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A sad day for our community |
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December 14, 2015 |
December 14, 2015
To the Editor:
It was a sad day for our community and our state
when our Boundary County Commissioners caved in
to an element of bigotry and prejudice in our
community by passing a resolution that was
directed toward the resettlement in Boundary
County and Idaho of Syrian refugees and, more
precisely, toward people of the Muslim culture
and Islamic faith. Boundary County has not been
considered for resettlement and would not be
because of its lack of urban amenities.
The commissioners attempted to disguise their
own biases by referring to the lack of available
economic factors in the community. They did not
refer to data that shows that refugee placements
have boosted the economy in the areas where they
have been located. The people supporting the
presented resolution displayed their fear,
paranoia, and lack of understanding of other
cultures and religions. +
There are many people in our community who were
unable to attend the hearing, because of the
time it was set, who disagree with this
resolution. There are those who represent the
community as the “friendliest” in Idaho and who
practice tolerance, understanding and compassion
for those who have lost their homes and risk
their lives to escape war and persecution. They
believe in the Universal Human Rights that says
we have the right to live in safety.
Instead of being leaders in the community to
bring unity and understanding of other cultures,
the Commissioners have caused divisiveness and
abetted in creating fear. Let us not mar living
in our beautiful county by having a reputation
of intolerance and discrimination.
Elsie Hollenbeck |
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