I am as shocked as many are with the choice UK citizens made today to leave the EU. Most of my British friends are equally shocked and dismayed.
"How could this happen??" We all ask.
After listening to hours of NPR and reading more Facebook suggested articles than I should have, it seems to me: no one thought it would happen. The issue wasn't taken as seriously as perhaps it should have been and that reminds me of something a bit closer to home.
We never took Trump seriously and look where he is. He has a 50% chance of being president of the United States after promising to build walls and close borders. He is running on fear and hate.
I'm not one for political posts on my blog. I have a wide audience and am not sure this is the platform for politics, but I can't be silent. Silence only creates more harm, more fear.
The Brexit vote, it seems to me in my research, was in large part, against immigrants and refugees, and is based in racism and xenophobia. It was in large part a closing of doors and a building of walls. It was a retreat from progress, community and the greater world. It was nationalistic and isolationist in tone and it is exactly what is happening in the U.S.
And as we know history repeats itself. The world paid very little attention to Hitler as well, and look what happened. Now we are a long way from there, but we are taking the early first steps. We must remember we ARE the other. It is us. The lines and differences are made up, created. We all (unless we are Native American) come from somewhere else. And yet here we are---excluding and fearing others because they look or sound or pray or love differently.
We need to open our closed hearts and closed borders.
Open your eyes. Pay attention. Fight the small-minded darkness with large-hearted light.
At least this is what I think. Would love to hear from you.
"How could this happen??" We all ask.
After listening to hours of NPR and reading more Facebook suggested articles than I should have, it seems to me: no one thought it would happen. The issue wasn't taken as seriously as perhaps it should have been and that reminds me of something a bit closer to home.
We never took Trump seriously and look where he is. He has a 50% chance of being president of the United States after promising to build walls and close borders. He is running on fear and hate.
I'm not one for political posts on my blog. I have a wide audience and am not sure this is the platform for politics, but I can't be silent. Silence only creates more harm, more fear.
The Brexit vote, it seems to me in my research, was in large part, against immigrants and refugees, and is based in racism and xenophobia. It was in large part a closing of doors and a building of walls. It was a retreat from progress, community and the greater world. It was nationalistic and isolationist in tone and it is exactly what is happening in the U.S.
And as we know history repeats itself. The world paid very little attention to Hitler as well, and look what happened. Now we are a long way from there, but we are taking the early first steps. We must remember we ARE the other. It is us. The lines and differences are made up, created. We all (unless we are Native American) come from somewhere else. And yet here we are---excluding and fearing others because they look or sound or pray or love differently.
We need to open our closed hearts and closed borders.
Open your eyes. Pay attention. Fight the small-minded darkness with large-hearted light.
At least this is what I think. Would love to hear from you.
but i don't know that we ARE a long way from there (with reference to your hitler comment). once the ball starts rolling - and you're right; it rolls because people don't believe it will - it moves at an alarming speed. why does hate and isolation seem to have a louder, more motivating voice than love and inclusion?
ReplyDeleteI agree steven, Its coming faster than we think. We must keep alert or history repeats. Hate is easier right? Which is why I think we need to respond in love and light even though I want to punch racist sexist homophobic xenophobic idiots in the face. :) What do they say---all choices are made from either love or fear....
DeleteThanks, Kim. Wonderful words. I hope many in the European Union come to realize that their union, like ours, will never be perfect and will always require work to overcome hate and fear.
ReplyDeleteThanks Mark....we must all work together to overcome hate and fear....
ReplyDelete