The migrant caravan that has arrived at the border between Mexico and the Unites States came to our attention back in early October. Back when thousands were walking across a bridge between Guatemala and Mexico. Back when Mexican authorities were scrambling to give priority to the women and children who had made it that far. Back when tiny Mexican villages of nuns and good people were feeding and clothing those who needed care and shelter.
These are impoverished and hungry people who have determined that their lives hold no value in a crime-ridden Central-American country. Who know of no way to have work and food and housing in a homeland that offers no opportunities. People who have walked 2,500 miles across Mexico to reach a destination that offers them hatred and month after month of detention.
And we who are privileged are still sitting at home.
We should be there. In numbers greater than the caravan, we who are privileged should have arrived in Mexico at the border and mingled with them. If we had done so – ye senators and sports giants, ye progressives and protesters – chances are there would be no tear gas and no threats of lethal force.
We need a counter-caravan of humanitarian souls who are lawyers and sponsors and interpreters. People who can tend and befriend. And especially, people who are willing to stand alongside the migrants to let them know they are our kinfolk, our brothers and sisters. Our presence there would not allow the militant and the high and mighty snobs to treat the migrant throng as if they were all criminals or animals.
A feminist knows how much it means to have men marching with women and joining their causes. A young person protesting school shootings is energized by elders fighting for gun regulation. A special Olympian athlete is empowered by the presence of able-bodied and mentally fit supporters.
We who are privileged are having some trouble understanding this. With a response rate slower than cold molasses running uphill in January, we are still sitting at home when our presence is needed in this migrant caravan and so many other places.
Living as equals means standing alongside those being oppressed and marginalized, lifting them up to a place where they, too, belong.
Susanna Saunders
July 20, 2019 5:54 amThat picture of the caravan of humanity is so moving. It shows people in real desperation, mass migration. Fear.
And the thought of this being played out again and again in every continent is shocking. Frightening. For what it means for humanity. For humanities future.
In the years to come climate change will cause mass migrations due to food and water shortages, famines, droughts. Starvation. War will be a norm for these dwindling essential resources.
If people don’t understand now that we need globalisation, that we are a global village of one people, humanity will destroy itself. Period.
I dread what is to come. But I dread the fear of a divided humanity even more!
Robert
November 30, 2018 2:48 amI’ve never posted anything on my facebook page, Susan. Not a big fan of facebook as just dont have the time (or in many cases, the interest!). But, this concise article of your’s was just so spot-on!
It actually makes me realize how I squandered my retirement years in not doing enough. While I did do my share of volunteer board time and raised money for local charities, in the overall view, not enough. Even my volunteering for several overseas trips with Global Volunteers was not enough. Now, alas, my traveling is reduced to flying in extra-seat room flights to/from Colorado. I just don’t have the energy to do much else.
I booked Scott and I on a cruise to Rome/N Africa/Spain for Christmas back in April when I had several months of feeling better. Alas, that came to a crashing halt in June when I stupidly went on several 25 mile bike trips in CO using my electronic pedal-assist bike. Overdid it and now Scott is wondering if I can really make this cruise. I cannot tell him that this might be the last real trip we do together other than CO as he thinks I have all the time in the world left. THAT topic I can explore maybe in the future.
I regret I do not have the ability, energy-wise, to do as you suggest in your article. I had a flashback to August 1963 when I was discussing with my parents the March on Washington and the fact that white people were just not doing enough to help the cause of civil rights for blacks (or Negroes as we called them then). I recall my father saying something to the effect that if I cared that much, why didn’t I do something, like attend the March. Of course, the fact that I wasn’t old enough yet to drive nor had any money was not the point. I do recall — all these decades later — a degree of shame I felt in knowing my father was right. Hopefully, at least, in this particular area, I have in fact done something.
Keep those articles coming! Rob