Have we learned?

The American public was polled. Over half of us said we didn't need more immigrants, not with all the problems we already have here. Homelessness, joblessness, uncertain economy, rising taxes and costs of medical care. We especially didn't want those immigrants. Why they'd steal jobs from our own people, add a burden to the already struggling economy. We'd have to educate their kids with our kids, and if they lived near us, our kids might play together. They didn't speak our language or share our religion. We were sorry to hear about the craziness and brutality of their homeland, but their need to get away didn't mean our way of life had to be disrupted. After all, they weren't like us. Lord knows, we couldn't help everyone. So we Americans decided to help no one.

That was in 1939. The people in question were mostly Jews and political exiles fleeing Nazi Germany. Despite the astronomical rise in Germans and Austrians seeking asylum in America in the aftermath of Kristallnacht, we did not increase the number of Visas granted. We turned a blind eye during what is probably the most appalling reign of inhumanity in the 20th century, going so far as to physically turn away a shipload of mostly Jewish emigres. They were returned to Germany. Hundreds of them later died in concentration camps.

Of course, hindsight is 20-20. It's easy for us to sit here 75 years later and render judgement. We weren't there. We didn't share the struggles of Americans then. We didn't feel their fear at the potential danger of having Nazi spies mixed into the group. We didn't have these foreigners coming to our neighborhood with nothing but the clothes on their backs, competing with our people for jobs and food and housing.

But the parallel is unmistakable. Here we are in 2015, and again, people are fleeing oppression and violence. They're boarding inflatable boats and crossing a continent on foot to have a chance at a future. And again American polls reveal our attitude. We say, "I'm sorry to hear about your problems, but you can't come here. Some unsavory characters might sneak in."

How dare we call ourselves a Christian nation when we take a position so clearly lacking compassion and basic kindness. Completely un-Christian.

I'm proud of the stand taken by President Obama and Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf. They are sticking by the moral compass outlined for us by our forefathers. They're showing that we Americans have learned something in the last 75 years. Certainly we've learned that an Us vs Them mentality is outdated, and it's safe to say that Americans agree, we function as part of a global community. We all share the same air, the same sun, and yes, the same God, whatever we may call him. We get that. If only the majority of Americans were ready to put aside their fearful knee-jerk reactions and act on those beliefs.

In this generation, at this time and for all time, we Americans need to be firm in our commitment to be a beacon of the hope of freedom for people around the world, even when it makes us uncomfortable. If we aren't that beacon, who is?

An even bigger statement of who we are as Americans is this: if we turn our back on emigres out of fear, then the terrorists have won.

Character sketches from my (soon-to-be-released) picture ebook!

What's a good kids' story without great illustrations? Not nearly as much fun, I'd say.

 

These awesome characters will populate the picture ebook, Mikey and the Swamp Monster, which I hope to release by late October!

I'd written the story ages ago, and since retirement, pulled it out and tweaked it. With permission from my son Mike (whose childhood imaginings inspired the story), I'm getting the ebook ready to launch. 

For illustrations, I again called on the talent of the incredible Mike Rausch (a different Mike) to add visual life to my words. You may remember that Mike also created the acclaimed cover for my historical fiction novel Risking Exposure. 

Stay tuned!

A meme, and an open mic

At the recommendation of a number of marketing websites, I'm trying my hand at creating memes and sending them off into the world.

Members of the Endless Mountains Writers Group were the featured performers at the Dietrich's open mic night last night. I had the opportunity to sit back and listen to the creations of my fellow storytellers, which was just wonderful. So often during Group, with the paper copies before me and the author's request of things-I-want-to-know-about-this-piece, I have my critique hat on and don't really get a chance to just hear the story develop. What a delightful change of pace. I heard some nuances of voice and character that would have been less obvious on paper, and I definitely felt the overall story flow better by listening to it.
Hildy (aka fearless leader) says she wants the Writers Group to participate in open mic at least annually. For now, I've made myself a promise to let my eyes do less critiquing and to just listen more.

I'm back, I think

For a variety of personal and work-related reasons, I haven't blogged in months. Hopefully, I'm getting back in the groove now. 

 

Tomorrow night, I'll join others from the Dietrich Theater's Endless Mountains Writers Group at Open Mic Night! I'll read the opening scene of my current WIP, the sequel to Risking Exposure, tentatively titled The Path Divided. Stop by the Dietrich at 7:00, pull up a chair, and have a listen. Hope to see you there!

Week one of the blog tour!

A few moments in the spotlight, a couple excerpts, and three reviews later, week one of the blog tour is in the history books! A huge thank you to Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours for acting as tour host.

Here are clips of the book reviews Risking Exposure has received this week.

"Sophie’s character is wonderful; she feels like a real person and has many difficult decisions to make. Through her actions, Sophie is able to show people that everyone has worth and is able to make an impact." Stephanie's Book Reviews

"I loved Sophie! There are some great side characters that add to her story and she needs to decide who she can trust. I enjoy WWII stories and thought this was a refreshing take since it dealt with the youth program that was in place... it moved quickly towards the end and that's when I couldn't put it down." 
 Mel's Shelves

"The writing is also stellar, balancing historical facts with an engrossing story, ensuring that you won't soon forget the history you're learning. The moral is...that being a silent bystander is just as bad as being a perpetrator." Book Babes

Week two promises to be great fun, the sequel. (The sequel of the blog tour, not of the book. Yet.) 


Monday, May 11
Review at Book Nerd

Tuesday, May 12
Review at Beth’s Book Nook Blog

Wednesday, May 13
Review at Flashlight Commentary
Spotlight at CelticLady’s Reviews

Thursday, May 14
Review at With Her Nose Stuck in a Book

Friday, May 15
Review at Genre Queen


Stay tuned!