What Kind of People Are We

What Kind of People Are We In a Shakespearean sense of tragedy and doubt the well-used “To Be or Not To Be” from Hamlet is not the question I shall discuss in this narrative. Rather, I shall consider a few things concerning the current Middle Eastern and European migrant situation that has riveted the attention of the countries in those regions as well as the rest of the world. And it’s my opportunity to reflect on some of the things that have occurred (and are still occurring right now), that I find quite troubling and morally offensive to me as concerned person and citizen. As a writer and poet, and as a moral human being, I can say that I was truly shocked at the sight of an innocent, young Syrian refugee boy named “Aylan Kurdi,” who had drowned and was lying face down on a Turkish beach near a resort with his head turned slightly on its right side, as the ebb and flow of the salted waves pushed and pulled on his little body. A real tragedy for sure that might have been prevented, if humane, responsible, and responsive migrant immigration policies had been in place so his father would not have been compelled to put his wife and both of his sons—who all drowned together—on that fateful boat at the very mercy of ruthless and evil human traffic smugglers. The horrendous scenes played over and over on the 24-hour news cycle of the migrants and their innocent children from Syria, Iraq, Turkey, Afghanistan, and other countries being treated like cattle (or even less than cattle), and indiscriminately pushed around and tear-gassed by unfriendly and unwelcoming jack-booted Hungarian Rendorség (Police) were certainly most shocking and disgustingly revulsive by both their malicious tenor and insidious intent. The actions also of some right-wing Hungarian demonstrators hurling loud and abusive comments at the refugees was also quite tragic and disturbing. I found the actions of the Hungarian Police under the direction of Prime Minister Viktor Orban to be similarly reminiscent of the actions of Hitler’s Gestapo and Sturmabteilung or the SA Troops after 1933 in Nazi Germany. Shame on them! Shame on them! This is the same old tired bigotry and stupidity on display today. Despite these despicable actions of the Hungarian Police and many of Mr. Orban’s governmental officials, a number of Hungarian citizens still showed their kindness and humanity in helping the migrants at various junctures on the autobahn as they trekked toward the Austrian border in route ultimately to Germany. This caught my obvious attention as well. For me, the “so-what?” here turns ultimately upon the following philosophical and human question: “What Kind of People Are We?” The migrant problem as we know is largely the result of the massive displacement of people that has occurred (and is still occurring) in in the war-torn countries in the Middle East and in certain areas of Southeast Asia. This tragedy is one of many of our world’s current and future 21st-century challenges. How each of us as “concerned citizens,” in consonance with the policies and actions of the various governments in the countries we each live under, will certainly play a role in reflecting in the end the kind of people we really are. For me, the nationalistic actions of the right-wing parties and extremists, in many countries (including the United States) and particularly now in Europe, provide no real solution at all, and become a convenient excuse for many people to forsake their conscience and basic humanity—and to stick their heads in the sand like a bunch of frightful ostriches lost in the reveries of their hate and prejudice, and disgraceful cowardice! There can be no apology and justification for this ever! This type of behavior is a deep-seated cancer ever-lurking in the genes of our human society and in mankind’s soul—awaiting its chance to metastasize and reek its horrible destruction upon its victims. The point I’m driving at is this: The current responsible actions of a number of world leaders, to particularly highlight those of the European Union, appear to be taking several of the right steps in helping these refugee migrants and their families undergoing this terrible strife forced upon them by the tyranny of war and the resultant poverty and dislocation. Being stupid, hateful, and clearly prejudiced as some people and certain governmental leaders are in our global community today is not the answer and it never will be! To people who really do care about this ongoing migrant tragedy, it’s time to rally and act in support of local, regional, and worldwide efforts to help these migrant people and their families so afflicted by poverty, disease, war, injury, death, and territorial displacement. For me, I desire to make my voice heard loud and clear as a writer, poet, and concerned world citizen on this matter and in my own most humble way. Keep in mind that many of us are descendants of families who at one time or another were migrants from other countries escaping the whip and lash of cruel dictators and their terrible regimes masquerading as legitimate governments of the people. In my estimation, the kind of people we should be or aspire to be are those who relish the winds of freedom, the certainty of justice, the spirit of friendship, the values of fairness and fair play, the magnificence of humanity, the desire for cultural diversity and inclusion, and the love of our fellow man under the very eyes of God Himself. What kind of people are we? With this, I rest my case. Gary Bateman, Copyright © All Rights Reserved, September 11, 2015 (Narrative)