The above map shows the states refusing to accept Syrian refugees due to the recent Paris terrorist attacks. Thirty-one of the fifty states have had their governors proclaim their refusal to accept Syrian refugees. Legally, these proclamations have little effect because a state cannot prevent refugees from crossing onto US soil, but they can ask the state department to cut the budgeted funding for the refugees, making it nearly impossible for them to meet their basic needs.
While over thirty-one Governors stated their plan of turning away Syrian refugees, French President Françoi Hollande declared that his country would accept 30,000 Syrian refugees over next two years, a statement for which he received a standing ovation. Despite the tragedy that occurred in Paris, the country of France is refusing to turn its back on a people in their time of need. Below are some lessons that many all over the world can learn from President Hollande.
1. Respecting Commitment
Before the terrorist attacks in Paris, France had made a commitment to host 30,000 Syrian refugees, and President Hollande has recently said, “30,000 refugees will be welcomed over the next two years. Our country has the duty to respect this commitment." He indicated that settled refugees would go through rigorous security checks. France made that commitment and is determined to stick with it, however, here in the Unites States and over the world, there are countries and states willing to denounce the commitment made and leave helpless people to fend for themselves.
2. Remaining True To Our Values
In his most recent public address, President Holland said, “We have to reinforce our borders while remaining true to our values.” Despite the tragedy that occurred, France will still be allowing Syrian refugees in despite their religious affiliations. However here in the United States, some governors and presidential candidates have spoken about only allowing Christian refugees instead of Muslim refugees. How could we, as a country, turn our backs on a suffering country in dire need of help?
President Obama summed up thoughts on the issue very nicely in this quote:
“"When I hear folks say that maybe we should just admit the Christians and not the Muslims (refugees), when I hear political leaders suggesting that there would be a religious test for which person who's fleeing from a war-torn country is admitted -- when some of those folks themselves come from families who benefited from protection when they were fleeing political persecution – that's shameful. That's not American."
In hard times like these we should think of the Albert Schweitzer quote, "The purpose of human life is to serve and show compassion and the will to help others."
