Currently reading the Jan/Feb edition of the Smithsonian, and specifically an extremely inspiring story about the Krimml Pass in Austria.
Most people might remember the famous ending scene in The Sound of Music where the von Trapp family leaves the stage one by one which then morphs into their eventual passage over the mountains to freedom. A wonderful story, despite the fact that the real life von Trapps were not Jewish nor did they traverse the Alps. However, a similar trek to freedom was undertaken by thousands of Jewish refugees fleeing Germany (and other countries) via the Krimml Pass. Unlike the more well known Alps crossing areas (Brenner and Reschen passes), the story of this escape route was not well documented or even known outside the small town of Krimml which is located about 90 miles southwest of Salzburg.
What is inspiring about this story is two fold. First, this route was far more dangerous than the more well known routes, but became necessary when those routes were closed to the Bricha guides who had been leading those escaping to freedom. (The Bricha story itself is a wonderful example of people, Jews and non-Jews, who banded together to help those fleeing persecution and I recommend anyone interested in more details of this brave band of heroes research them as well).
The article details one of the men who was tasked with finding this alternate route, Marko Feingold. He is a prime example of a person that history had largely forgotten but who was instrumental in aiding thousands of people in his lifetime, in this case in their attempt to escape death.
Another inspiring revelation in this article is the fact that in 2003 a man named Ernst Loschner, a lifelong resident of Austria in a town not that far from Krimml, was first introduced to the history and importance of the Krimml Pass, a fact that astonished him given his proximity to the home of such an important historical event. Since then, through a group called Alpine Peace Crossing (APC), Loschner has made it his mission to not only remember the people and guides who made those dangerous crossings, but create a mind set that links all past and current refugees, in an attempt to teach the lesson that anyone could find themselves in such a situation.
For instance, and despite some dissenting voices within the Jewoish community, including Feingold, APC had invited Syrian refugees to participate in a crossing. This was controversial for some given that many Muslims are taught that the Jewish nation is their enemy, yet people who may share that belief were being asked to walk the route which saved thousands of Jewish lives. But as Loschner explained, APC is about openness towards all, and that only through inclusion and dialogue can such dangerous prejudices be defeated. The fact that those same Syrian refugees also faced persecution, just as today's Ukrainian refugees are being systematically cleansed by Putin's invasion force, the Ukrainian people being predominantly Christian, delivers the most compelling reason why the message and mission of the APC (and all such global organizations) is so important.
Not to mention, the recent rise in acts of violence, and antisemitic statements being given air on American airwaves, and abroad, let alone the continued promulgation of Holocaust denial articles and essays.
Which brings me to immigration.
It continues to amaze me when I hear Americans, many first and second generation Americans, railing against immigrants, illegal and otherwise. Perhaps it is another example of phrasing. If we called all people who were leaving their country refugees, whether it be to escape true persecution or just for a better chance at economic advancement, would that make a difference?
To me, in the end, it is not a big step to take to perceive anyone who wishes to come to America (or any country that features more freedom or economic opportunity) as a refugee. Does it really matter if their state of refugee-ness (I know that is not a word) relates to religious, racial, gender or economic issues? Do we not wish all people, regardless of race, gender, sexual preference or the luck of the birth lottery, the chance to pursue happiness? Are the words of the Declaration only for Americans?
I mentioned above that I am amazed at those Americans whose heritage is barely American yet have such prejudice against today's immigrants. But I am also angry at those who insist that their are only against illegal immigrants, as if people truly chasing freedom should have to worry about arbitrary rules that are generally based in prejudice and fear. Immigration quotas by their nature punish those without resource to bypass them, and those without influence to alter them. Not always, but too often, that rationale is a way to hide behind an obvious or hidden bias against "others".
I touched on immigration in the past, and have added a link to three of those posts below. In them, written as far back as 2014, and as recently as last June, I mention some solutions to our immigration problem. But sadly, that is part of the problem itself, that we think we need a solution to an issue which makes it illegal to seek happiness and prosperity in a country other than the one in which we were born, a simple fact that no one has any control over.
I would like to think that the Creator is not so close minded to think that her creations would have different levels of freedom and opportunity solely based on where she placed them on earth. Perhaps the real challenge of life is demonstrating that birth country, gender, race, sexual preference, or any trait that makes for diversity in our species is an opportunity to glorify the Creator, not restrict other people from seeking freedom and happiness.
https://wurdsfromtheburbs.blogspot.com/2022/06/migration.html
https://wurdsfromtheburbs.blogspot.com/2015/03/immigration.html
https://wurdsfromtheburbs.blogspot.com/2014/11/immigration.html
In the meantime, better woke than asleep.
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