Writer George Orwell once said, “Happiness can exist only in acceptance.” Since the beginning of its existence, the United States has been seen as a melting pot of cultures and as a land of opportunities for people from all walks of life. Lately, the “land of the free” and “home of the brave” has been turning its back on some of the very principles on which it was founded. According to the U.N., there are currently about 11 million Syrians who are seeking refuge because they lost their homes. That’s over three times the size of Iowa’s population, and about half of Syria’s initial population before the beginning of the civil war. These people, young and old, are suffering at the hands of violence and basic human rights violations.

Syrian refugees are looking to neighboring countries for aid, but as camps grow more crowded and tensions increase, they are seeking help elsewhere, namely, the United States. Most of the refugees trying to come to the U.S. live in camps for 10-15 years and must go through intense interviews and security screenings which can take years before finishing.  These refugees desperately need our help, but unfortunately, we are turning a blind eye to their pain and suffering because we are afraid that them coming here would result in terrorist attacks. This is not the first time in history that something like this has happened.

During World War II and the Holocaust, many Americans disliked the idea of allowing German, Austrian, or Jewish refugees into the United States. In fact, in July of 1938, Fortune Magazine put out a poll asking how Americans felt about supporting these refugees and over two-thirds of those who responded answered negatively. Now, we don’t even think twice about fearing people from those countries. I find it cowardly that our country thinks it can justify turning its back on millions and ignoring the most basic right a person has; to live, just because the possibility of more terrorist attacks might rise. We need to set our fears of “what ifs” aside and realize that these children and adults are in immediate danger and fear for their lives every day.

As a pro-life Catholic I feel obligated to reach out and accept these people, regardless of fear. Terrorists are not exclusive to any one ethnicity, and there are more Americans killed by other Americans than there are killed by foreign terrorists. We need to open our eyes and see the humanity in these people and that they are not that different from ourselves. Living in constant fear is no way to live, on both sides of this issue. They are Syrian, we are American, but so what? We are all human, and in recognizing this we open ourselves to more courage, compassion, and understanding with each other.