Why We Should Treat Immigrants with Love and Respect
Image by Belinda Fewings/Unsplash
I have often written about my ancestry in these posts, because it’s a core part of my identity. I am the proud descendant of Russian Jews, on my mother’s side. My great-grandparents escaped Russia at the beginning of the 20th Century, fleeing the terrible pogroms. They found sanctuary in the UK, settling in London’s East End, which has been home to wave after wave of people from all over the world. My people were immigrants, refugees, asylum seekers. And I live in a country which long took pride in the compassion with which it treated those, like my family, seeking sanctuary here.
When I look at the news today, I am shocked by the language and attitudes that have moved from the grubbiest fringes of politics into the mainstream. My grandparents would be horrified to see the far-right gaining power in the US and throughout Europe. As would the millions of brave men and women who gave their lives to fight fascism in World War Two. They fought to protect democracy, freedom and human rights, not to see them eroded and dismissed.
We are all immigrants
Let’s remember one thing: we are all immigrants. Every one of the eight billion people on this planet has common ancestors – the first Africans who left that continent and began populating the globe. Whether your skin is black, white, or brown, your ancestors were African. In my country, England, we have been invaded, occupied and settled by Celts, Saxons, Vikings, French and many other peoples over our long history. This island nation has seen a constant flow of migration, both inward and outward to our Empire and colonies. Migration is at the core of our history, as well as our wealth and success.
As for the US – this is a country whose every citizen, unless they are Native American, is an immigrant or the descendant of immigrants. Demonising and excluding those who seek to follow is not only cruel and heartless, but makes no sense. This country was stolen from its original people and its wealth built on the sweat and suffering of African slaves (as was England’s). Forced immigration it may have been, but that is more evidence of the debt America owes to its immigrants.
And this idea – that we should close our borders and keep ‘them’ out – makes no sense in Western countries with declining birth rates and ageing populations. We need immigrants to work in our health services, transport networks, agriculture, construction and the many other hard, low-paid jobs that our young people are loathe to do. For a shiningly positive example of this look to Spain, which has welcomed immigrants from Africa and elsewhere, who have worked hard, paid their taxes and integrated into Spanish society. The result? Spain’s economy grew at five times the Eurozone average last year, and faster than the US.
The tired old story we are told, over and over – that immigrants are a drain on our economy and society – is just not true.
Love conquers hate
Even more important than the economic benefits they provide, we should welcome those seeking sanctuary on our shoes with open arms because they, too, are human. They too seek a safe, satisfying life for their children. They deserve to be happy and work hard for their opportunities, just as we do. My heart breaks as I see civilians suffering terribly in Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan and many other places around the world. This suffering is because these people are seen as somehow less than their oppressors. Jesus and other great teachers who preached kindness and compassion for all, whatever the colour of their skin or level in society, taught us this is not true. We are all human. We are all one beautiful, multiracial family. We all deserve love and compassion, not judgement and exclusion.
I am passionate about this issue, because of my family history but also because I believe that the world sorely needs more love, more kindness, more compassion. We can see the consequences of too much anger, hate and hostility playing out around the world right now – and it’s not good.
I hope you agree. If so, please share this post with anyone who might be interested and donate whatever you can to Choose Love, by clicking on the button below. This is a wonderful organisation helping refugees and people displaced by war and natural disasters around the world. Thank you.
Love,
Dan ❤️