Written: February 25, 2021
Extremism gets our attention.
 
At least in the arena of political communication, this is true. In fact, three academicians recently combed through 46,218 news transcripts and determined that, not surprisingly, “ideologically extreme politicians get more airtime” than their more centrist colleagues.
 
But this is not an email about how we, the majority and often less extreme, need to clamor for more air time.
 
This is an email about what, in my opinion, is worth going to extremes to pursue. Because, if we’re going to go to the edges that define extremism, we want it to be a worthwhile journey. So, this is an email that simply poses a few questions for your consideration:
 
Can we decide to love people to the extreme?

Can we decide to welcome others—particularly the most unwelcomed among us—to the extreme?

Can we decide to invest in opportunities for those who have suffered an extreme lack of opportunity to work enough, to learn enough, to eat enough, to breathe enough to not only survive but to thrive?

Can we decide that extreme love and welcome and opportunity are worth whatever it takes?
 
Okay, now that we’ve considered these questions (and we here at Refuge are committed to ongoing wrestling with these and more), we can think about all the other kinds of extremism out there. But I’m guessing we won’t have much time left over to go there. 

Because of you, Refuge is emboldened to go to extremes on behalf of our refugee and immigrant friends. Will you consider joining us by making a gift, either monthly or once, to extreme welcome? 

Extremely grateful for you, 
Kitti