• ARGUS History
  • Join The ARGUS
  • Advertise With Us
  • ARGUSnewsnow
  • Contact
  • ARGUS H.E.A.L
Wednesday, May 14, 2025
  • Login
St. Louis Argus
  • HOME
  • NewsWatch
    • St. Louis City
    • Community
    • Politics
    • Education
    • National
    • World
  • A Closer Look
    • Opinion
  • Events
  • the vibe
    • Art & Entertainment
    • Beauty, Wellness and Fashion
    • Books
    • Education
    • Entertainment
    • Fashion
    • Harris Stowe
    • Food
    • Health
    • HBCUs
    • Sports
      • Black College Sports
      • High School
      • St. Louis Cardinals
  • National
  • E-Editions
  • The Narrative Matters
  • Video
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
  • HOME
  • NewsWatch
    • St. Louis City
    • Community
    • Politics
    • Education
    • National
    • World
  • A Closer Look
    • Opinion
  • Events
  • the vibe
    • Art & Entertainment
    • Beauty, Wellness and Fashion
    • Books
    • Education
    • Entertainment
    • Fashion
    • Harris Stowe
    • Food
    • Health
    • HBCUs
    • Sports
      • Black College Sports
      • High School
      • St. Louis Cardinals
  • National
  • E-Editions
  • The Narrative Matters
  • Video
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
St. Louis Argus
No Result
View All Result

Ukraine, Refugees and Racism

John Warren by John Warren
April 24, 2022
in Opinion
Home Opinion
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on LinkedinShare with Email

by Dr. John E. Warren of The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint

ayers and support are with the people of Ukraine. No one should suffer such violence and loss in what is supposed to be a civilized global society. We as members of humanity are doing the right thing in providing support for all we can help. 

But there is also an even greater tragedy occurring which we have seen played out repeatedly in the midst of human suffering and loss. That tragedy is the one of “racism” and we see its presence in the midst of this war. 

First, the incidents of African students residing in the Ukraine being denied departures even though they have been waiting as long as the Ukrainians. The reason given: Ukraine citizens first. The test of citizenship, the color of the skin of those seeking to leave. The Nigerian mother and her daughter who waited just as long as the White Ukraine mother should not have been denied exit because she was Black. 

The 1700 Black students in the Ukraine should not be denied exit because they are students or Black, when such tests have not applied to any \Ukraines other than the men being required to report for military service between the ages of 18 and 60. 

Next, we see the President of Ukraine put out a call for military help in terms of manpower to fight the Russians. Would-be fighters from several African countries seek to volunteer as “mercenaries” but are told they must pay $1000.00 and get visas in order to come to the Ukraine. Reason given: the fee is for airfare and visas to neighboring countries since they can’t fly directly into the Ukraine. But none of this became an issue until Africans volunteered. As if Africans were not alone, a number of students from India, some in medical school, have also complained of being denied transportation to make room for “White” Ukrainian citizens when all were waiting equally for transportation. This is racism. 

It is interesting to see how the European (white) world appears to have no limits on the outpouring of housing, food, clothing, and every need that such refugees are having. 

This is truly the humanitarian thing to do. But where was the same level of outpouring for the Afghan people when America pulled out or, even closer, how is it that at the 

Mexican/American border of San Diego, California and Tijuana that Haitians who have been waiting, some as long as two to three years, are still denied refugee status under the same Title 42 used by President Trump to keep people out? It now appears that border officials have some discretionary authority under that very law, which is now being used to admit Ukrainian refugees who have made it to the very same Mexican border where Haitian and other refugees are still waiting to cross. Here is the pattern of racism: in the Ukraine, if you are Black, you are denied exit. At the Mexico/American border, if you are Black, you are denied entrance because the Ukraine refugees can go ahead of you in the line. The common factor in all these cases is the racism of putting white refugees ahead of people of color for no reason other than the color of their skin. 

Here we sit in America with White Republican lawmakers blocking dollars for Child Tax Credits which will help working families; universal school lunch funding expiring; and the failure to fund so many things needed by the American people seeking to exit the pandemic, but we appear to have funds with no limit for Ukraine. We should help them, but “charity starts at home and then spreads abroad”. 

If we are going to provide global help, and we should, then let’s make sure that we have policies that treat all fairly without making the color of one’s skin the determining factor in establishing their humanity. Something to really think about.

Post Views: 105

Related Posts

A Closer Look

A Mother’s Day Tribute: Legacy of Love

May 8, 2025
Opinion

Breaking the Wonder Woman Complex: From Exhaustion to Purposeful Living

May 4, 2025
Columnists

Cancer Support Group: My Observation as a Bystander

April 26, 2025
A Closer Look

Why Our Ancestors Matter Now More Than Ever

April 19, 2025
Health

Health Opinion: My Radiotherapy Story

April 17, 2025
A Closer Look

Opinion: Why We Returned to the city of St. Louis: Embracing Our Roots

March 29, 2025
Next Post

The Type of Critical Race Theory We Really Need

No Result
View All Result

Latest News

OurStory: Amazing Facts about Black Pioneers

May 14, 2025

OurStory: Freedom House: The Untold Story of America’s First Black Paramedics

May 14, 2025

St. Louis Argus Hosts First Annual Fashion Show at City Hall 

May 14, 2025
Facebook Twitter Instagram
  • ARGUS History
  • Join The ARGUS
  • Advertise With Us
  • ARGUSnewsnow
  • Contact
  • ARGUS H.E.A.L

© 2025 JNews - Premium WordPress news & magazine theme by Jegtheme.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

No Result
View All Result
  • HOME
  • NewsWatch
    • St. Louis City
    • Community
    • Politics
    • Education
    • National
    • World
  • A Closer Look
    • Opinion
  • Events
  • the vibe
    • Art & Entertainment
    • Beauty, Wellness and Fashion
    • Books
    • Education
    • Entertainment
    • Fashion
    • Harris Stowe
    • Food
    • Health
    • HBCUs
    • Sports
      • Black College Sports
      • High School
      • St. Louis Cardinals
  • National
  • E-Editions
  • The Narrative Matters
  • Video
  • Contact

© 2025 JNews - Premium WordPress news & magazine theme by Jegtheme.