The tendency to pass judgement on entire populations, based on the actions of a radical few is a huge problem. Social media is abuzz with the angry comments of those who are trying to blame the global Muslim community for the deadly events of Paris. Others have been stoking fears that the wave of refugees trying to escape the horrors of war and oppression in Syria is really just a Trojan horse for the passage of travelling jihadists. New Jersey Governor, Chris Christie went on television saying he wouldn’t even let a five-year-old orphan into the state.
These positions fuel a collective paranoia that tends to be more interested in confirming existing biases rather than the truth. Islam is a global religion practised peacefully by almost a quarter of the world’s population. We wouldn’t blame all Americans for the past actions of the Ku-Klux Klan. But it seems some people have no problem judging every woman riding the tube in a hijab to be a terrorist. It’s high time we resist these biases and fears and start focusing on the real challenges.
When it comes to ISIS, the gang of murderous thugs pretending to act in the name of faith, I am supportive of every effort to suppress them. But we have to ask ourselves what really drives the brutal extremism shaking the world these days. It may be worth looking at previous outbreaks of violent movements. More often than not, weak governance, corruption, poor economic conditions came long before things turned bad. Extremism became an outlet, not a source.
Yet in all of the week’s frustrating and saddening news, there are encouraging glimmers of hope. After the misguided announcement by more than half of US governors to resist the settlement of Syrian refugees in their states, I was heartened to read of the open letter by 18 mayors, including Bill de Blasio of New York and Eric Garcetti of Los Angeles, who pledged to welcome these very same refugees with open arms.
Addressing President Obama, the mayors recognised the “myriad ways in which immigrants and refugees make our communities stronger economically, socially and culturally.” The world needs more of this sensible humanity right now.