Bert Clere: N.C. losing dignity | Raleigh News & Observer

One of the most interesting displays in the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences is the “Japanese Friendship Doll” called Miss Kagawa. This was one of 58 dolls sent to the United States by Japan in the 1920s as part of a goodwill exchange between the two countries.

During World War II, North Carolina was the only state that didn’t destroy its friendship doll or remove it from display in order to appease anti-Japanese sentiment.

To me, the doll is a symbol of the higher standards of human dignity and global citizenship that North Carolina has traditionally strived for.

As such, I was disappointed to read Gov. Pat McCrory’s announcement that North Carolina should not take in any refugees from Syria.

The governor is catering to the winds of fear rather than the higher ideals of North Carolina. I urge him to reconsider his stance and learn more about these refugees, most of whom are good people fleeing violence and persecution.