happiness you would feel. Imagine how hard you would work when you got to that country to repay them. Imagine how hard you would work to help make that country a better place for your family, for your children.
As I watch the pictures of these families crossing the Mediterranean, leaving in refugee camps and then arriving in Canada and now see stories of the children starting school, I am imagine if that was my daughters , my wife and me. I imagine trying to keep my daughters safe and fed, let alone happy, while enduring those hardships. It breaks my heart to just imagine my 11 year old trying to sleep on the street, or in a tent. Or my 8 year old trying to find something to eat in a refugee camp. I think about how upset they would be if their schools or our house was ruined.
It is hard to imagine what they have gone through and I am glad that my hard earned tax dollars are helping these people. If there was ever a good use of tax payers money, rescuing and supporting these families is it.
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