Like all critters, people are forced into situations where they must leave their current setting in search of more fertile opportunities elsewhere. This is seen daily across the world, in places like Darfur or Gaza as refugees leave war-torn countrysides. War, however, is not the only type of oppression people wish to flee from in search of greener pastures. Economic oppression can force many to make dangerous and life-changing migrations over hundreds of miles with little more than that which they carry on their backs. There are potent examples of such migrants here in the southwest, who will risk their lives for the welfare of their family and community who could not displace themselves. Hundreds of people succumb to their journeys every year, perishing needlessly in the heat of the desert, on the tracks of north-bound trains, crossing rivers, and confrontations with gangs and smugglers (people smugglers, that is). All of this is exemplified by the travesty of lost lives here in Southern Arizona. As the summer progresses and the temperatures rise people are dying daily trying to reach the green fields of El Norte. According to crossingRisk, on the 4th of July there is an 87% chance that someone, somewhere will die attempting the human migration into the states. That's because the temperatures are predicted to reach upwards of 110 degrees in the baking sun.
I'll be thinking about this as I make my migration tomorrow. I am not journeying through treacherous deserts; nor am I venturing to navigate a swollen river. I am also not leaving my home and community with little prospect of return within a reasonable time. I am going TO my home and family in PA. I'll be cutting through the stratosphere tucked away in the belly of a 747 and arriving just hours after I leave my house here in Tucson. Not as epic as some journeys. Not really a grand migration either.
At least it'll be cooler up home.
The Man Behind the Keyboard
I Know Where You're From
4 comments:
Hey Dave - nice blog! Except for the whole centipede eating a mouse thing - NASTY!!
Recently I was noticing an ad campaign about refugees on our el trains. I forget the organization that sponsors the ads, but they say things like, roughly: "Imagine if you were rushing to catch this train to escape being killed instead of to escape being late," and "If you think it's hard to escape the rat race, try escaping a war zone." Not very pithy, but the point is a good one.
Right now I am a refugee from sleep. Does that make sense? Probably not because I am so exhausted. You get the point. We took Edie to a food festival and fireworks yesterday - it was fun to a point but she had trouble eating under the big blanket I'm obligated to cover my boobs with in public. On that note, safe travels!
I realized that the centipede eating the mouse was indeed nasty, but I had a twofold purpose. 1) to learn how to post videos from youtube and 2) try in vain to keep with the whole "critter" theme. I'm not sure I like the whole bit I've chosen to work with for my first blog, but it is a valuable blogging/learning experience. I was inspired by my friend Matt out in AZ who started a blog about his new pet chickens. I figured there's no better way to learn how to blog than by jumping right into the blogosphere. Maybe I'll mix it up eventually. I do like the picture at the bottom though.
I like the centipede. Well at least in a thematic sort of way. Will you be posting about Pennsylvania critters as well? You know, box elder bugs and the like?
Your blog keeps getting better and better! Your older articles are not as good as newer ones you have a lot more creativity and originality now keep it up!
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