Following the terrorist attacks of 9/11, Arabophobia skyrocketed in the United States. We allowed our fear to breed hate. We feared Arabs, we feared Muslims, and we judged them by the horrendous acts of an extremist minority. Following the attacks that claimed 129 lives in Paris on Nov. 13, fear is back, and with that fear, discrimination and hatred is brewing.
We are shocked by the deathly attacks in Paris, yet forget that Syrian refugees are searching for escape from death and terror, as well. According to Vox, Republican presidential candidates Ted Cruz and Jeb Bush have yet to call for a complete ban of all Syrian refugees, but have stated that the U.S. should limit admission to Christians, who make up only 10 percent of the Syrian population. Several state governors (and counting) have announced they will refuse Syrian refugees settlement in their state. As of Nov. 18, 26 U.S. governors issued statements saying they would not allow Syrian refugees to enter their states. Here is a map of every state that has refused to accept Syrian refugees:
The following statement is from Texas Governor Greg Abbot's letter to the President:
I urge you, as president, to halt your plans to allow Syrians to be resettled anywhere in the United States. Neither you nor any federal official can guarantee that Syrian refugees will not be part of any terroristic activity. As such, opening our door to them irresponsibly exposes our fellow Americans to unacceptable peril (Abbot).
As a fellow Texan, I urge you, Governor Greg Abbott, to consider what it would mean for us as a country if we were to turn our backs to the millions of Syrian refugees who have been forced to flee from their homes under unacceptable peril. And as a United States citizen, I urge myself and my fellow Americans to look past our fear and remember that hate cannot be destroyed by more hate; only love is capable of that. Whether American, Parisian, Middle-Eastern, Christian, Jewish, Muslim, or any other race or religion, every person is a member of humankind. Let us remember that with humankind should come human kindness.