Are we destined to repeat the past of inhumanity to humanity?

As moralists and activists for the rights of all, most people would agree that the scourge from world opinions towards the poor, lonely, and disenfranchised has become too obnoxious and must be addressed by each one.

We decry the actions of persons like, Gaddafi, Assad, Hitler, Stalin, and of course Kim Jong Un, all who put their people last and see the lives of the masses as discretionary garbage.  This adherence to human cleansing is not new.  The problem is categorizing people who the “powers that be” decide to keep or destroy through punishment for the least of reasons, or just eliminate at their discretion.  

A newspaper article in today’s Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (June 14, 2018) titled “U.S. Catholic bishops blast immigration crackdowns” brings out a very critical movement occurring in the United States.  Of course, the issue encompasses immigrants wanting to enter our country, and the bishops consider “canonical penalties” for Catholics who are involved in what the bishops consider immoral immigration enforcement.  The bishops decried policies ranging from removing the chance for asylum for many people fleeing violence to separating asylum-seeking families, leading to “agonizing scenes at the border of anguished parents and terrified children.”  

Being raised by an Italian Mother who grew up in an anti-Italian community in Wilkinsburg, PA makes me wonder, “What would my life be (if indeed at all), had my maternal grandparents been denied entrance in the New York harbor so many years ago.”  They weren’t fleeing Italy because of discrimination, yet they found that here, in the United States.  

The point here is for hundreds of years (perhaps many hundreds) people have migrated to safety, acceptance, and choices to raise their families with some look to the prosperity they otherwise couldn’t have.  As I continue to quote the article; “In recent days, Attorney Jeff Sessions has said the criteria for obtaining asylum in the U.S. has become too broad.  He also said that asylum seekers who do not want to be separated from their children should not approach the border.”

People who abort babies, seek euthanasia for those who are older, mentally challenged, or in terminal illnesses use the reasoning they’re better-off dead.  We revolt at these comments and reasoning for the discarding of human life.  Yet, so many people agree with the politics of immigration cleansing using the arguments; they are different than us, their stealing our jobs, or they don’t wish to speak our language.  How easy it has become to find excuses to discriminate for any group of people.  

To adhere to immigration-cleansing (my description) is no different than the aforementioned reasons for abortion, euthanasia, or shutting out people who may be challenged by any number of adversities.  Indeed, have we forgotten the adage that “those who can not remember the past are doomed to repeat it.”  

Perhaps those, especially our political leaders, are living in a world with rose-colored glasses, and can only see self-induced enhancements of the “Me generation” and to hell with those who do not agree.  

Sins that represent weaknesses of the flesh are those that plague most of us, but sins against humanity in their most subtle form will be dealt with in a more severe judgement.  These are aimed directly at God since we are created in His Image and Likeness.  Gen. 1: 26.

Take time to read, listen to, and speak up for humanity.  This is what evangelization is about.  Remember what Jesus said about loving our neighbor.  “For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have?  Do not the tax-collectors do the same?”  (Mt. 5: 46).  Seek those who are very different than us and extend signs of love and welcoming; they are also our brothers and sisters.