The refugee crisis has bought our the worst in us

That photo of Aylan Kurdi's little body washed up on a Turkish beach broke my heart. But it's one of many stories that have broken my heart since Bush and Blair started a war in the Middle East.

What's more heartbreaking is people's reaction to it. There is genuine anger and to be honest, their arguments are born from ignorance. It's all about looking after our own... Our own being human beings? How do you define who should get help and who shouldn't? Surely people who are fleeing their own countries because their own government (supported and armed by the West) and ISIS (radicalised through American detention camps) are using incendiary and chemical weapons on them should scoot to the top of the priority list.

War isn't about democracy. It's about money. America has been entering and perpetuating wars since WWI because the Federal Reserve makes a lot of profit from the government, arms deals and exploiting local resources. That's why Western governments and UN don't have exit strategies.

War brings out the worst in people. Whether they're in Westminster wringing their hands, in the Bank of England with Pound signs in their eyes, boots on the ground shooting innocent people or Joe Public berating refugees who are risking everything for a safer life.

They're not thinking about the generations of people who will be mentally traumatised by all the anguish, stress, bereavement and fear they endure on a daily basis. Their homes falling around their ears while they sleep. Or the lack of education, healthcare, utilities and personal freedoms.

When I was 13, despite being bilingual I was too scared to speak Greek to my own family. I was still hiding in my mum's apron and dreamt of being Claudia in the Babysitter's Club. This 13 year old can speak at least 2 languages fluently, he's left his home and family to cross borders of alien and hostile countries and survives day-by-day not knowing what's going to happen, where he's going or where his next meal will come from. Why don't we want these people - who can only benefit us.

First published 06/11/2015