I am not afraid of families fleeing war-torn countries; I am afraid of the dangerous lack of gun safety laws.

I am not afraid of people who observe a different religion than I do; I am afraid of those who see this world in terms of “us versus them.”

I do not want to reinstitute Roosevelt’s internment camps; I want to remember his stirring message: “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”

I do not admire the bullying words of thugs masquerading as GOP politicians; I am inspired by the inspiring actions of leaders such as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada and Gov. Kate Brown of Oregon who are welcoming Syrian refugees.

I am not afraid of open hearts; I am afraid of closed minds.

Victoria Cohen, Farmington