Change narrative on refugees

The eyes of the world are focused on the situation in Syria and rightfully so.

The events in Syria have the potential to reshape the world order. I would suggest that America consider the subject of Syrian refugees with that as a backdrop.

The issue thus far has been between those who want to slam our borders shut in the name of national security and those who feel that the United States has an obligation to bear some of the burden created by the Syrian diaspora.

I would like to offer a third perspective for approaching this topic. Opportunity.

Refugee relocation is providing an opportunity that we could not have imagined and now have stumbled upon. One of the areas where ISIS thrives is in control of the narrative. They portray the United States as an imperialist bully whose capitalistic appetites are only matched by its diminished standards of morality.

In the Syrian refugee crisis lies an opportunity for America to reshape this narrative. By providing an environment where refugees can experience relative safety, new opportunities, and a higher quality of life, the United States stands poised to allow tens of thousands of Middle Eastern families a window to see America in a different way.

By taking on this opportunity, America can benefit from integrating diverse cultures into our society and by introducing a new perspective to our Syrian brethren. This approach has the potential to influence events in the Middle East far more than just military intervention alone.

This story was originally published December 7, 2015 at 3:47 PM with the headline "Change narrative on refugees."