Columnist, paper right for stand on refugees

To the editor,

Thank you for being willing to take a stand on the matter of the refugees. I agree with columnist Dan Grota — it’s about fear. I don’t agree, though, that the terrorists caused the fear. I see the root cause of the fear as the “dumbing down” of America. As a society, we simply have become lazy and dumb about the values that used to be part of the fabric of this country. I believe our laziness has morphed into fear. As a society, we want someone else to do the dirty work of humanity. Oh sure, we’ll watch TV and say “how horrible” when we see the plights of the refugees. And then, quickly flip the channel to watch some hyped-up “reality” show or a sit-com. We’ll spend $5 for a cup of fancy coffee or an energy drink several times a week, but will not donate $30 a month to help combat homelessness or hunger. As a society, we want to be able to sit in the comfort of our over-sized, over-furnished, over-mortgaged homes and not have anything upset the balance of our comfort. We as a society have become lazy about standing up and speaking out for the values on which this great nation -or what used to be a great nation - were founded. Why? As a society we have become too lazy to do something ourselves, and too fearful that we might be marked as “different” if we do take a stand. What happened to us--formerly known as the U.S.?

I for one am different, and I’m willing to stand up and say so. The refugees are also different. They are willing to face death trying to flee from the destruction of their home land. They are willing to leave everything behind. They are willing to face their fears in an attempt to find a new home in a strange land where they have no relatives or friends, where they may not know the language or the customs, and might be hated for the simple fact that they are “different.”

We need to remember that the founding fathers of this nation were different. They were traitors! Where would we be today, had they not been brave and stalwart in their stance against their home land, to stand up for what they believed to be right and just?

Can you name one person you know who is not a descendant of someone who immigrated to America from another country? No.

I am a lifelong, sixth generation Native Alaskan. I claim numerous immigrants as ancestors; they helped shape the area from which I came, and me as well. I’ve felt first-hand the deep hurt of being called a name meant to be a racial slur. I feel shame in watching “Americans” turn against immigrants. This country was founded upon and used to be guided by Christian values and principles, and strength of character to stand for what is right - even if or when it isn’t easy. It should not matter what religion the refugees follow, what language they speak or what their skin color may be. Let them come; let them learn about our country and our cultures. Let us teach them our language and introduce them to our religions and our food and our way of life. Let us welcome them, and let us all learn to live together as a community of people who want to live by the principles on which this country was founded - freedom, liberty, and justice for all.

I too welcome the refugees. It’s the right thing to do.

Vicki Kluever

Palmer