In the last 16 years there have been at least 6,000 bodies found in the deserts along the Mexican border.
This image of a Border Patrol agent emptying jugs of water left for illegal immigrants in the desert has stuck with me.
Not just for the actual action, but for what it represents about people. We are going through a tumultuous time in our country, indeed in the world.
It might be a bit simplistic, but there are good people and there are bad people. It’s a sliding scale. The Border Patrol agent emptying that water might be the most loving parent in the world. But in this moment, who is he?
BTW — the Border Patrol’s official stance: “We do not condone or support the destruction or tampering with humanitarian provisions.”
I’m not going to argue the politics of immigration, this practice of leaving water, destroying the water, etc. I’m looking at it very simply: what would a good person do?
While there is much to lament about the past year, here is something I believe we have to accept, willingly or not: Trump’s presidency has ripped the fake facade off many people. It’s always been there, we’ve just hidden it.
There are those who claim they aren’t racist who have made themselves known as racist.
There are those who claim they are pious who have made themselves known as hypocrites.
There are those who claim they are honest who have made themselves known as willing to lie and accept lies.
There are those who claim they are Patriots who have made themselves known as traitors.
Harsh? Yes. But we are living in harsh times.
Originally published at bobmayer.com on January 25, 2018.
