Sweden handling swell of refugees

I respond to the Sunday letter “Refugee problem real in Sweden” from Jeff Groom and the Saturday letter “Sweden’s crime surge is real” from Cary Kozberg. I spend significant time in Sweden every year, and witness firsthand the efforts of many Swedes to support the newcomers.

The Swedish Democratic Party is, despite the name, a neo-Nazi Party, initiated during the 1980s, with one focus on intimidating the Swedes with Jewish background. SD has since expanded its target to include both the Jewish Swedes and new immigrants.

The European Union, like the United States, consists of many states with limited border control. Thus, a variety of immigrants were able to enter Sweden. The majority are refugees, many educated and middle class. Very few, if any, are potential terrorists. Sweden’s immigration authorities have an enormous task sorting this out. This unfortunately creates long waits and frustration for the refugees, before they know if they can stay.

They are provided with shelter, health care, language help and cultural training, as well as schools for the kids. Major obstacles are language deficits, and cultural differences.

In Sweden, women and men are regarded as equals. Many Muslim men see themselves as superior to women. Such a prominent cultural difference can create problems in a western society.

On the positive side, many new jobs have been created to manage the situation.

Sweden is a small country that has accepted a disproportionate number of immigrants compared with other nations. No one could have anticipated the staggering number of refugees and huge humanitarian need generated in such a short time.

Most Swedes are doing the best they can to ease their transitional challenges to life in a different country. It’s not easy, but history will show it is the right thing to do.

Birgitta Bergstrom Columbus

Betty Jacob Reynoldsburg