Amy,

The salutation bothers you? I believe that is your issue and yours alone.

I will stand by my earlier comment and with good reason as stated previously. As someone who has close friends who’s families are living in fear due to the current administration. This is unacceptable and some would say callous.

These individuals are the children of undocumented who came into the USA over 20 years ago. Presently my friend serves in the US Army and is married to a green card holder. They will not leave their children, even for a minute for fear that they will be detained and deported, leaving their kids in an untenable situation. My friend is soon to be deployed again to serve this country in Afghanistan for the 3rd time, imagine his emotional state knowing that while he is deployed, his entire family could be deported and his children placed in social services.

Or another close family friend who operates a family farm that sponsors H2B visas for workers. He presently is fearful for his employees and has witnessed and intervened to stop the outright depravity they have endured since this election became final.

Then add in the arson of a local mosque and whose congregation are now taking self defense classes since they fear for their personal safety. Or the needless killings in Kansas this week, based on race and heritage.

I fail to see the humor in mocking or other of any religion, nationality or heritage.

Until you have witnessed and lived first hand the outright and needless fear that is a result of the current administration, you will not comprehend. Hearing about it and living it are two completely different universes.

I would strongly suggest you go spend a week living with your “students families” and experience what their daily lives are like since the EO was signed and write an article about the experience. Maybe then you will be enlightened.

Empathy is about standing in someone else’s shoes, feeling with his or her heart, seeing with his or her eyes. Not only is empathy hard to outsource and automate, but it makes the world a better place.