The actions taken by Hungary in recent weeks to shut out or move refugees through its country clearly demonstrates how Hungary positioned itself within Europe and in the world. I imagine a conversation with Hungary may sound something like this:
Hungary: “What are you doing here? Go away. Leave me alone. Can’t you see I’m busy building this wall to keep you out?”
Germany, however, got it right. Chancellor Angela Merkel set a positive example, one for the world to see and other European countries to follow. That conversation would be a very different one, full of hope and possibility. Germany: “I can only imagine what you are going through. You have travelled so far. You must be tired. Come. Eat. Rest. We are here to help you.” A news reporter asked a woman in Germany why she came to help the refugees from Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq who were migrating across Europe, searching for a safe and secure new life. Her response was, “I did it because I am a human being. The refugees are human beings. They deserve to be treated as human beings.” To enlighten your thinking about war and refugees, read World at War, a global trends report on refugees published by the United Nations High Commission on Refugees (UNHCR).
Building a wall is a short-term – not a long-term – solution. A long-term solution comes through compassion and understanding.
How often have you ignored the needs of another person, put your needs ahead of someone else because you felt you were more entitled, or passed judgment on someone just because of who she was or where she came from? A few examples: You deliberately don’t promote a person because you don’t want to go through the laborious task of finding a replacement. You assume the quiet person sitting across the table from you in the meeting has nothing to offer, so you dominate the conversation and don’t invite that person to share anything. You choose not to listen to another person’s story because you don’t want to get involved. Every day, you choose how to behave in the world.
I attended a program recently. A woman with light olive brown skin shared that people often mistake her for being Hispanic and they begin speaking Spanish because they make an assumption about who they think she is. As it turns out, she is of African descent. She has to explain to people several times a week who she really is. She would feel more positive if people simply asked, “Where are you from originally?”
Too often, we jump to conclusions and make assumptions about people based on our perceptions rather than reality. There is much to learn from the debacle in Hungary. It reminds us to: Stop. Reflect on the situation. Imagine what these people’s lives are really like. Talk to them. Show compassion. You will learn something. We are all human beings. Everyone deserves to be treated with respect and dignity, no matter what the color of their skin, ethnic origin, or religious beliefs or values. Accept that person into the fold. Give that person a voice, a chance. Place value on that person. Isn’t that every person’s basic human right?