Communion

As we were listening to speakers at the No Ban, No Wall protest in Austin we tried to retreat to the shade of a large tree near the middle of the crowd.  It was a very interesting mix of people who had come together to speak with one voice against what was happening in America.  We stood next to a Muslim family and of course, Lucretia introduced herself.  There was some language difficulty but smiles translate in every language.  They were very friendly and we felt that they appreciated being "seen" by us in this large group.  As the speeches rolled on, one of the ladies reached in her bag and brought out a container of snacks including vegetables and small bites of cheese.  As they shared these between themselves they turned and offered some to us.  It made us feel accepted like family and of course we accepted their hospitality.

Lucretia has told of this as an instance of communion with a family that we will not forget.  May we remember to always be as welcoming to others as they were to us.

No Ban, No Wall

As we learned about DACA and Asylum seekers the country was also beset with the trauma of a Presidential order that banned immigration from Muslem countries for those who had already been cleared by U.S. immigration authorities.  These were individuals with previous background checks and families to receive them.  At the same time threats were being made to build a wall on the border with Mexico.

Calls for protest went out to activists across Texas for a protest at the capitol in Austin.  Lucretia and I had thought about going, but to travel to Austin and fight traffic downtown seemed too daunting.  That was before I was awakened during the night with images of what our country would look like if we followed through with banning Muslims and Central Americans because of our fear of them.  I woke up and wrote down my thoughts.

 The reality that we could face the kind of hatred against foreigners that Hitler had stirred up against Jewish people prompted me to suggest that we had to do something!  Lucretia was easily persuaded and we were on our way to protest in Austin.

Once we got to the capitol we met a loose organization of people who were drawn there for the same reasons.  We had to voice our concerns.  Among the crowds were various organizations.  Congressional representatives, local politicians, and people of all colors joined to chant and declare "No Ban, No Walls".  We were appalled at what was being witnessed at airports as passengers were being detained and sent back.  Lawyers spoke of what they say and how many of them stepped up to represent those who needed them.  It was a call to action for all of us.

What might the forced removal of the undocumented look like?

My vision of what forced removal of the undocumented might look like has changed recently. I’ve been hearing more and more about not only this possibility but this reality. I had trouble describing who these “undocumented” are? To me they are kids that I’ve watched growing up. They are the parents or brothers and sisters of these kids. They are people who have blessed me by including me into their community.

Now I see news reports showing wives crying over their husbands being removed from them. I see the fear in the expressions of friends who get texts reporting ICE raids near their homes. I watch as they quickly call to their families to spread the word. I hear of conversations going on at home when a documented mother of 6 kids born in the states explains to them that her paperwork for a renewal is delayed. Now she might face deportation if pulled over for a traffic ticket or broken tail light.

People are getting scared. They cry as they ask for assurance that things will be OK. But what can we say to them? They hear __ “Get ‘em outta here!” Don’t worry. We are only talking about the “bad” ones. But the lines become less clear as I hear about undocumented families from Central America being detained for over a year in facilities that resemble the camps for Japanese internment during WWII. Yes, and I heard about the MS13 gangs being arrested. These becomes the faces of “undocumented” that gets seen instead of those I know.

Ok, I missed that description before. “undocumented” equals “criminal aliens”. That is how it is framed. That is how it begins. History is being repeated. How was it different in 1940 when people began using labels for displaced Jews or Gypsies who didn’t fit in to Christian Germany. They became blamed for economic or societal downturns. It would be better if they were removed from the neighborhood. Round them up and lock them up. Call them “aliens” and then if they don’t comply with all your laws they are “criminal aliens”.

It is different now, right? We are only going after the bad guys. Or we are blocking refugees from war torn areas because there might be bad dudes among them. We will clean the streets of all the gangs and drugs and violence by targeting the bad guys. And if you look like them or have an accent or dress like them then you can go too. The hatred that is stirred up in this movement spills out into racial battles and burning of mosques and desecration of Jewish cemeteries and hate crimes. Hate breeds hate.

I can’t be quiet in this. I was thinking that my friends from Mexico needed my help in some way. I realized that we are also affected deeply by all of this rhetoric. How much more will we all be affected as families are torn apart or hide in fear that they will be next? If I speak out will I be labeled also? Probably. If I remain silent do I forfeit the freedoms and values that I hold. Liberty and justice for all! Love your neighbor as yourself!