Kelley letter: Refugees
At this moment, those in Idaho who aim to support refugees and veterans are receiving threats. The rhetoric of fear is contagious, and like a disease, it must be treated or else it spreads.
The cure for fear is courage, and courage is the judgment that other things, like providing refuge, are more important than fear. Hospitality is one of the greatest goods. When the Jewish tried to flee Nazi Europe, many were met with hostility because of fear. People were turned away, and left to the cruelties of Nazism, but not in the town of Le Chambon-sur-Lignon. This French town saved numerous asylum seekers by taking them in to their homes during a time of need and fear. Their hospitality gave something much more important to the people fleeing: hope. Let us give hope to those who are the most vulnerable in the world by supporting our refugee centers, and in doing so, we can treat the disease of fear that is spreading in our community.
Kevin Kelley, Boise
This story was originally published December 3, 2015 at 11:37 PM with the headline "Kelley letter: Refugees."