As the crisis in the Middle East unfolds, I cannot help but think of how blessed I am to live in San Antonio. Similarly, I am grateful that San Antonio is home to many thousands of people who made the choice to call themselves San Antonians.
Many of them chose San Antonio seeking opportunities denied them in their countries of origin. Many came here to escape conflict, violence and hate. They chose San Antonio because we offered them something they had not experienced before: kindness, compassion, safety, respect for cultural differences and dignity.
When these families needed it the most, this city embraced them in its compassionate arms. Every day, this city blankets them with acceptance and offers opportunities for them and their children. During difficult times, San Antonio comes to their aid. And in good times, San Antonio is there to celebrate their success.
As a member of City Council, I have the frequent pleasure of visiting with families from every corner of the planet. They never run out of expressions of gratitude for San Antonio. But this month, I have engaged in very difficult conversations with members of our Jewish, Muslim and Asian communities about their very real and understandable fears.
Because of the carnage we are witnessing in the Middle East, these San Antonians are living in genuine dread. They fear that the anti-Jewish and anti-Muslim hate that is playing out in other cities will be experienced in San Antonio. They are scared that this hate will result in real injuries to their families, homes, places of worship and businesses.
These San Antonians have told me, through tears and sobs, that they stay up at night wondering if someone is planning to graffiti their storefronts the way bigoted vandals attacked The Noodle Tree restaurant in 2021. Many of our Jewish and Muslim neighbors are gripped with dread that someone will again tag their mosques and synagogues with swastikas. Our Sikh community fears that they will be targeted again for their turbans and beards.
I have spent many hours reassuring these San Antonians that, as their elected councilman, I will not tolerate any targeting of my neighbors because of their religion, nationality, ethnicity or the color of their skin. I have promised them that their city continues to be a safe place for their children and that I know that San Antonio Police Chief William McManus, Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar and District Attorney Joe Gonzales will aggressively respond to any threats or harassment.
Also, I remind them that their fellow San Antonians are the front-line protectors of our anxious neighbors’ right to live free of harassment. I reassure them that when one of us sees someone in need of aid, we aren’t afraid to step up. We look out for each other because we place a higher value on what unites us than on what separates us. Now, more than ever, when we see something, we must say something. I urge you to be vigilant.
What I love most about this city is that we are all San Antonians first. We actively live our values of compassion and kindness. And in my San Antonio, the definition of “us” is much broader than the definition of “them.”
But this only works when we remember our guiding principle: community for everyone and everyone for community. Together, we can stand up to hate. Together, we can keep one another safe. Together, we can ensure that San Antonio remains a place of compassion — a place for all.
