Transcript for American activist speaks out on refugee crisis: 'It's not just another child in Syria'

Hey everybody I'm on in the -- welcome to uncomfortable the goal here is to have honest and unflinching conversations. About some of the things that seem to divide us right now as American from the big ideas were talking about. So today I'm really excited to say that Leno are Polly. Is here and joining us from the Syrian American council thanks so much for being here thanks for having so one of the things Alec asked people to do is to sort of callous about. Their child and how they grew up what was important to them it helps us understand it's not just what you believe but why you believe what you DO. The go for it. So my parents immigrated from Syria from Damascus about fifty years ago and they ended up in Washington DC. And ended up in Arizona at some point and ask for it was born so I regret most in my life and Arizona. Guy A it try to. In the beginning as a child I I wanted to be a full all American girl. And so I would you know I was really embarrassed and I was you know Taro board must slums I would you know tell my friends no no I'm I'm way at a I don't talking. I Arabic would not. But as I got older I got warm and comfortable. Becoming and that thereby he really. It's strengthened and by way on September. 9 grade. Monger. My god telling me after September that. Mean this is such thing and American. I. Now. It's. Going to be very hard for you. Parents. You should look at you know tied to meet them there. And with because this is time for higher than with. And so that was this moment where I was had an identity crisis where I grew up you know. Thinking I'm this all American girl my you know my older brother served in the military. You know we live such an American life. You know at some. Cultural differences. That may you know no boyfriends. At this point where it's you know. To find people. That are like you because it's. Before that though growing what were most if you're way where any of them. I mean the community by and I and in the Alley from your gas elementary school yet. Cell I was the only mountain. Aaron and of Arab descent and in my grade. The wife Fran Mexican it's. Yet but it was high school was. Really states me and the things that Q and who like. How my rights and a thigh he. So without one of the first times. That almost fascinated by how parents choose to it or not to address those kinds of things with their kids could some parents think I don't wanna make it the thing looks so we're not gonna talk about it and some parents like it sounds. Think your dad. Make a decision to say we need to talk about that he need to be aware it did it surprise you that he did that or had they always been like. It was a complete surprise. You know he has so many American friends important reason America no roots elsewhere. So we grew up that way and so when he said that that was the first time where I was like wow. I was just shocked I didn't know what to say and you know. It wasn't he didn't say like don't be friends with your friends but just be cautious because they might treat you different now because they're looking at you as somebody who's. You know from that region of one of the largest terrorist attack that happened counseling. So people are gonna treat you differently and expect and just be kind but just now like earth. People who are gonna fully accept your going to be. People who works for insisting suffering as you did. In the backlash and in the US and did they treated badly now I I didn't have I had a couple abundance. But. Not not to linens frequently casual kind of off the cuff remarks at the yeah I remember one. One years ones students. We were joking around. And he crossed the line and he needed joke like you know you can't make a joke with me because you your air and he did as a joke. But. It was so much steeper than and I was like what you mean by that because I'm Ara I can joke with the music you know. And I was like no I don't and it ends up becoming the State's big issue. And it and a heck mean really hard because I was late can. I aid. Don't see the difference you know like I grew up in this country as well. So you know it's fishy at that. Ninth grade. Is you're really starting to come into your identity right right you're starting to figure who aren't things that are important to you did it a fact. Sounds like at least in high school. In your lucky he didn't have more here here yeah issues or incidents like that it. When that college on yearly professionally with did you ever come across any of that and it bigotry ever. Or her or push back your father prepares you for now not all on the and I actually had the opposite reactions so I ended up going from. You know as a child I told you where I rejected penis this you know having group some of being Arab and must onion to. This horrible incidents that meet me go wow this is who I am you know eyes as I am a mix of beautifully between Arabs American. And so especially college by a really tuck. Courses. And I eyes soft I I I looked after frat I looked for friends. That worked were like Meehan and we had you know. All these different communities like you Lebanese hearing and yeah Saudi and we would always get together and you know have of the time but. I'm curious thing you think friends like you get up until the point where your father pointed out to you thought all your friends from Tokyo re evaluate just like and that is that Q. What parts in view. Were you tapping into there when you shouldn't developing more Arab or Muslim friends or any of that way. What what was that all what parts of them were speaking TO. Parts of mean was it you know shared and me experience says or cultural traditions are because even across a lot of people you mention a lot of the cultural traditions are very different Ryan Reynolds out petitions are very different dietary conditions are very different from Pakistani traditions all of so Powell it's perfect he found a community right with what he think it was what did you enjoy about being. I think it's that feeling. You're not here you're comfortable here or not can be Jack HU you get each other's jokes you know you you look the same you share the same kind of restrictions and the sin foods in the same enjoyment some pleasure in seeing. You know music. Yes so. It connected me to them and what. And college what I really enjoyed was starting back in learning Arabic. Sites are taking courses and parents don't speak it as so that was the thing actually drove my twenties so I spoke I. Chose not to speak and I would always speak English and my parents would speak to an Arabic and it forced me go to. You know Arabic school or Muslim you know yes we'll and I would push away I was saying known at this isn't for me Ian. But again in college it was this light bulb where I really want to take pride in and in my family's roots. And I realized that. For me my feeling is very small it's just us in Arizona. So I have this loneliness. And I. A would visit my grandma every now and then couldn't but it was very rare sight result agreement and Damascus and she still there. So I saw her like three or four times in my life and and college I realized. I don't even when I call her I don't even know how to talk to her. I don't even know how to say you know why I love you I just know lake you know 34 were heard step her and that's pretty much. All the conversation I had with this woman who. And there was a part of me that really her and I felt like I was missing such an opportunity to know my heritage you know my roots and you know so acted upon myself like this that's learn Arabic. And I actually Texans on the courses which were. Really interesting like women and slab was when my courses I really enjoy it he and I learned from more of an academic. Standpoint where as a kid it was always talk like you know. One and on she's teaches. You and weigh in LA basin they make up all the way we do it immediately do it yes there was no bases to what they tell you where it's short sleeved T shipments like Ali you're going to tell. It is Beckham famine and they would just make it happen they would hear it from their parents and their parents and their seven and make it up so when I went to school and actually learn about. From the historical. Standpoint from from the academic. It really opened again and it mean me where to begin history to act to learning about it from my professors and it's O. Beautiful. He now. They're so many things are really beautiful when Eastwood need to study. Did you find things in new academic study that contradicted things he learned. Like oh no we don't need to do it that way because actually says or or was it just strengthening everything now is buried. Continued till very different way of. Of land is found again one of my friends actually uses house general dictionary. And she takes each word from. Verses of the on me and says what is and what is this word mean a thousand years ago. And she says. What what are we understand it today. And how it's supposed to be interpreted is world of difference. And so I think that was a beauty and colleges what I realized just how. Arabic. And Howell. It's just some rich language and and so it that that ability. For somebody to midst translated. And for people to misunderstood as I understand it we use is Hugh pope's. And soul. Yet in it it got me closer against the religion and I'm I'm not off a 100%. Unless some I'm very spiritual leader but they really did open my eyes to this. Experience will. Going through I find it so interesting that you weren't taking yourself through this sort of like self exploration. And deeper understanding at the same time. The rest of the country. Is really paying a lot more attention to. The part of the world your family comes from them and their religion lets you Tammy here's two and all of those things that sort of like they're scrutiny from the outside that you were also self scrutinizing about it riot. Right and where did that take QI mean I'm curious how. Prior to that wing people an ask for your family with spamming you would say Syria what did that mean to people. Before the revolution's pat and most of you know a serialized then there's the people who. It's and I'd say Egypt and they didn't understand because you know their chairman is a song you walk like an Egyptian. And the cell. But yet most people didn't know where cereal it's where serial yeah especially an. Diet. It's. Killing people we need people acting in spring you explain to people. Taxes just like it wasn't a thing knots and Italy's then. And it depends what time. I was out because you know obviously before September 11 different story after. That. Up. And and you know hotter you know restrict yourself. Because because. I think it's really important to understand who you're talking to you and Sify. Have some understanding where where where is I don't want to get people to uncomfortable with some people you know I'm the first air. Or efforts must. So it's you know you want to walk people slowly like I'm just like you where and endlessly. As I've seen your actively thinking about yes you engage with people to make sure there's still comfortable rightly you're presenting a scores. And no it's not think I think it's. Up I think it's actually a really wonderful. To beat two from two parts of the world. I think it's a way that makes me I'm in the space where an evil Hugh. Understand. You know American. And I'm able to someone understand. But it makes me. You know makes me suffer for who I am. So I'm I'm happy. Even though it might sound Exxon actually think. When you tell people now. In late seventies that Japan and here what does that mean people like Carrey and the congress. Again it depends where am. I mean is. In New York with the friends. And I. It was a friend of a friend and I sent you know my concerns and he. Says you know others weren't. And since. They break it is. Yet this is the worst humanitarian prices and patient you did you not hear about the war. And I. But I mean just again it depends where it's a lot of those absence. You know and and even Nazis. Yes I'm really happy that people. Understand. Feed the tragedies people. I don't want my parent. Home country. To be a place where it's just sad that it only represents patents mean it is such a beautiful country with so much history. And you know for people just say you know I'm sorry. When it's. It's it's really sad. It's really sad. Response like ads. Went to Q. You can some work re settling refugee problem in your hands in the bears as well when did that start to the of importance to you. To do that kind of gas I'm gonna go back to college. In college when district in the courses realized but you still strong and really start that relationship with my granma. I apply for scholarship to study Arabic university who. I was selected as 140 students from around the world through torched does. Other exit at the programs that Georgetown has. They have four seats at the current university programs and that until yet. So and it living and for three years. Island Arabic but my first year that it was different urban program I was slightly permanently as much herb like cats and when he. And I'm them at sea area and many live with anchor Dan you know I've found some nonprofits and wanted to work for in Syria and that was my. Seoul the programs from twenty tents at. Had to sell. I was in doha. Watching parents and on you know offers to each and each. You know and I was like praying it would come here and I. Then there's no chance you know I would go to serious and my parents would like don't ever talk about politics you know you can't talk about that the regime and you know whatever you do like you people are so scared. So there's no way they're aware of that yet I was part of your upbringing yet this is the century every night Kenya Kenya. Every time I go to Syria as as early as six years. When it they see you. My parents were very very strict about it saying. We if you ever getting cap and they ask you what you think the Sharon said don't say. And new Dziena I was a very social little girls I would talk to everybody and hate it. Then sell there relate to please like whatever you do get in the cab don't talk to them about anything askew it how's the weather you you look the other way. She never asked them about that when you are outside of Syria than did you ever follow up why can't we talk about that through. You know to be honest I just thought it was just really weird at least the way it is yeah I just you know Syria was like a different planet for me as a cat you know it was like. You know in the beginning again I'd I didn't like it was a place that was really loud they smoked. Not granted it yet everyone speaks this weird linger in Arabic and I didn't like it but every single time I'd go back and that was their sporadic. Technically this is the most beautiful country and I fell more and more with. So and I got that's caution. I was like I'm for sure gonna go back to Syria it is. You know that's the streets of Damascus like how old you know I can just. You know do the smell of the threat cooking you know that the smell of that the spices in the market that the how would genuine people argue you don't get that anywhere in the world. I was like that's it I'm calling for share and then you're watching and can't springs spread the and what do you think. And lions. You know being in Dahab 'cause I was closely working with urgency at doing some research with them. Seeing it and having all my friends be and in the media as journalists covering it. It was both exciting you. And and scary as well you know some of my friends would go to Egypt cover him they talk about you know getting Pedersen hunting. But at no no I thought it was inspiring but at no point tonight in the early stages of the Arab Spring that I can come nasseria. You know I've talked to my parents simply can you match in this coming this year that no way no way and that snow no way yet. And then when they conflict started when the uprising began in England. Aside started cracking down harder and harder what were you thinking. Load it happened. I was there. For a little vacation to seeing my Graham and they said the first there was like some. Protests that were happening inside Damascus and number fifteen some something like an I was actually it's time I was there. And then we were told that all the people who are purchasing up and they crackdown and its act. So I went back to and then a few weeks later as Miami. The few weeks later was there spring and started march 15. So we watched you know so carefully through. And I was panic you know because I was planning a trip to. To see my gram in my hand for her birthday it offers. So I was just watching intensely ample one was when. Environment where I think it was and a march where the President Bush and has that came Allen was like. You know that these people that are protesting it's a and witnesses you know a joke and working to be more money and Long Island six he had. And you know obviously that was really. That was on that was you know such and that was the point where I was like this can account. You know people are not that stupid. To follow. Such. You know speeches are senators you know. It was it was empty words basically. Regardless I ended up going to Syria for the last time and that was that was it was April 1. For about two weeks and to opulent and that was. The last women visited. And it and then it's really sad you know it's really sad that my other grandmother passed away just a couple months ago and we know it doesn't know it could very helping them bury her in Damascus because you know we can't and took a country. The agents in the last sixty years now. How do you process patent nailing a you have Freel memories in those streets you have. Real people you can put on the ground in some of those places. How do you watch what's unfolding. On television screens and an on your phone. And Cuddy reconcile. Hurricane. I can't. I wake up every morning with pictures that does touch and my from. A you know in the beginning you tried to you don't want to believe. And you distance yourself. A and you know it's better just to hear the numbers not seen the face. Because that he's there. But when you hear like this is somebody who's. You know mother passed passed children past he hits closer who. Because your life act could have been somebody acts of in my. Got more and more intense and I think this. What was the turning point actually for me of when I went from listening to the news. About Syria and and really just listening it's you know anybody way to actively working on Syria. Was I ended a moving to the violence I lived in Dubai and ended up in. Doing a campaign that. To raise money for the white helmets the women rescue workers and allowed. So I told my donors. If you give me you know 151000 to it to buy this ambulance for for these you know heroes essentially. In return on climbed Kilimanjaro. So we ended up doing it this was to one knee fourteenth when he 15100. And by I climbed Kilimanjaro and honor the way comments. And that it's higher experience of crime in the mountain. It's such the mountain is physically exhausting. But what's even harder is the mental challenged the and every time I bought my body wanted to but of course but my mind you know was that was dictating what I what I did and didn't do. So my mind would say OK I want a quick clip and then I was like. I'm doing this had a choice. But there the people of my parents might that the homeland. Are fleeing violence with no choice. You know it's about was literally what punishment the top. You know thinking about women and children to flee them that are running with you know and I was well prepared with Kirin and and you know Porter isn't it had not. But those people don't. You know you see people that were fleeing you know the border with. A bag. With everything that they can fit in that back and and barely any food and water and crossing for hopefully about life. Let's look at it. The ministry pokey done. I to QE at this point earlier but you'd you have helped to resettle. Right some some refugees in your home state of Arizona come what if that process like what is it like when. And when a failing arrives here. As you say they have nothing but the things that they can Cary. And her in a completely foreign land with absolutely no roots or Thais were context or more certainty. Them in their future what is your role what is that like for them and what you can. And so. It's to be a refugee is probably the loop one of the hardest things you can experience. I mean these people aren't being uprooted from their homes to a foreign country where they don't speak the language. So I think one of the most important things for her. To help refugees socially Syrian refugees. Is. You know the community the Syrian community Arizona wanted to give a you know many things you know there are there are ready to give them furniture and clothes and stuff and we did this huge holiday drive where you know with touch 6000 lives of people that wanted to donate to do which is great and the holiday program there is this one. Syrian refugees from hunt's. And you know a fan this for this American family came to the home to them all these Katzenberg. And they do a TV and some Xbox to their children and and they gave them like in all the things that material that they they need it here materialistic things. And the guy sat and I will never forget he's. You know you might have given me a thousand dollars worth of things and I'm so grateful for it. But the most expensive thing that you gave me tonight. Was your friendship. Because it's you know tomorrow that these these things compares these things can be destroyed and roads and but my friendship my our relationship to something that you can never take away from me. You know Norris not a dry eye in the room because it was so powerful. And I think. That is the most. At aek Athens has when you start living for. When you start living for this the space of lake giving and and being you know really investing in relationships. And not buying the things you know not living in this materialistic world really like investing in people who I think use. You experience. Such joy. You know and I think that's what we got that whole experience for the holiday trip that's what people felt the group he know it was it was not you know. They brought. President's in April these things. To these Syrian refugee families every weekend but. It was the most reckless thing to see. People just building Richardson hugging and not speaking a word of the same language but. You know you a hug trans translates here you know smile transcends any language or any bear. When. Still many. There are so many others who have never come into contact will never come into contact with. Refugee fan me. Don't know what that experience is like and then and then you hear the way the conversation windows brand on the national level. So we have a president. An administration. That is basically called. She refugees a potential Trojan horse might that there's a national securities link right we've explicitly attempted to ban and specifically Syrian refugees right indefinitely. From entering. When it becomes a kind of a political football like that how you patty changed the conversation because that everyone has an aching right very strong one. About this. Right. Think what it should be our responsibility as Americans. Is go meet a huge. Let's take the time to go meet them see what their life and you know meet their children just hear from them. Because I think that they were making something sound so scary because we don't now. And a lot of the people that we're in this this holiday drive that we had. A lot of Americans who have no experience with ever meaning. Syrian him when he met and they were like. Them so much like math. Loudly he another story is. Of what they had to go through its it was something I can't even found them done. You know and I think that broke down this barrier you know of of what. You know the scary Syrian refugees on the idea of it but once you see and you see these you know three year old kids laughing in and playing with toys. You know you you don't you can't think of anything out. But there is that it. As created it would be probably logistically impossible right how many millions of people who may hold these views or hold those fears. Actually have a chance to meet someone face to face and it. At the heart of all of this we were talking about refugees. And a lot of your complete immigration and refugees and we have to understand refugee status is a very specific thing highly vetted. The most of that it of our folks who gets it and terror. America but that moral obligations what we're talking about for people who don't think America has that moral application. Where do you begin with them. I think it's important for them to really dig deep within themselves and asked themselves you know. What what are the things they want as a human. You know and they want the basic things you know they wanna feed their families they want to have children they want that you know make sure they have live in a safe home. And when they ask these themselves these things they have to realize that their people. Elsewhere in the world like. First of all your neighbor wants same thing right. So OK so then you go from neighbor you're the next state wants the same thing right so then why is that any different than the next country over. And then the next country over and then you look at the world like every human on this planet wants the same thing for their family. You know and I think that's the part wary where people meet to look at. And they may feet and say that may be willing but why is it my responsibility. To use our tax dollars to use our resource is our energy potentially compromise our safety even as apps in a statistical evidence and any about a half. But when when that argument is mead. There's you know thing this sort of the compassion there year different degree in this conversation. How do you break through it because that's that's what's at stake right right of course. As much as I I for those people back that cannot seat. And they lacked compassion empathy for what these people have gone through. What I tell them is that if you hate you don't open your doors of these people and these people are neglected and other countries. Unfortunately. You know. When you when you don't give people opportunities. And you know you're talking about a child who lets it lost his parents. And he's in the middle of you know a neighboring country of Syria and he lost everything he has. No way to get an education no. Future potential getting a job board Tammy. That child. Is. He knows soul much more likely. You know to be vulnerable. To let's say a group a terrorist organization says Kong will give you all the security that you need. Using it's actually in our national secure it comes you want to help of course. Bring these children bring these children and give them home let them feel love let them feel that that you know that what America's values are. Because once the war and since Syria every single Sunday Syrian refugee wants to go back to their country. Every single one I've talked have said. I love America I of love what they what this country has done. American people are in the nicest people American people are so in the nicest people we've government but we want to go back to our. Our home. Let's list of it for. Second because if if you come to a place where you are welcomed. And you you'd make a life as he hacked to write if the circumstances demand you just happen to you find a way to earn a living you get your kids in school. You make a community rights human beings to we do look we make it work wherever we are. Who knows what's gonna happen on the ground in theory there it at this point there's no clear policy from any of the interested and involved parties. We don't know when that comparable and I think what scares a lot of people here for those who are prone to those kind to fears is that. Why would anyone leave here when you have a good life here tenure here. That temporary status argument doesn't really resonate right here yet we're talking about making people Americans are talking about bringing the man in creating a home for them minds already seated. What I say to these two. I want to believe it is. Let them dig a little bit further back to their ancestry and it can. In and we all came from threatening to Americans. And that's what's beautiful America we have such rich diapers in speech and that is what you need us so powerful. You know that somebody from a foreign land can come into this country and the compasses and and built something that helps the country becomes either. Mean that's that's a beautiful thing and why would take away from other people. What do you think America should be doing when it comes to earn our involvement as a countries there. Terms as refugees in terms of our policy now Billy. Refugees and we need to really focus on. Changing. The way we speak you know I can use them from leaders in you know we need to. It's it hurts us when we close the doors on on nations. It really doesn't mean that's that's extremely I'm scared when when that happened because. People could retaliate. You know it's it's people who want to exploit those kinds that Asians anyway dry so I think that we need to change. The way that we are speaking about the most vulnerable people. You know that is so important and you can come from the top there and what he when he here aren't leaders say. You know we welcome and welcome those that want to comment needs that are the most liberal people in the world. You know we have the right programs will you you know it's it's the way heat it's the way you say you know again like said the refugees. I'm program is one the most vetted and programs that you know that there is that's out there and it's it's one to two year process. So yeah I mean just just being a little bit more gentle birth to those people who literally seen house. And terms of our policy. I mean do you agree with it this isn't it to launch airstrikes. It's then. Six almost seven years we're Voshon assets has dropped barrel bombs. Has dropped landmines has dropped. Phosphorus. In a chlorine. Searing gas and has killed more than half knowing people. You know and this is the first time. That any nation has even slapped his hand for doing. I think its descent of very very strong message it was it was small but it was very very harmful and eat it. Keating President Obama should've done more of courts of course what would you like to scenes 2014 I think he should. He demeanor the you know he said the Red Line everyone held him accountable that I had and he pulled away and I am I understand that it might be some circumstances that we're unaware of on the how complicated it is but. I mean if he of that if Obama has an Obama. Just a topped one you know there's air base just like trumped it I think it would have changed the complete. Situation on the ground from then to now you know from then it's became one of the worst refugee crisis. Since the cold wars so. And it's only getting worse do you think that we should launch more strikes do you think that we should become more militarily involved. We weren't we're attacking ice you know. So that's not even a question I think. But unfortunately I says so in essence. Work to get. So why is it even a question. When we think about attacking. Them. You know if you look at the numbers statistically speaking half a million people. Have been killed in this war around 90%. Of the killings have been from asset. Have been from Darryl bombs. So yeah what we did. When we attacks. That the air base in Syria who want to nine acre air strikes. Was only one tents and air bases in Syria who. One tent and the next day there a few airplanes that took off from it. So has. You know I mean if you really are concerned about refugee crisis and your route concerned about. Security. National security in the future then it's really important that you. Have people feel safe on their own country. You know and then again most their attacks are from the sky so get rid of an option. You know let's get rid of all their air bases. So they can't drop bombs on children. EU an end your attic if you work in your your work to grow awareness you your active and Tanzania Kenya as well. Howell and especially in this teenage because the conversations can happen so quickly and take on different tones very quickly as well. What is that like what kind of conversations you have with people there if you try to engage them. Oh man yeah. Yeah. Some people hired. You know it's it's really interesting when you do share stuff. I've got people that we share my things that I wouldn't of thought well that's to me as I feel like I mean the difference. If I if someone looked at my knees feet and saw a story that touched them. And they shared it and they touched more lives even that's one person I feel like I did something. You know and it's Hartford like like we talked it's hard from Italy every morning looking at my phone and looking at what's happened seeing pictures of children. And I'm you know I think a lot of activists feel like what we do. You know we're sitting in this country where you know I'm so lucky. I wake up every morning it is it is safe urged he's. You know I can open the fridge full of food without electricity running twenty for seven and running water. You you know I feel guilty. So the fact that link yes I can post something that can spread awareness. Backhand at least get one person that they like Utley. He can of the what's happening in theory is a tragedy and at least. You know give some kind of spotlight to the child that lost their lives. I think Pat's and how do you make sure people to Oakland on two. Because takes years as long as along as you well know it's a long time and eventually. People get so used it sounds so cynical to say but you know. Children and in one place for his children in another and for people who don't have contact you know someone there have it. You know at least have a tough time humanizing the rent what's happening on the ground do you make sure people don't just grow kind of numb to it. It's hard because evens hearing activists in Americans. Across the nation are currently in you know it's it's it's only you. It's only not natural right because it's it's I can't wake up every morning cry. I have to get up I have to go to O Eric and I have to get on with my day. We are I think what's really important is to have a reality check for me it's like you know this just happened what does this mean. You know and I think it comes from. Can't just being aware aware that okay there is a hundred people who were killed in a massacre and intimate. You know there was an air strike in a what does that mean how what I feel it was my brother sister mother father passed away. You know and and so for that awareness and drives meets. To move continue to work. But in terms and other people I think it's always important. When you put out messages this is to show that rip like how important it is. And show them that it's not just another child in Syria that that. Childs was he lets it only on inductees or that's and parity you know putting a face to. To a face to the people who lost I think that's really important. You call yourself an activist Terry activists what are what are you working towards. What do you want to see happening. Alone Syrian activists. I like to say that it helped sink activist his what I do is really nothing compared to it lets in my friends at the you know when when you're talking about women and men who are. Responding to suit some of the worst tragedies. In massacres you ever heard that there here. You know their absolute heroes what I am doing is just amplify the story on the ground. To what was it like to see happen Olin what I like to see happen. Me is as Lena I'd like to see people. In America. To understand what's going ons here. And to have more sympathy that's what that's what I want to raise awareness for what's going on there. In and I take everything opportunities that I. And it's Mi me completely like he couldn't just. Do you. Like toll on the person acting. And socialize them police socially awkward and I go I really like if this does consume you yeah I'm especially this summer and allow apple fall in Atlanta felt like IA people like hell and I'm like a lake. It was. It was mine you know it was it was cutting go out. You know my friend wanted to go out to borrow her at wanted to go out you know for dinner and I just. You know I kind because the conversation I just on what's up with one of my friends she told me you know what Satan my friend and I she told me. And that she was stuck in her home. That barrel bombs and missed files were going off every few seconds. And the building next to her demolished. And there are still people. Inside the rubble that are screaming for help and they can hear the sounds of children and then screaming. And there's no one. And that to me haunting me for weeks. Because every time I try to close my eyes. I heard those found. You know why I her I heard what she heard. Because I was like you know it is do you think that's fair. Do you think it's fair that might you know I got this wonderful opportunity that was without you know me doing anything. I did not do anything to be born in America. Just like you know just small wasn't you know we have no control of where we're going to be born or who are born to or who we art. And the same thing with those people on Syria they didn't choose. And I'm so you know. I guess for me and it hits closer to home because again my dad. You know was taking a train in the past his his friends that really were point two America in a fifty years ago on his like okay hungry you know I'll get a green card and he came to America I'm dollars in his pocket and give a successful businessman. You know and I was born here it's like on an American passport. You know but again it wasn't for that one particular moment in history. Mean. My life would be completely different. Seoul there's a sense of. Yes I feel lucky and I'm happy to be in this country and to say but then there's this part of me that's the guilt. In and I feel like every opportunity that I have. That I am that I'm blessed enough hits and feel safe and in this in this nation. Is that I should help others don't that aren't so. You know that don't have you know every time a plane passes by we don't think twice. But for them it's like okay that's you know whenever a sixteen. In the common and potentially. Destroyer home. You know and so I think that's really important. Per meet just. Every day that I live here every day that I am live here not only in the US but here on the planet that you make dip on a difference. You know whatever it. Mean Erica only snag her hats thank you. Thanks for being here thanks for sharing your story with the of course and Kim. Thank you for listening to and comfortable each of our episode is now available on the union at. And in as a free mobile audio app available across IOS android and windows. Downloaded for free today and listen to the latest episode of a comfortable five days before they're released. You can also find us on apple podcast Spotify that your hand and he BC news.com. And if you like we're doing take a minute leaders are reading and quick preview. Helps others to find these conversations and we really just want to hear what you think. Plus we have made it easy just click on the link in the description at this. 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