If we believe that a person seeking refuge is to be pitied, feared, despised, and looked down upon, we are doing ourselves a disservice.
Interpretation
The quote emphasizes the importance of empathy towards those seeking refuge rather than judgment or contempt.
Clemantine Wamariya articulates the essential human value of compassion in her quote, suggesting that viewing refugees with pity, fear, or disdain not only harms them but also detracts from our own humanity. Instead of looking down on these individuals, we should recognize their struggles as a reflection of a global issue that requires our empathy and understanding. This perspective invites us to support those in need and fosters a more compassionate society.
In practice
During a speech addressing the refugee crisis, this quote could remind the audience of the importance of empathy.
As a child growing up in refugee camps, life taught me that many things were impossible. My older sister, Claire, taught me otherwise when her strength and resilience made the impossible possible in the way she worked, behaved, and took control of our lives.
No matter how inured you get to atrocities, you're still always stunned and shocked by how cruel and wasteful Homo sapiens can be.
Human beings are complicated and flawed and unique, but we all have a story to tell. Gone are the days where our lead characters can only look like somebody else. Heroes look like all of us. We see ourselves in each others' stories. We see who we are. We see who we want to be. Sometimes we see who we don't want to be. And through that we have a greater understanding of ourselves and acceptance of each other.
How many years has it taken people to realize that we are all brothers and sisters and human beings in the human race? I mean how many years does it take people to see that? We're all in this rat race together!
We're all human, aren't we? Every human life is worth the same, and worth saving.
It is unconscionable for Russia to force Ukrainian citizens into Russia, and put them in what will basically be concentration and prisoner camps.
In countries where people have to flee their homes because of persecution and violence, political solutions must be found, peace and tolerance restored, so that refugees can return home. In my experience, going home is the deepest wish of most refugees.
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