If you ever doubted the power of words, read the words in the executive order signed by Donald Trump on January 27th, the words that restricted immigration from seven Muslim-majority countries, the words that suspended the immigration of all refugees for 120 days, and the words that barred all Syrian refugees indefinitely.  Just a few words on a page, but enough to spread confusion, hatred and fear within the US and far beyond its borders.

Let’s be clear.  Words matter.  Facts matter.  Truth matters.  We have a duty, not just to use words precisely, but to deploy them for what’s right, to use their undeniable power for those who have no power and for those whose words go unheard and ignored.

I’ve spent my entire working life in publishing, the world of words.  That work has taken me all over the Muslim world, to Iran, Iraq, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and many other countries.  It has been a privilege, a privilege underpinned by a basic human right, to travel freely regardless of my beliefs and nationality.

Let’s use the right words to call this executive order what it is: racist, immoral, hateful, wrong.  Let’s keep shouting these simple words as loudly and as often as we can.