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Highlands Today

U.S. Not Always Inviting To Immigrants

A Fresh Perspective

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By Suzannah Beiner

Published: March 25, 2009

Why don't people handle change well? Do they have mixed feelings about embracing the future, fear of leaving the past, or perhaps it's just plain obstinacy that hinders the transition of acceptance? Anytime someone is different, an anomaly from the status quo, there is a sense of reluctance to allow the person or group of people into that coveted spot of the inner circle.

However this is not a new phenomenon. Since the early days when immigrants caught their first glimpse of Ellis Island, waves of different ethnicities values, and ideas have landed on the shores of the "land of plenty."

But these "tired and hungry" were often met with prejudice and mistrust. They were conned by the cunning and pushed around by the powerful. And one by one the supreme confidence that was carried in the heart of all that came to this nation was dimmed and sometimes completely doused out like a "candle in the wind."

Of course as time marched on, these immigrants assimilated and became the citizens of the melting pot. But when the new wave was beached on the shores, they too faced the persecution of the growing clientele of Americans. So, people settled in segregated communities. It must have been easier to live in a place where there was unquestionable toleration and protection, so people stuck together. Eventually the ones already in America would adjust, but they always forgot the bewilderment they had when they were fresh off the boat and quickly retaliated against the newcomers with the frustration of the excluded.

You would think that we would have gotten past this faux pas in the history of America's welcoming committee. But of course, you would be sadly mistaken.

Right now, Muslims all over the U.S. are paying the price for the actions of a few. And what a heavy fine it is. The loyalty and allegiance of these people are constantly being called into question just because of their religion. They are being harassed through e-mails and hassled by vicious accusations.

Before 9-11, Islam was just another religion, a distant and exotic product of the Middle East where flying carpets and magic lamps abounded. Now just the mention of the word "Islam" carries the connotations of the word "terrorist", a sinister meaning indeed for a word that simply means "submission."

Of what I've read about Islam, the fundamentals share ties with Christianity and Judaism. The core beliefs seem to stress peace through the submission of God's will. Perhaps there is more commonality than difference.

And whoever God is to you, do you think He would want His children to be so vindictive and close-minded? Why do we focus on what makes us strangers to each other when we could make friends instead? Why do we hold vendettas and disappointments in our hearts for so long?

If we continue to mistrust our own citizens, then we can only expect the same mistrust abroad. Remember what happened to the Japanese during World War II? We are putting these Muslims in internment camps right now. It's the looks of mistrust in the airports, there's the fence, it's the degrading comments and anger, there's the barbed wire, and it's the refusal to give Muslims a chance to enjoy their culture and perhaps let our guard down to share some of ours, there's the guard with the loaded gun.

Moving past our fears, accepting changes with grace, making friends and building bridges are the marks of great Americans. Here's a call to my generation: let's be the welcoming committee our parents and grandparents never had.

Suzannah Beiner is a sophomore at Sebring High School.

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