In response to "The Border Patrol State" by Leslie Marmon Silko, there were some things I could definitely side with her on, but then there were other perspectives that I disagreed with her on.
Of course, I had sympathy with her for the fact that since she is an Arizona citizen, it seems ridiculous and quite frustrating that she has to be stopped on the road, questioned about her legality, and interrogated to make her feel like some sort of criminal. I can only imagine how frustrated I would be to be an American citizen and be questioned of my intent or nationality when I knew true to myself that I was a legal United States citizen. It would upset me very much to be untrusted and violated by border patrol men who pursued looking in my car and searching me with a dog.
On the other hand, although, being a white American citizen who was born and raised in Texas, I am very much so supportive on the border patrol process. Living so close to the Mexico border, and knowing there are many hispanic immigrants who try to enter the United States illegally with bad intentions as to be involved with drugs or cause harm or danger through crimes in my country, I definitely feel a sense of security from there being strict border patrol and feel that it is a necessary evil in order to run a successful and safe country. I know there are many immigrants coming into America with good intentions, but there are also many who do not have good intentions. After the terrorist attacks on our country in 2001, I feel all Americans are sketchy with immigrants of other nationalities and feel it is only fair and safe to keep strict laws on entering the country, whether it be at the airport, or on highways in states that border Mexico. It is the only way to be fair to everyone immigrating and the only way to be fair to Americans who just want to feel safe in their home states and not feel like dangerous people are crossing over the border care free with bad intentions.
So what about white American-born terrorists like Timothy McVeigh (the 1995 Oklahoma City bomber)? He was already in the country and didn't have to cross any borders. Aren't people like him more dangerous than the Mexicans coming over to work and get education?
ReplyDeleteWell like I said, immigrants coming to America for work and education aren't the ones who pose as a threat. But we as a country can't differentiate between the good and bad just by looking at them so we have to follow a common procedure for all who cross the border in order to be fair and consistent.
ReplyDelete