I’m the New Zealand-born son of refugees.
My parents fled violence and oppression in their home country, leaving almost everything behind.
Dislocated by war and fascism, they met in Wellington.
If Europe’s borders had been closed to them; if New Zealand hadn’t accepted them as refugees, I wouldn’t exist. My kids wouldn’t be here.
So the cold hardheartedness with which some Kiwis appear to regard today’s refugees streaming out of war zones chills me.
That’s what’s on my mind as I watch and listen to ‘Human’ by Christina Perri. Identification.
Empathy.
For other humans.
– P
I think its a bit unwise to use a historic precedent from your own family experience to attempt to debunk peoples feelings about uncontrolled immigration and this latest fiasco.
People have good reason to feel the way they do about this issue … not everyone has the life quality that allows them to indulge in wearing their hearts on their sleeves as it were.
Its a little like the 18th and 19th Centuries … the great discoveries were often made by the titled, the rich and the powerful and privileged. They had the leisure time to pursue more erudite “things” and philosophise.
People have very real concerns … and they should never be dismissed as callous or heartless. Their concerns are founded on fact and not fiction.
Its just another side to the story.
Personally – the immigration tap needs to be turned off tight – and we shouldnt be taking these refugees. Charity begins at home … NOW