Unwanted: The Voyage of the St. Louis
"Sir," you interrupt, voice coming out as a squeak. You clear your throat and try again, "sir, these people need our help. Isn't extending a hand the American thing to do?"
Your protest is deafening in the stunned silence. Then another voice chimes in: a co-worker with whom you've never spoken, but whose mustache you recognize:
"I agree," he nods.
Other voices join the chorus and soon more than half the room is demanding fair treatment for the refugees.
The captain sighs and puts two fingers to his temple, and promises he'll speak again with the up-highs, to see if something can be done.
It turns out nothing can. Even if you refuse to force the boat out of the harbour, the government won't let any foot touch American soil.
Still, you hope that your gesture at least held some meaning. You wonder if somehow the refugees on the St. Louis know that at least someone is on their side. When you get home, you tell your wife and she sings your praises to the neighbours the next day, making you blush. But the story gets passed around and more voices join in the protest.
It's not enough for the ship to come back, but word comes to the people onboard the St. Louis and reignites the spark of hope in their hearts. They are not abandoned after all.
But that isn't what happened.
Your protest is deafening in the stunned silence. Then another voice chimes in: a co-worker with whom you've never spoken, but whose mustache you recognize:
"I agree," he nods.
Other voices join the chorus and soon more than half the room is demanding fair treatment for the refugees.
The captain sighs and puts two fingers to his temple, and promises he'll speak again with the up-highs, to see if something can be done.
It turns out nothing can. Even if you refuse to force the boat out of the harbour, the government won't let any foot touch American soil.
Still, you hope that your gesture at least held some meaning. You wonder if somehow the refugees on the St. Louis know that at least someone is on their side. When you get home, you tell your wife and she sings your praises to the neighbours the next day, making you blush. But the story gets passed around and more voices join in the protest.
It's not enough for the ship to come back, but word comes to the people onboard the St. Louis and reignites the spark of hope in their hearts. They are not abandoned after all.
But that isn't what happened.