Spiteful rumors about our immigrant neighbors have been perpetuated during the entire election cycle. Mexican and Congolese people have not been released from prisons to invade the US. Haitians are not stealing household pets and eating them. There is absolutely no basis for these heinous claims, but their perpetuation has already caused harm.
Communities that now call the United States home are being forced to live under a cloud of false rumors and overinflated rhetoric regarding how they got here and what they are doing once they have arrived.
Statements like this can change public perception of cultures, people groups, and then individuals. When such accusations and false reports are repeatedly circulated, it is easy to begin to dehumanize people from specific regions of the world. Violence often occurs, and the potential for wide-scale attacks based on these false narratives grows exponentially. In this heated election season, baseless claims are being made with the sole purpose of creating hatred and hostility. The political motivation is evident, but the falsehood of the claims is equally apparent.Â
"We are one people, one family, the human family, and what affects one of us affects all of us. We cannot stand by and allow the forces of division to tear us apart." - John Lewis, congressman and life-long civil rights activist
It is imperative that we continue to nurture and develop a welcoming attitude to all individuals from every region of the world. This is what hospitality looks like. In a time of inflaming falsity, this is what it means to be true to our fundamental humanity and our high regard for every individual.
Patchwork Indy Team
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