Eve Shy: Refugees need our help again
After World War II, I was on a bus in New York City and passed the Jewish Resettlement Office, where lines of Jews were clamoring for help. The anguish and desperation on their faces have never left me.
I also remember the skeletal men from displaced person camps after World War II arriving in Milwaukee receiving shelter, medical attention and jobs.
In 1975,Vietnamese refugees, both Christian and Buddhist, settled in Chapel Hill, Durham and Raleigh among other places in North Carolina. Among all these refugee groups, their offspring became professionals and general service providers and proud Americans.
Now, Syrian refugees are seeking asylum from horrific situations.
In my long life I have seen and experienced the ravages of war and the plight of refugees.
Recently, Gov. Pat McCrory said it is his job to protect his people from terrorists who could come into North Carolina as Muslim refugees. The governor does a disservice to all Muslims who immigrated here, who were born here and those seeking asylum.
A reminder to McCrory: “Do unto others as you would have others do unto you.”
Eve Shy
Efland
This story was originally published December 5, 2015 at 1:00 PM with the headline "Eve Shy: Refugees need our help again."