Hello Family and Friends,
I debated about writing this blog post most of the day
because I worried I might offend and then I decided as the day went on that
this is bigger than me worrying about upsetting someone’s feelings. President
Trump won the election by electoral votes last November. He didn’t win my vote
but I fiercely respect American policy and the peaceful transition of power so yes,
he is my president and yes I am very proud to be an American even though it was
not my candidate I voted for.
President Trump is known for being very sensational
in everything he does, as most of the world knows by now. As a new president, I
think he was trying to make a statement or I am not really sure what his mind
set was but this last Friday the same day as Holocaust Remembrance Day he set a
movement into place that I can’t stay silent on. President Trump started a
travel ban on six countries including worn torn Syria on refugees and who can
enter America. Even though this program is only supposed to last 120 days it
was the first time a leader of a well respect country put a ban on certain countries
that are predominantly Muslim, thus the hashtag #Muslimban has taken off.
As a Catholic or Christian I thought on Friday and
throughout the weekend “what a terrible policy but it doesn’t really make an
impact on me”. Maybe I offend some by sharing that but I am sure I am not alone
on that mindset. I try to read scriptures every day and I had an eye-opening moment
on Sunday where I thought what if this was a Muslim president who banned
Christians for 120 days, or from predominant Christian cultures. How would I
tell my friends from Ireland who I love like the family and are family they are
not welcome in my country? It started to really dawn on me the REAL, real, real
impact of the message of hatred that America was sending to the world.
Here we are on Monday morning, once again consumed into the
chaos of the beginning of the work week. My job is involved with a wonderful
charitable organization that provides free eye exams and glasses to kids in
need who have already been prescreened financially and visually to determine
there is a desperate need for help. We were supposed to have over 100 exams
between 2 days this week for kids who met this criteria, we provide the doctors
who perform these exams. I found out today one of the days has been canceled. I
called and asked what changed and to my horror found out that since the new
President and administration has taken charge between his Muslim ban and his
Mexican wall proposal that over 100 of these parents refused to sign consent
forms for their children to attend this event. There is a fear of the government
and our new president and even in a charitable situation a fear of being
targeted. So, over 100 kids who already have been prescreened and determined
they need help will not receive the exam and glasses they need because FEAR has
taken this country by storm.
I will not be quiet. This
has impacted me now. Will my son be targeted someday because almost every
school shooter has been a white male? Hatred and fear is not the America I know.
Have courage, be brave and don’t be afraid to speak out when you see wrong
policies start to impact your life. I saw a sign from the protests this weekend
and I loved it. It said “First they came for the Muslims and we said not this
time you Nazi F***S”.
Lets live in love and hope. Be the America we are and don’t
allow fear mongering to win.
Love,
The Whites
