“What is your problem?” a friend recently asked – its a good question I thought !!
It made me examine more closely, what my ‘problem’ was. Its less than 9 months since my eyes were opened to this ‘refugee crisis’. I am 43 years of age – so this experience and quest to become more informed is a very small percentage of the life I have led (in simple ‘time’ terms). However, since then, my mind has known little peace.
So, maybe I am obsessed, ill or need medication? Of course this is possible – but I don’t think that is my ‘problem’.
As I have learnt and experienced more about the inequalities in our world, I have opened a Pandora’s box which refuses to close – even if I wanted it to. Therefore, as its difficult to believe that our world will be mended in my lifetime, I guess I have chosen a path of sorts for my remaining years. Although, I still am very unsure as to where this path will lead.
I am so grateful to be on the side of the fence which affords me; safety, an education, choices, opportunities, freedom and shelter. To not be grateful is unforgivable in today’s world. However, more and more of my neighbours are trapped on the other side of the fence. Trapped in a world without; safety, an education, choices, opportunities, freedom and shelter.
The fence is both physical and political. Many powerful people from all walks of life want to build the fence higher, stronger and more opaque. These powerful people would rather that the people on the other side of the fence to ‘us’ could not be seen, were forgotten about. Its easier if ‘they’ are seen as so different to ‘us’ that it doesn’t matter how horrendous that side of the fence is – after all ‘we’ don’t have to live there.
My ‘problem’ is that I will never accept division, fear and hatred as the status quo. I will not accept that just because of where I was born I deserve so much more than another human born in less fortunate circumstances. There really is no ‘them’ and ‘us’ – only ‘us’.
At this point in the history of humanity, there are major challenges. The continued inability of world leaders to help millions of people fleeing conflict zones, war and famine across the globe and climate change to name a few.
These issues simply cannot be addressed by building walls, locking ourselves away and not engaging in proper debate. The’ building walls’ concept seems the easier option in the short term, much more palatable to many than opening ourselves up to the world. Also, its safer for political careers and popular with fundamentalists of all persuasions as it feeds fear.
From a world security perspective, I am personally terrified of America in the hands of Trump, a split EU and a inwardly looking UK in the hands of the Tories. I will carry on trying to do what I can to promote unity over division, I know many others doing the same… so many people feel the same, we are not alone.
This Saturday there is an event in London to show solidarity and counter racist rhetoric, follow link below for further details;
As the organizers state;
“Now more than ever we need a huge response to the refugee crisis to counter the racist rhetoric across Europe trying to demonise and disenfranchise victims of war, oppression and poverty. Some of the largest mass movements in Britain have joined together with major trade unions to show solidarity.”
If you can, come and stand with us …
Solidarity for refugees 