Outcry Over South African Afrikaners: The Left’s Complicated Stance on Asylum

A recent influx of 59 South African Afrikaners seeking asylum in the U.S. has triggered outrage from Left-leaning commentators and political figures. Concerns about their race overshadow discussions of their need for protection against violence and persecution in South Africa. This reaction highlights a troubling inconsistency in how refugees are valued based on race, raising alarms about selective compassion within the asylum discourse.
A recent influx of South African refugees to the U.S. has sparked intense debate, particularly from some on the Left. A tiny group, just 59, received asylum following an executive order from former President Trump. One might expect a welcoming response, given that Democrats often present themselves as champions of refugee rights, but that’s not the case this time.
In fact, numerous left-leaning commentators and politicians have expressed significant discontent. They argue emphatically against the arrival of these individuals, who are predominantly white Afrikaners. This outcry is, frankly, puzzling considering that during Biden’s administration, staggering numbers of unvetted asylum-seekers entered the country. So, why the outrage over only 59?
The Episcopal Church even announced it would cut ties with the government on refugee resettlement, citing a commitment to racial justice, while walking away from potential millions in support. It’s curious that a church focused on aiding marginalized communities would turn down help.
The discomfort surrounding these refugees is apparent. Commentators have made it clear that their identities—a factor that seems to weigh heavily in the unfolding discussion—do not fit the narrative that many on the Left want to promote. As stated by former Rep. Donna Edwards on MSNBC, their whiteness is a significant factor in how they are perceived.
Ashley Allison, former director for the Biden campaign, added a twist when confronted about the Afrikaners’ plight. When asked why they should go to other countries, she quipped they could “go back to Germany,” ignoring the historical context of their presence in South Africa since the 17th century.
Senator Chris Van Hollen illustrated the contradiction in left-wing thinking: How can they support some refugees while opposing others based on skin color? He cast a harsh light on the current administration’s policies by claiming it’s emblematic of a broader global apartheid policy.
There are profound security issues at play too. Reports indicate rising violence against Afrikaners in South Africa, including racially motivated attacks. Countries don’t simply send their citizens fleeing persecution back into danger; that’s not how asylum works. Alarmingly, the South African government has even hinted at land confiscation from white landowners, framing it as reparations.
The ruling party in South Africa claims that there are “no Afrikaner refugees,” but it’s hard to understand why they wouldn’t let these people leave if that were genuinely the case. Their statements suggest a desire to maintain control rather than addressing the issue of safety for these refugees.
The refusal by some to acknowledge the legitimate fear and hardship faced by these individuals reflects a deeper issue within the Left’s approach to race and victimhood. Instead of extending empathy, they’re broadcasting their ideological biases, suggesting that to assist these people would be, somehow, a betrayal of social justice principles.
This situation demonstrates a troubling inconsistency: the Left claims a commitment to helping refugees but actively resists support for white Afrikaners fleeing violence and persecution. It isn’t just an oversight; it’s a clear exposition of their selective compassion regarding race in asylum policies.
Ultimately, this incident raises essential questions about who is deemed worthy of aid and who is not. The discourse surrounding the Afrikaners showcases, quite starkly, that when it comes to asylum, for some—it seems—the unspoken rule is that whites need not apply.
The arrival of South African Afrikaners in the U.S. has ignited significant backlash from the Left, who seem uncomfortable with aiding white refugees. Critics argue that these individuals are undeserving of asylum due to their race, raising troubling implications about the Left’s selective approach to refugee assistance. The ongoing debate hints at a broader issue of accountability and ideological biases in discussions around race and refugee status. This situation underscores a growing division on how we view hardship and who we feel compassion for in turbulent times.
Original Source: www.dailysignal.com