Well he is doing all he said he would.
In his first week as President of the United States, Donald Trump has signed executive orders on immigration, abortion, and government wages.
In turn, residents of the United States and worldwide; some with acts of kindness and protest, others seeing this as justification for violence.
Thousands of people protested at major airports all over the United States while places like mosques are being vandalized, destroyed, or even attacked.
Prime Minister Trudeau has also responded with a tweet: “To those fleeing persecution, terror & war, Canadians will welcome you, regardless of your faith. Diversity is our strength #WelcomeToCanada.”
Even Pope Francis is joining the conversation. He tweeted, “There can never be true peace as long as a single human being is violated in his or her personal identity.”
Beyond looking at the politics of the move, we have to look at the fact that these are people who need help.
Historically, Jewish people who were trying to escape Nazi rule even before World War II broke out were turned away from Western countries based on their ethnicity.
Right now, Trump’s rule is targeting those of the Muslim faith from seven major Islamic countries; Iraq, Iran, Syria, Libya, Yemen, Somalia, and Sudan.
Why are these the only ones being targeted? Because Trump only sees them as one thing. He has put these people in a box that the vast majority do not deserve.
I had the pleasure of attending the Humboldt Regional Newcomers Centre’s Building Communities Recognition Night on Jan. 28 where the Centre recognized people in the area who are working to better their community by providing assistance to newcomers.
These are people who are welcoming those who want a new life in Canada. These are people who accept people from war-torn countries into their homes and communities.
It was humbling to see those awarded for years and endless hours of work helping newcomers to Humboldt and area.
And to hear their powerful words about why they do what they do gives hope that we will continue to be a welcoming country, province, and region, despite the cowardly acts of violence by some.
Norman Duerr received a Humanitarian for Peace award at the event and his work with newcomers is very personal for him since his two children are from Tanzania.
“Even though there are differences between us, we share a common humanity,” says Duerr.
That is what people today fail to realize.
It should no longer be an us versus them society.
We are all human.
It is not just the “others” who are being barred from entering the United States. They are not just Muslims or possible terrorist threats.
These are men, women, and children who are looking for a better life.
They are humans, period.
These are people who are in need and we have a duty, whether we call it a Christian duty or just a duty as fellow humans, to help our neighbours, no matter what colour, religion, or ethnicity they may be.
