Angelina Jolie Believes Generosity, Not Fear, Is the Best Response to Refugees
Angelina Jolie stressed that strength lies in being unafraid, referring to those who are afraid to take in refugees for reasons rooted in fear.
Generosity is the answer, not fear. This is the message of Angelina Jolie to the international community as she urged governments from around the world to respond to Europe's worst refugee crisis since the World War II.
According to Yahoo, the actress, who is also a special UN envoy, delivered a speech in London earlier this week. There, she opined that everybody has a responsibility to alleviate the sufferings of those fleeing their home countries and should not allow politics of fear to get on the way.
Currently, the number of refugees arising from conflicts in various regions, including in Syria, is estimated at 60 million. With this, Jolie said that she understands why many people are angry with the inaction of various institutions that should be dealing with the refugee issues. She opines that such a passive attitude has accommodated a false air of legitimacy to those who push politics of fear and separation.
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"It has created the risk of a race to the bottom, with countries competing to be the toughest in the hope of protecting themselves whatever the cost or challenge to their neighbours, and despite their international responsibilities," Jolie said.
Jolie stressed that strength lies in being unafraid, referring to those who are afraid to take in refugees for reasons rooted in fear. She reiterated her call for generosity towards refugees, adding that every human being has an equal right to stand in dignity and challenging the next UN secretary general, all governments, and individuals to heed her appeal.
Although the speech of Jolie BBC's World on the Move Day in London focused more on the plight of the refugees, the event also served as a venue for the actress to vent out her sentiments on Donald Trump after she was asked to give her two cents worth on the American presidential aspirant, Vanity Fair reports.
According to Jolie, America is founded on people from around the world coming together in their quest for freedom, especially freedom of religion. Hence, for her, the call of Trump to temporarily ban Muslims entering the U.S. is difficult to understand, much more that he is running for president.
