Think first before welcoming latest wave of refugees
When my refugee parents arrived in this country after World War II, they were thrilled to become Americans.
They loved America. And they taught their children to love America.
Each Independence Day they were the first on our street to display the American flag. They never asked for aid. They taught us to study, work hard and be good citizens. That we might harm others was unthinkable. My parents never asked others to speak their language and they struggled all their lives to perfect their English.
No one had to send my father to class to learn not to sexually assault women, as several European governments did recently for North African and Middle Eastern refugees. No government officials agonized that my parents would fail to assimilate (as European officials have).
May I be forgiven for comparing my own family to today’s refugees fleeing to Europe? Am I wrong to believe that we should pause before we welcome this wave of refugees, many of whom resent us and are unwilling to adapt to our way of life?
Ray Berger, San Luis Obispo
This story was originally published April 5, 2016 at 8:51 PM with the headline "Think first before welcoming latest wave of refugees."