The ongoing civil war in Syria has disrupted life for many Syrian families, innocent bystanders caught amidst the bloodshed. Since the start of the Syrian Civil War in 2011 millions of Syrians have become dislocated and impoverished, turning to Western powers for aid and shelter. Their requests, however, have been muted by recent acts of violence perpetrated by Muslim radicals, cries of bigotry from Western peoples, and reluctance from politicians who associate Syrians with terrorists and religious jihadists. Nevertheless, in 2015 President Obama promised that the United States would accept 10,000 Syrian refugees into the country, but since then his plan has become a target for criticism from the Republican party. Are they wrong for thinking
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In the history of the United States there is a legacy of humanitarian works that have shaped the lives of people around the world over, from the Belgian Relief during World War I to $4.5 billion worth of aid to Syrians in light of the civil war. However, conditions in refugee camps are in some cases unsanitary, with housing in Lebanon and Jordan unable to bear the brunt of millions of refugees. In addition, life in the camps has proved detrimental to 2-3 million children, who suffer from malnutrition and disease, as well as from the absence of education.(Text 3) According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, “Since the Syrian civil war began, 320,000 people have been killed, including nearly 12,000 children. About 1.5 million people have been wounded or permanently disabled.”(Text 3) Casualties these high provide for more than an adequate argument for greater intervention in the Syrian refugee crises, as the region continues to be a hot zone for militant activities, leaving the civilian population stranded without a bearing. The problem of an over-flood of refugees has become apparent in the neighboring countries of Lebanon and Turkey, where currently more than 3 million Syrians reside, forcing hundreds of thousands of refugees to brave the coming winter with inadequate resources …show more content…
For instance, Robert Bentley, governor of Alabama, recently announced on Twitter, “I will not stand complicit to a policy that places the citizens of Alabama in harm’s way. We refuse Syrian refugees.”(Text 4) This “bystander” ideology has been expressed by countless other Republican politicians, local and federal, with “More than half the nation 's governors say they oppose letting Syrian refugees into their states.”(Text 4) Fearing the threat of terrorism, with stigma stemming from 9/11, Republicans in the House of Representatives passed a “safety first” bill to “suspend the refugee plan and intensify refugee screening measures.”(Text 1) No less influential, have been hesitant American citizens, the voters, who feel alienated by the foreign nature of the Syrian refugee crises, yet compelled by the closeness of terrorism to support intense refugee restrictions. However, inaction, either on the part of the politician or the citizen cannot be excused, not when so much is at stake for a people no different from
In the history of the United States there is a legacy of humanitarian works that have shaped the lives of people around the world over, from the Belgian Relief during World War I to $4.5 billion worth of aid to Syrians in light of the civil war. However, conditions in refugee camps are in some cases unsanitary, with housing in Lebanon and Jordan unable to bear the brunt of millions of refugees. In addition, life in the camps has proved detrimental to 2-3 million children, who suffer from malnutrition and disease, as well as from the absence of education.(Text 3) According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, “Since the Syrian civil war began, 320,000 people have been killed, including nearly 12,000 children. About 1.5 million people have been wounded or permanently disabled.”(Text 3) Casualties these high provide for more than an adequate argument for greater intervention in the Syrian refugee crises, as the region continues to be a hot zone for militant activities, leaving the civilian population stranded without a bearing. The problem of an over-flood of refugees has become apparent in the neighboring countries of Lebanon and Turkey, where currently more than 3 million Syrians reside, forcing hundreds of thousands of refugees to brave the coming winter with inadequate resources …show more content…
For instance, Robert Bentley, governor of Alabama, recently announced on Twitter, “I will not stand complicit to a policy that places the citizens of Alabama in harm’s way. We refuse Syrian refugees.”(Text 4) This “bystander” ideology has been expressed by countless other Republican politicians, local and federal, with “More than half the nation 's governors say they oppose letting Syrian refugees into their states.”(Text 4) Fearing the threat of terrorism, with stigma stemming from 9/11, Republicans in the House of Representatives passed a “safety first” bill to “suspend the refugee plan and intensify refugee screening measures.”(Text 1) No less influential, have been hesitant American citizens, the voters, who feel alienated by the foreign nature of the Syrian refugee crises, yet compelled by the closeness of terrorism to support intense refugee restrictions. However, inaction, either on the part of the politician or the citizen cannot be excused, not when so much is at stake for a people no different from