Article May 14, 2001 Issue

Beyond face, race, nationality—God

How learning about other cultures proved to be a promise rather than a threat.

By Suzanne Becker

"My parents told me that we would be flying to Jordan [from Iraq] for the weekend to see family. I packed only a few things for the short trip. I was 13 years old. I have not been back to Iraq since I left with my mother and father and two smaller sisters for that weekend trip ten years ago."

I sat stunned as this bright, energetic college student shared the story of her father's determination to emigrate his family safely to America.

A long, well-planned effort to escape what he saw as the dangers of life in their homeland and to find adequate medical care for their youngest daughter had led to this moment. He could not risk his children's knowing they would not be returning; any indication of their plans to emigrate would have placed their lives at risk.

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