I’m writing to Justin a hundred times asking for amnesty for refugees. Here’s what I wrote.
6.
Dear Mr Trudeau,
I know that the best way to let a democratic government know what you want is to send letters. Talking on social media and chatting to your friends is great, but a letter is documented evidence that you can use to support a position.
I’m writing to let you know that I’m in favour of allowing more Syrian refugees into the country, but one letter doesn’t seem like enough. There’s so much to say, and I want to be sure it gets heard. So I’m writing you a hundred letters to ask you. I hope it helps.
Sincerely,
Shannon
7.
Dear Mr Trudeau,
I live in Victoria, and it’s very hard to find a good man here. Since you’re married, I’m still looking for one. If you allow more Syrian refugees to become Canadian citizens, there will be a lot more options available for me. I would be most grateful.
Thanks,
Shannon
8.
Dear Mr Trudeau,
John Oliver says in his video, entitled “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver: Migrants and Refugees” (available at this url: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umqvYhb3wf4), that studies have shown that refugees do not place undue strain on social services, but tend to become hardworking and productive citizens. If this is true, I would welcome as many refugees as want to come here.
Thanks,
Shannon
9.
Dear Mr Trudeau,
Every year on Remembrance Day, citizens of Holland send wreaths to the citizens of Canada in thanks for the soldiers who saved Holland from German occupation during WW2. We were heroes then. Let’s behave heroically now, and every chance we get. Let’s welcome as many Syrian refugees as we possibly can, and welcome them with open arms and best wishes.
Thanks,
Shannon
10.
Dear Mr Trudeau,
I grew up in a Baptist church, attending every Sunday for most of my childhood. I don’t go regularly anymore, but I still have plenty of Christian friends. When the topic of refugees comes up, I often hear my friends, even the Christian ones, say very negative things about refugees. They imply that these people are coming to steal our jobs and that they might be terrorists. I think these fears are unfounded. Jesus, in the book of Matthew, said:
“Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was ill and in prison and you did not look after me” (Matthew 25:41-43).
Let’s not allow fear to master us, and make us into the sort of people that Jesus would condemn to hell. Let’s instead remember these words from the book of Hebrews: “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” (Hebrews 13:2)
Thanks,
Shannon Graham