Corinne and I were discussing the refugee crisis in Syria as she was bathing me this morning. She told me that heart-wrenching story of little Aylan Kurdi.
We went on to discuss J K Rowling’s tweets on the refugee issue and Corinne shared two of the authors tweets with me.
The first one:
If you can’t imagine yourself in one of those boats, you have something missing. They are dying for a life worth living. #refugeeswelcome
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) September 3, 2015
The second one:
Want the Daily Express to care that you’re trying to find a safe home? Be a dog. pic.twitter.com/4F46vcWBWu — J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) September 2, 2015
I’ll admit that the second tweet had me upset for a minute, until I understood the context. J K Rowling was not criticising the need for care for dogs. No, she was merely criticising the media for not giving enough coverage to the refugee crisis.
I heard too that the Pope Francis appealed to European Catholics, calling every parish and institution to take in at least one refugee family. I’ve admired him for taking the name of a saint renowned for his love for animals. With this news, he went up in my estimation.
My question today is to you, human beings.
How can you stay silent in the face of such suffering?
How can you close your hearts and minds to people dying to live?
What use are all your scientific and technological advances, if they make you less than human?
What will it take for you to have a heart?
Your furry and confused friend,
Pablo
PS from Corinne : I have chosen have Pablo speak on this issue, not because it’s not serious. On the contrary the gravity of this situation makes it hard for me to find words.
Updated to add these links:
Add your links for Day 6 of the September Blogging Challenge below.
You know Corinne I find that we have so much of the human aspect of our being with advancements in every field… We have stopped thinking from the heart, we have stopped having a heart too…Aylan was just one kid, so many other kids and children have died in wars raged for men’s selfish causes but the world just doesn’t seem to care!
That’s right, Naba. What will it take for us to change?
I want to help. But what can I do to make things better for them? They are so far away.
No easy answers. But I try to reach out to the poor, especially children, around me instead. If every one of us tried to make a difference in our own surroundings, what a difference that would make.
I’ve updated the post to add some links to how you can help.
Yes. We all have to do what we can and hope it all adds up.
P.S: Thank you for the links!
The questions that you raised are very valid.
Technology is much advanced now, but it is of no use in some aspects. People are ready like a post, forward to friends and retweet it, when a child needs money to get operated, but no one wants to actually contribute.
Many people might have a good heart to help and I feel, they are not aware of proper channels to help or they don’t try to find out.
Leave about ignoring the problems of suffering people in other countries, Some, who has many luxuries don’t even realize that there are people around them without basic necessities and they can make a difference to them.
I believe that sharing posts and forwarding too are important. Advocacy plays a huge role on bringing focus to issues that need our attention. However, we need to combine this with practical ways of helping as well.
this is such a huge issue – both for those seeking refuge and for the countries being swamped with thousands of extra people to feed and house. I don’t think there is an easy answer (other than stopping the wars and atrocities that drive these people from their homes). We need to have empathy in our hearts and remember that they are people in need who have left their country out of desperation. Certainly a tough issue to post on Corinne!
I know how much Australia is struggling to find balance on this issue, Leanne. No easy answers, for sure!
Human beings are the most cruel and destructive beings on Earth and yet we claim to be the most intelligent. The human race needs a good solid shake.
Too right, Suzy! 🙁
It’s such a tragedy what’s happening out there in the middle east. Ultimately, I hope matters get solved there too but in the mean time, we need to show compassion to fellow human beings regardless of race, religion or ethnicity.
Compassion is truly what is called for, Sanch.
I read this every day in the news and see different people comment and do you know what abstract thought comes to my mind?
An episode of Star Trek: the Next generation where Captain Jean Luc Picard is talking to some downtrodden aliens on a planet. And he says something to the effect of “We too were this way, fighting over land and money and other useless things. It took us a long time but we finally united and worked for the common goal of humanity, removing the boundaries we had made.”
I fear that day and age will not come in real life while I am alive 🙁
Its heartbreaking … and can break anyones heart… the refugee crisis from Syria… Happy to see that so many people here gathering, collecting and helping them. We absolutely have to, I believe. Would have loved to see the rich arabic countries supporting more as well… Thanks for writing about this issue dear Corinne:-)
That first tweet had me thinking. You know, I can’t imagine myself in one of these boats, because I am terribly privileged. I don’t think anyone in the developed world can truly empathize with refugees, but we should realize that we cannot empathize with them and instead decide to sympathize and help.
This image will haunt our memories for a long time. Governments are concerned about global politics and terrorism that they forget the more pressing issues that need their attention. All of us are hoping that the events of the past week will serve as a wakeup call to all the world leaders and they will open their homes to the refugees.
I am absolutely at a loss to know how we in the United States would react if refugees were jamming our bus and train stations, and washing up on our beaches. It is horrific to imagine. After 9/11, I far too many of us would react with fear. That’s part of the reason one Presidential candidate in our country is making headway with promises to build walls to keep refugees from Mexico out of our country. Yet, we pride ourselves as being a “nation of immigrants” despite rejecting refugees from the early years of what became World War II. History repeats itself. We never know when we,ourselves, may become refugees. And yet, watching the national news, the refugees shared coverage with a dentist who killed a famous lion. I know many people cared a lot more about that lion.
Yeah and if he wins, I’ve told my husband we are moving!
The second tweet is sad. I sometimes wonder where this world is heading to and what we all can do to make it a better place to live. I believe little drops of water make the mighty ocean!
I couldn’t even go past the headline about Aylan. How power blinds humans that they can’t see beyond themselves… yet I do have faith in people , like u and me who are compassionate and will make a difference.
Yes, it was hard to read about it, Raji. But then it’s important for us to apprise ourselves of what’s going on. Hopefully, those visuals will change the way the world views refugees.
Those images that they posted in the LA Times were truly heartbreaking. I’ve been sharing stories about this crisis on social media to increase awareness about it.
They were, Patricia. I do believe that social media is very good for getting attention and creating awareness.
I’ve been watching it and it makes me sick and breaks my heart.
It is hard for me to think about this even. I become emotionally overloaded so easily. But I cannot turn away either. I think what if that were my child? No child should have to die because someone shuts the door of a country. Those leaning on the door to keep it shut might say, “Well that boy’s parents are responsible, because they chose to put him in that boat.” I bet those same people have never had to live with hunger or persecution from their own government, or had to leave someplace in the middle of the night to save their lives.
I’ve been staying away form this topic because it’s just so heartwrenching and at the same time refreshing. But why do syrians get invited to homes etc and so many other immigrants get sent back, unwanted, hated upon. etc….I won’t go into it, I just can’t. I love how you used your dog as the narrator. sigh…..
Oh I know, Orana. I know what you are referring to and it’s equally tragic.
Those poor people–it is just gut wrenching. And as a fellow animal lover, I totally get what Pablo is saying. =)
I feel so sad at such inhumanity and JK Rowling tweet is so powerful. Well said, Pablo, I believe in Development with human face. What’s the point of investing billion dollars, making scientific advancement and high level diplomatic talks if we neglect our children and let them like that. It’s shameful.
Thanks, Vishal. We can only hope!
I’ve been thinking along the same lines. Where is the compassion? Overshadowed by fear?
Fear and suspicion, I think , Dorothy. Thank you.