I thought I was finished writing newsletters for awhile, at least until after the packing party. However, yesterday's announcement that we are reducing the number of refugees allowed into this country from 45,000 to 30,000 compels a response. In announcing the reduction, Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, stated
"the U.S. remains the most generous country in the world when it comes to "protection-based immigration." He wouldn't take any questions from reporters. Fact check this. I have. It can be added to the list of "alternative facts".
Let's do some approximation math and assess how generous we are. Assume an average of four people per family. 30,000 people is actually 7500 families. If equally divided among 50
states that's 150 families per state per year. There's no need to state the obvious. During the last year of President O'bama's presidency the number allowed was 100,000.
By coincidence, Chandler Crawford, Khalid Hosseini's international literary agent, and I have been exchanging emails recently. She reminded me that Khalid has written a short book, Sea Prayer, the proceeds of which are being donated to UNHCR to support its refugee programs. It's available through Amazon.
Anyone addressing the question of how many refugees to accept should first watch the video of Khalid's interview by Seth Meyers.
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| Khaled Hosseini Says Refugees Are Essential to America |
And, a video, Desperate Journeys, taken of Khalid's visit to refugee camps in Italy and Lebanon in July, 2018
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| Khaled Hosseini - Desperate Journeys |
Khalid, a world renowned author, is, by the way, a refugee.
I can't promise I won't write again soon but it's unlikely. I know I'm preaching (writing) to the choir. It's important, however, that those who care share with the indifferent the impact of indifference. It's also critical for everyone to recognize that the difference between "them and us" is where we were born.
On a lighter note, I spoke with a man who stopped by TIE's booth at the Art & Wine festival on Sunday. We discussed the absence of compassion and empathy reflected in the President's "appeals to his base". He said, "When I'm asked what I like about the United States, I tell people I like it's immigrants".
See you at the packing party for refugees on Saturday. Please bring your stuff before noon. We should be able to receive it by 9:15 am rather than 10. Where? The United Methodist Church located at 955 Moraga Road, Lafayette. We hope to be done by 3 pm. It depends upon how many come to pack and how much stuff people bring. These are the two variables I worry about every year, knowing full well you have come through for nine years. Not to worry. I have stress pills and Snicker's bars.
Budd
