Scottdale should be ashamed
Imagine, if you will, three women: a grandmother, mother and daughter; a seamstress, dentist and student, survive religious persecution for being Christians in Syria, suffer the loss of many family members at the hands of radical Muslims, endure the vetting process, get to come to America. They settle in a small, quiet southwestern Pennsylvania town and hope to find work and make it their home.
They are met with hatred, discrimination and abuse. They cannot find work. They are accused of being the very same religion as those who murdered their family members in Syria.
I am saddened and ashamed of the people of Scottdale. I am ashamed that people do not realize that there are three major religions in the Middle-East, as well as several non-radical Muslim sects. I am ashamed that teachers and community leaders did not, apparently, step in to welcome these women and to educate the citizens of Scottdale.
When these women leave, it will be a loss for Scottdale and a stain on their integrity. After all these women have endured, it is truly shameful that they find Scottdale unsafe, hateful and unlivable and are considering returning to the Middle East rather than staying here.
Deborah Mains
Uniontown