Millions of migrants seeking asylum in Europe face hostility, racism and red tape, which moved John Oliver to do an admittedly tiny thing for one of them, with the help of actors from ‘One Life to Live.’ If you’re wondering how soap opera actors can help someone who has left home seeking asylum, hold on, it’s a story which twisted even my jaded whiskers into the smile of a porcelain Chinese restaurant cat.
It’s nearly impossible to wrap the mind around the sheer number of people seeking asylum, hundreds of thousands in Europe and four million already in Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan! One country is truly rolling out the welcome mat. Germany has cheerfully taken in over 800,000 in true ‘mi casa, su casa’ style. The Netherlands, Hungary and Denmark are getting coal in their stockings this year. You’ll see a Hungarian camerawoman who needs a dose of nun-slapping (forget Papal love), as she trips a man with a child, and repeatedly kicks small children with glee! Figures show that those countries will be the losers financially, far from being overtaxed by refugees, those who take them in will prosper.
I often wonder why the perception of refugees is so negative, emotional and uninformed among people commenting online in the USA. This Fox news’ report about the refugees may explain it. Fox raises fear that to offer sanctuary is to open the doors to terrorists. The film shown features terrifying Muslim militants chanting “Allah Akbar!” For this bit of propaganda, Fox brushed cobwebs off of completely unrelated footage from 2010. Shame on them!
John was particularly moved by a 16-year-old Syrian girl who had taught herself English – which puts many of us to shame, by watching her favorite soap, ‘Days of Our Lives.’ Noujain Mustaffa, is sunny and optimistic even after the harrowing trip, and the added burden of a wheelchair, but she is only bummed about one thing. Her favorite character EJ died in the soap; so John Oliver set about to remedy that little detail, and create a surprise for her.
In this delightful – ‘must see’ clip, EJ is resurrected- in fantastic, classic soap opera-style. But – fantasy ends right after EJ assures Sammi; “Coming back from the dead, that’s not hard.” When he resumes, saying; ” You know what’s hard – getting from Syria to Germany.” the rest of the tale is as bizarre as his resurrection, certainly harrowing, but completely non-fiction for millions who face unfathomable obstacles and danger.
.In fact, it may be the first true story EJ has told Sammi while in character, and the hardest to believe!
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