FIRENZE-NUOVA ROMA 19 March 2022 (NRom)His Holiness the Florentine-Roman Papa released the following Apostolic Letter regarding a growing form of global racism.
Despite all of the laws regarding hate crimes and all the regulations and policies against ethnic discrimination in Europe, Canada, and the United States, the Slavic people in general still find themselves without the same protection and consideration afforded to many others. This in itself shows a deep hypocrisy within the social justice framework of today.
Arbitrary targeting of others based on their heritage and ethnicity once again is widely seen in Europe, Canada, and the United States. In recent decades, it was directed against Muslims, using the attacks of 11 September 2001 as an excuse. In the past two years, it was directed against Asians, using the coronavirus pandemic as an excuse. Government, the media, and even society at large condemned those sentiments and actions.
Now it is Russophobia that is seen, using the military conflict in Ukraine as an excuse. Yet in this case, it is fueled by statements and actions of media, government, and society. Echoing the actions against Muslims and Asians, but arguably to a much higher level, Russians and people of Russian heritage in Europe and the United States have been widely targeted for discrimination, harassment, theft, vandalism, threats, and other teenager-like, emotionally driven, acts fueled by hate and ignorance. Jobs have been lost, property vandalized, rent raised, businesses boycotted, and more, simply based on ethnicity.
Ironically, many of the people targeted by this Russophobia are in fact Ukrainian – the very people in whose favour these bigots claim to be acting. This underscores the fallacy and small-minded nature of taking action against others based on their real or perceived ethnicity or based on their real or perceived associations and beliefs. Those who preach freedom betray their own hypocrisy through their hate-filled actions. Those who claim love of humanity, but single out part of God’s diversity of humanity again betray their own hypocrisy.
Those who engage in or silently tolerate this current round of bigotry should consider the following: Before it was the Muslims. Then it was the Asians. Now it is the Russians and those perceived to be Russian. In a society that tolerates bigotry, next time it may be you and your culture that society decides to target. Then who will stand for you?