What is love?

Well, it’s not just a Haddaway song from the 90’s, but rather a legitimate question that I feel everybody should ask themselves. With the recent ban on individuals from predominantly Muslim countries entering America, and since February, the month of affection, is upon us, I feel it’s time to talk about the idea of loving people.

Hate and discrimination are things that are an inescapable part of being a human. Throughout history, the worst events play out because of our feelings towards other people. The extermination of Native Americans by Columbus, slavery, Japanese internment camps in the 40’s, Jim Crow laws, the Holocaust, are all examples of dark moments in human history. Today, it seems that we are on the verge yet again of airing on the wrong side of history.

As many already know, President Donald Trump has proposed a ban on travelers coming from seven primarily-Muslim countries, notably Syria. He cites that many of the affected areas are hotbeds of terrorism, and articulates a concern that US security measures are not strong enough to catch potential terrorists entering America. The administration’s “Muslim ban” policy has been nullified by a federal court on the grounds that it violates the US Constitution by creating a religious test for individuals entering America. Even with the policy temporarily blocked, it is evident that American values are changing. This is why we should all look beyond our political views towards the one common thing that unites us as humans: love.

The fact I’m using the dreaded L word may seem cheesy, but I feel it’s an important word. Love, after all, isn’t just a verb; it’s also an idea. An all encompassing value we are taught as children to care for others. Whether it’s our parents telling us to be kind to our classmates, or a pastor telling us to “Love thy neighbor,” it seems that everyone should know how to act like a decent human being.

I work in a drug store. Most of the customers that come in to get their medications are older people. Every now and again, some customers will start talking about our president, and most of these people who talk to me are actually in favor of the travel ban on Muslims that he has tried to implement. An older lady, for example, said “President Trump is going to straighten us out.” Some of my co-workers even added to this discussion. I talked to one co-worker after seeing the movie Patriot’s Day, which centers on the Boston bombings. I described the movie to her, and she proceeded to talk about President Trump. “He is trying to keep things like the bombing from happening. This is why there’s a ban, because many people who come into this country aren’t coming here for the right reasons.”

There’s a quote that comes back to me about disliking the things we can’t understand. Many non- Muslims don’t understand the religion of Islam, and with groups like ISIS who claim to represent Islam, yet end up preaching hateful, untruthful words, it’s understandable that some people may be in favor of a Muslim ban. However, one of my close friends, who follows a different religion than mine, once told me that “we are still people.” These words hit deep, because while Muslims may follow a different religion, and while we may not understand it, we need to know that at the end of the day we are all humans.

These people who want to come into our country are, not surprisingly, people. They are flesh and bone. They’ve felt the joys of a first kiss. They care for their families. They live, breath, and sleep, just like we do. The fact that they follow a religion that is so misinterpreted by the media does not excuse our bigotry. More importantly, it does not support the argument that there should be a ban on Muslims from entering the U.S.

One of the areas that is most affected by the ban is Syria, which has been in the midst of a civil war for years. Many people are fleeing this war torn state, and they desperately need a home. Many countries in Europe have already accepted refugees, so why can’t we? There should be a shred of common decency in the hearts of our politicians and leaders. If European countries like Germany and France can recognize that these are people who deserve a safe home, why can’t the Trump Administration?

In a month dedicated to love and caring, I feel America should step up to the plate. What is love? Well, it’s a mix of things. It’s looking out for our fellow human beings, and caring for them. We should push away the walls of discrimination based on religion, and instead embrace the idea that makes us, well, us: love.