The events in Paris have simultaneously brought out moments
of the best and worst of humanity in the news. The demonstrations of solidarity
throughout the world are incredible and should be supported. Never before has
the overuse of red, white and blue neon lighting been so welcomed across the
world.
Meanwhile, however, there is a growing feeling of
isolationism and hatred which has started to take grip. It is no longer a
surprise that Republican Presidential nominees have to take an anti-immigration
stance if they want to appeal to the vocal right, what has been something of a
surprise is just how vile some of the recent comments have been. When Donald
Trump suggests that Muslims should have to sign a register or Ben Carson likens them to rabid dogs and they can still stand a chance at winning the
nomination then there is something very wrong with the system.
As easy as it is to ridicule the Republicans and their
increasingly isolationist ideas it isn’t just the American system of government
which is taking an anti-refugee, anti-immigration stance. Across the world the
fear of refugees has been growing and the attacks in France have just helped elevate
the rhetoric of the right wing to new heights.
It is easy to explain that we should be helping people who
need it. It is pretty obvious to most people that the majority for those who
are fleeing for their lives are not planning terrorist attacks. The amount of
news coverage has made it clear to the majority of semi educated individuals
with an average GCSE reading age that the potential proportion of refugees who
may harbour jihadist sympathies is such as small fraction as to be
mathematically insignificant. Of course the risk of one individual with a bomb
must be taken seriously and sensible measures taken to prevent them. Denying
millions of the chance of a safe life away from the bloodshed is not the way.
New housing policies in the UK for example, ensuring that landlords
have to get specific documentation and id from potential tenants, will not
prevent people running to Britain. It may delay them from finding shelter,
however, after living rough for months and spending all of their money getting
there is unlikely to deter them for long. What it will do though is start to
create isolated communities, communities which are willing to only accept
people of the same religion, ethnicity, culture. Instead of protecting the
country it allows for a sense of isolation to spread and from there the
increased risk of radicalisation.
There are many other policies being suggested across Europe
and the West and almost all of them will lead to an increase in the threat of radicalisation.
Terrorism fails to flourish when people are educated about multiculturalism. It
relies on a feeling of persecution and hatred, it is almost impossible for it
to spread in an atmosphere of inclusion and understanding.
If governments are serious about stopping the spread of
terrorism then they need to dramatically alter their current mindsets. Of
course threats need to be identified and stopped but creating a persecution
complex is not the way to do it. Only be promoting genuine understanding and
tolerance can terrorism truly be defeated. Although isolating some of the
Republican Presidential candidates may not be an entirely bad idea.
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