Banksy's new mural of Steve Jobs brings attention to Syrian crisis

Banksy reminds that Steve Jobs was the son of a Syrian migrant who moved to America after World War II.

A new mural created by the anonymous street artist Banksy appeared overnight in a refugee camp in Calais, France on Dec. 11. The mural shows late technology entrepreneur Steve Jobs carrying a bag of things slung over his back, and an early Apple computer in his other hand. Jobs looks straight at observers and he appears as if he might run at any moment.

The mural comes amidst fear and general ignorance surrounding the Syrian crisis. While political officials and numerous Americans speak out against President Obama’s plan to allow 10,000 Syrians into the United States because it “takes only one” Islamic State terrorist to come through, Banksy seems to show that denying refugees escape from the crisis could also mean denying the world of a great mind. He also reminds that Steve Jobs was the son of a Syrian migrant who moved to America after World War II.

Banksy released a rare statement to the public about the mural:

“We’re often led to believe migration is a drain on the country’s resources but Steve Jobs was the son of a Syrian migrant. Apple is the world’s most profitable company, it pays over $7 billion a year in taxes–and it only exists because they allowed in a young man from Homs.”

Jobs’ father, Abdulfattah “John” Jandali went to school in America and later married Jobs’ biological mother. The couple later gave their son up for adoption. Though he did not help raise Jobs, some call him a “father of invention.”

The refugee camp in Calais also uses dismantled pieces from Banksy’s recent “Dismaland” exhibition as building materials for the camp. The camp is also known as “The Jungle” and houses 5,000 migrants.

*originally published at the now defunct Examiner.com