* The Indivisible/Backbone Campaign’s Immigration &Refugee working group is a typical Vashon group of neighbors helping and standing up for one another. This commentary is part of a series of personal stories about “Why I Care.”

I care about refugees/immigrants because I have a deep-down basic need for justice and care for fellow humans. I care because I would not be here if this country did not let my grandfather, his mother and little sister enter when they were escaping pogroms in Poland in the early 1900s. I am proud of the words on our symbol of liberty: “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free. The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me. I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”

These words have saved so many lives and given hope to those broken and without hope. They are the basis, the core idea behind the formation of the United States of America — the inclusive, caring, open society that welcomes all and calms fears of persecution for being who you are.

I believe that we are responsible for each other, and that we are connected in this interdependent web of existence. By standing on the shoulders of my ancestors, I am in a position now to use my freedom and security to help others gain theirs.

This is the personal responsibility that I feel, but, as a nation, the U.S. has made innumerable economic decisions that have adversely affected millions of people’s lives globally. We are responsible for helping them.

I am interested in these issues because of the embarrassment I feel when those in power in my country direct racist policies toward others based on country of origin or religion.

I am embarrassed that people can decide the value of another human being. This value is so seemingly arbitrarily made and supported by those who have never had to worry because they, for the present time, look like those in power. I suppose that many of these “deciders” have never had to flee for their lives, never had to wake up with the worry about what kind of violence they or their children might experience that day, never had to go hungry for even a day.

I believe that if a human is fleeing from violence and seeking refuge, we should not offer them more violence, but open arms and care because they deserve support when they need it. Maybe they will help me or someone I love when we need it. I believe that compassion spreads. It can be contagious.

I believe strongly in the value of equity and fairness — in the inherent worth and dignity of each individual and in treating others how I would like to be treated.

I care because it feels good to help, to give others a chance.

I will go as far as to say that I feel that there is a healing hum or vibration, if you will, that is fed with all of the goodness in the universe. We can add to its depth and weight simply by the choices we make each day.

It would make sense that if the choices one makes were to cause harm to another individual, a part of this conglomeration of good would be lessened. I want to add to this, not take away from it. I believe that this universal cache of goodness is always greater than the universal cache of bad. I believe this down to my bones, no even past my bones — deep down inside in my soul. I will do what I can to get there because I have seen that the more love, kindness, decency, and integrity that we can put into this world, the more we all will get from living in it.

In the background of all of these beliefs that make up me and why I care, I can easily envision life filled with humans who are able to have joy and reach their full potential while respecting the right of others to do the same.

— Alix Clarke spent decades living and working in nine different countries, mainly as an international school teacher. She recently worked in Seattle for the Coalition for Refugees from Burma and visits (monthly) the Tacoma NW Detention Center with members of Vashon Island Unitarian Fellowship’s Immigration Study/Action Group.