Let’s talk: Is there a difference between WW2 refugees and today’s refugees?

When we talk about World War 2 survivors we remember the struggles and poverty thousands of people across Europe battled in the face of Hitler’s regime.

People who were sent to concentration camps, or removed from their families for years on end, or forced to flee their home country over fears of being persecuted for their religion.

When we talk about refugees around the world and in Australia today though, it often draws a different set of arguments and a fair bit of anger.

Many people are uncomfortable with the amount of refugees in Australia and the huge influx of refugees across Europe has caused riots and major protests.

So why is there such a difference of opinion between WW2 refugees and today’s refugees?

The idea of refugees from the Middle East coming into Australia has many people worried. There is a fear that it will cause problems for our society and many say they worry about the risk of terrorism filtering through into Australia.

Others though, point out that the influx of immigrants into Australia after WW2 was actually good for the country’s culture and economy and helped us to become a more open and accepting society.

A group of WW2 survivors teamed up with charity CARE to write letters and send packages to young refugees from Syria to show their support and solidarity.

The survivors, who are now in their seventies and eighties, say they understand how hard it is to be a young child and be forced witness the atrocities of war first hand.

A video by Mashable shows the children opening their letters and being overcome with tears as they read the kind words from a stranger who knows exactly how they feel.

The video has made some people reconsider how they think about refugees coming into Australia, with some saying they had never thought about the comparison between WW2 refugees and today’s.

Today we’d like to know your opinion on this issue.

Let’s talk: Do you think there is a difference between WW2 refugees and today’s refugees from the Middle East? Why are more accepting of European refugees from WW2 than they are of today’s refugees?

Watch the Mashable and CARE video below.

Do you think there is a difference between WW2 refugees and today’s refugees? Why are some people are more accepting of European refugees from WW2 than they are of today’s refugees?