I don't know what to think, but it makes me sad
She was arrested last night after a year of hiding out. A year of making television and newspaper headlines, a symbol of the conflict in this country regarding undocumented immigrants. (A CNN report is here).
Admitedly I really do not know what to think. Except the way this country is going about it seems all wrong and inhumane. I realize that she has broken the law in the way she came here and lived. I also realize that desperate people do desperate things. And it seems so narrowly focused to make this about people who are just trying to have a chance at living a healthy life. I was appaled at one response on television which went something like, "Good. One down, thirteen million to go." We are a country built on the despair, the sorrow of people looking for a new life, new hope, a chance. So. It seems to me we ought to go about this differently.
For instance. Why not consider how we can work to help make living conditions in Mexico, and othe countrys, more sustainable and healthy. That way people won't feel desperate and take risks doing illegal things. Why not encourage the global market to pay people in Mexico a living wage. Boycott companies that take advantage of poor people. Why not buy only Fair Trade products so that farmers and artists and others make a living wage. Yes, buying Fair Trade costs more, so, we can buy less but buy better.
That's just one tiny example I am aware of. I know the situation is complex. But we are minimizing it and redirecting the real problem when make a scandal out of the life and choices on individuals. The real issue is so much bigger, deeper, entrenched, and involves all of us. I think we are all contributing to the cause of undocumented immigrants. We are all to blame with the way we live - the food we eat, the clothes we buy, the market industry we support.
I don't know what should happen to this woman, her son, and others like them. In my heart I think we are being too tough on her and others. But many people I know feel other wise, and have good arguments for doing things the legal way. I know I live by my heart and with compassion. I know am on the side of women and children and the marginalized. I'm an idealist and an optimist. I feel like we have so much in this country and sometimes we are just too selfish and self serving.
Mostly though I think that if we want to solve the problem of Illegal Immigrants, then let's get at the real heart of the problem. Let's take a cold hard look at the global enconomy, world industry, and how we choose to spend our money. I wonder if that would make the headlines?
Comments
I'm so sad, too, because poverty and a desire to have a better life have had a face with Elvira Arellano. When a commentator suggests "One down...." he or she is making the issue faceless.
Not good.
and making the problem "faceless" is the tragedy and why I think she has tried to make it "personal" - about a real person(s)...
Once we know people face to face, like JESUS did, we become invested at a deeper level. At least that has been my experience.
I wonder if GG's husband's suggestion would promote the Mexican people to rise up to make their own country a better, more humane place to live. And how could we help them do that?
Also heard this a.m. that now that Congress is on summer hiatus, the administration has approved Mexican trucks free and clear access, without inspection, to any place in the U.S. This goes against our own trucking industry, which is hurting along with lots of others.
Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services (LIRS) had a good statement on Immigration reform... another blogger referenced it.. I'll try to find it and link to it.
They made veiled hints about supposed improprieties in his past, but offered nothing he could respond to. His employer was in the process of advocating for him.
This happened a couple of years ago.
He had a good job and a house in Stillwater. One of his children was a citizen. His girls had almost no memories of Mexico.
My dh btw was an econ person in college and has been in the corporate world for 30 years. He is not a starry-eyed economic liberal. Unfettered (almost) capitalism at work is what he sees as the potential for Mexico and Central America, not the bogus version we have now that benefits American executives and American consumers at the expense of American AND Mexican workers.
"At a distance, our enemies are cartoons--simple, two-dimensional characters with only loathsome traits and evil intent. Up close, they become human--complex, three-dimensional figures with ordinary qualities that help put their loathsome traits and evil intent into perspective."
--Columnist Eric Zorn
He was talking about enemies of the U.S. Although it doesn't exactly pertain to illegal immigrants, especially about "evil intent"--Still, the concept of getting closer to the individual, so he/she is not a stereotype, is a good one.
Thank you for your thoughtful essay.
jan, that is a wonderful quote from Eric Zorn. thanks for sharing it.
I probably will preach this, but I may not use this situation as the example..although I could use it as one of several examples...
hum...how to say the truth and be heard when you serve an a-political congregation - one that always says "no church and state issues, don't be political..."