Pay heed to those
'yearning to breathe free'
Americans are the most charitable people in the world and many of us have great faith, so what are we afraid of?
From 1820 to 1996 this country took in more than 61 million immigrants from almost every country in the world, including more than 7 million Germans, most during World War I and II.
Our great-grandparents came to the United States with their large families, including starving children, to escape the famine in Ireland. Some immigrants had sponsors, so work and housing was available. Others worked through a great amount of government scrutiny but were allowed to stay.
So far, America has begrudgingly accepted 90,000 Syrian immigrants since 6.5 million have been displaced due to their civil war, while other countries have welcomed more than 3 million starving men, women and children who have lost all.
What are we afraid of? An American killed 20 children and 6 adults at Sandy Hook Elementary and an American killed 49 in Orlando.
Maybe Syrian families would be better off starving than to come here and be subjected to our violence, intolerance and prejudice.
Or maybe an adoption of an old attitude is needed. We should open our borders to the Syrians who so desperately need our help. Many have been displaced for more than five years.
Do the words on the Statue of Liberty still have meaning?
Jill and Charlie Bogert
Rogers
A Muslim Arkansan's Islamic terrorism perspective
Several years ago, while in college, I took up a significant interest in learning and understanding why the Arab Spring had begun half-way across the world. I began delving into a world that challenged my beliefs and strengthened my relationship with God. I converted to Islam in 2013. I never anticipated that decision would lead me to justify the actions of radical "Islamic" terrorists in places I had not even heard of, yet alone in my own backyard.
In light of the recent attacks on Orlando, it has compelled me to shatter the rhetoric surrounding terrorism. Moreover, in the wake of the recent threats in Prairie Grove, I have been further compelled to speak out. It is easy to become enraged with ignorance about something so dear to my heart, my faith. But, it is more important that I, a Muslim American woman, stand up to help lead the charge against those who corrupt my faith. If there is any take-away I have learned, it would be that sometimes just letting people get to know you begins the conversation to changing ideologies and ultimately from preventing radicalization.
One element that makes ISIS so convincing to easily corruptible youth is that they offer a life of inclusion, when America has become a life of separation. If our communities united no matter what race, gender, religion, or socioeconomic status, we would not only save those who are mentally ill, but also those who feel their only way to being accepted is through regurgitating a religion they do not even truly care to learn. It is easy to place Muslims (all Muslims) in a category of "extreme" when we not only do not understand their religion, but we judge Muslims by a handful of countries who are supposed to be the "speakers" of all Muslims around the world. But in order to truly fight terrorism, we as parents have to reach our children at an early age and give them places to spend their time other than the Internet. We need community programs that encourage children of all ages to interact with their peers and spend less time online where more than just radicalization begins. We cannot wait until our kids are teenagers to act.
I hope others will join me on this fight to end bigotry and radicalization, and unite to go forward in understanding, tolerance, and mutual respect for the melting pot America is.
Mandy Montgomery
Centerton
Commentary on 06/27/2016