Pamela Zuurbier, Sauk Rapids
We are a nation of immigrants. Our ancestors arrived at these shores sometime in the past. For some, that arrival was many generations ago. For others, it is more recent. For example, on my father’s side my family has been in the United States since before we were even a country. On my mother’s side, there are only four generations since my great-grandparents moved here from Europe.
Historically, there have been many waves of immigration to the United States. Every wave faced the same struggles for acceptance and success in the new land. They were not always welcomed with open arms, nor were they pampered and cared for. New immigrants tended to congregate together in their own communities in order to help one another. They left those initial communities for two reasons – as they achieved economic success and when newer immigrants arrived. Our culture is richer and better because of the ideas and traditions each group of immigrants brought with them.
Given that we are all to one degree or another immigrants, I cannot help but wonder why some are so afraid of new immigrants and refugees. Yes, they are different from us. Different perhaps in skin color, or in faith. But different is neither bad nor good. Different is neutral. To me, your skin color and faith are much less important than how you act. Are you respectful to those around you, whether or not they differ from you? Do you tolerate ideas and opinions that disagree with your own? Do you show kindness to all and offer help to those who need it? Those who act that way are the type of people I would like to see enrich our country and culture.
Here is my advice to those immigrants who have already been here for several generations: Don’t be afraid of those whom you don’t know. Get to know those who are different from you. Show them what it means to be part of this wonderful, multifaceted nation. We have room in this land for at least part of the world’s tired, hungry and huddled masses. Let’s make them welcome.