I've recently read up on how in WA Somali families will no longer be able to wire money to their families in Somalia. Why would this happen; what would make decide to stop providing a money making service? It was uncovered this past summer that some money was used to fund terrorists in Somalia. In reaction to such a finding they are cutting off the whole service.
As it has been in our culture to think it's our job to prevent terrorism across the world and be the police of the globe it's not surprising this would cause banks to stop providing the service. We all must do our part right? The culture in Seattle for fearing terrorist attacks is strong. There are signs everywhere to tell people if you see an unattended bag to call the police immediately. I honestly fear, bags and boxes by themselves. At the last stop on the train the police go through and check for anything suspicious. There are drug and bomb sniffing dogs at the ferry docks. I'm sure some of these measures are necessary but they impart the police culture and fear to everyone.
Unknown to many in Seattle, but we have one of the largest Somali-American communities in the nation. I tutor many Somali kids. I work in a neighborhood where many of my kids that I tutor live. I am angry because we are telling those kids through these actions that their family members are terrorists and that they are not much better. The money wired provides food, education, and helps family businesses abroad. When we allow the money to stop being sent we are telling those kids that their families do not deserve food, education, or a livelihood. Is it better to have them keep the money? I'm no expert on Somali culture especially about community but I have read the students poetry and talked about home and I know that they care about family. The Somali-American community provides more aid than NGO's and now one of the largest Somali-American communities can't provide. What will that do to their families abroad.
To put it in perspective London has massive problems with Islamic extremist groups that actually enforce Sharia Law and are linked to broader terrorist organizations; yet if someone tried to wire money from Seattle to London there would be no questions asked. The risk is great everywhere. I have done research about terrorist recruitment in western Europe and they recruit those who want to feel like they belong and give them meaning and family. Their recruitment is not limited to gender, sex, or ethnicity. There is no way to tell who will join such an organization. By stopping the transfers of money to Somalia we put an entire nation at risk and simultaneously tell the Somali-American communities they aren't worth as much as others.
We need to reflect on the larger causes and the effects of such actions on not only internationally but locally. It's time to stop thinking about ourselves because all actions have reactions and in a global community they are global reactions.
Original Information
#Somalis4Remittances
#IFundFoodNotTerror
Just as food for thought, the terrorist link up was released this past summer. It's only after the release of American Sniper that this even has happened. Could there be a link to the hate for Muslims and equation of Muslims to terrorists be a trigger point to cause this? Who knew a film would cause young Muslim girls to get threatened at a movie theater; if such a thing can happen I wouldn't put it past a business to "fight terrorism" through cutting off a valuable support line.
As it has been in our culture to think it's our job to prevent terrorism across the world and be the police of the globe it's not surprising this would cause banks to stop providing the service. We all must do our part right? The culture in Seattle for fearing terrorist attacks is strong. There are signs everywhere to tell people if you see an unattended bag to call the police immediately. I honestly fear, bags and boxes by themselves. At the last stop on the train the police go through and check for anything suspicious. There are drug and bomb sniffing dogs at the ferry docks. I'm sure some of these measures are necessary but they impart the police culture and fear to everyone.
Unknown to many in Seattle, but we have one of the largest Somali-American communities in the nation. I tutor many Somali kids. I work in a neighborhood where many of my kids that I tutor live. I am angry because we are telling those kids through these actions that their family members are terrorists and that they are not much better. The money wired provides food, education, and helps family businesses abroad. When we allow the money to stop being sent we are telling those kids that their families do not deserve food, education, or a livelihood. Is it better to have them keep the money? I'm no expert on Somali culture especially about community but I have read the students poetry and talked about home and I know that they care about family. The Somali-American community provides more aid than NGO's and now one of the largest Somali-American communities can't provide. What will that do to their families abroad.
To put it in perspective London has massive problems with Islamic extremist groups that actually enforce Sharia Law and are linked to broader terrorist organizations; yet if someone tried to wire money from Seattle to London there would be no questions asked. The risk is great everywhere. I have done research about terrorist recruitment in western Europe and they recruit those who want to feel like they belong and give them meaning and family. Their recruitment is not limited to gender, sex, or ethnicity. There is no way to tell who will join such an organization. By stopping the transfers of money to Somalia we put an entire nation at risk and simultaneously tell the Somali-American communities they aren't worth as much as others.
We need to reflect on the larger causes and the effects of such actions on not only internationally but locally. It's time to stop thinking about ourselves because all actions have reactions and in a global community they are global reactions.
Original Information
#Somalis4Remittances
#IFundFoodNotTerror
Just as food for thought, the terrorist link up was released this past summer. It's only after the release of American Sniper that this even has happened. Could there be a link to the hate for Muslims and equation of Muslims to terrorists be a trigger point to cause this? Who knew a film would cause young Muslim girls to get threatened at a movie theater; if such a thing can happen I wouldn't put it past a business to "fight terrorism" through cutting off a valuable support line.