Coloring Injustice
I just recently heard about the Design Your Portion of the Border Fence Campaign sponsored by the Reform Institute. At first, it seemed to be an interesting concept. People were to create art to speak their minds about the border wall.
Then, I visited the site. Here’s the phrase that I just can’t get out of my head: “If there has to be a fence built along the border, shouldn’t it at least be pretty?”
That’s when I realized that this is just another superficial action disguised as awareness building. It’s like Kyle says over at Citizen Orange: “… contributing would have acknowledged or legitimized the construction of a border wall along the southern U.S. border.”
Where is the outrage? Where is the compassion? The unity? How can we talk about building a pretty wall along the border when what is really at stake here are people’s lives, international relations and cross-cultural understanding? This is not a game. It is neither amusing nor entertaining. A pretty border wall??? So that when we finally evolve enough to tear it down we can sell pieces of it on eBay? So that we can disguise the intolerance and racism that this wall perpetrates behind witty, colorful images and words?
The example the Institute gives on the website is a huge sign that says, “Now leaving California. hasta la vista baby!”
Now, with all that being said, the grand prize winner did have an important message. Here’s what Dan Mitteer had to say about his piece:
Throughout history, mankind has acknowledged the ideas that walls and fences, or any boundaries really, create when erected. Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, Robert Frost, and others have all made objections to the ideological foundations that walls are built upon. Our nation is attempting with a fence something similar to placing a hand over a water leak–if people are determined enough to get to America, they will regardless of a simple structure in their paths. Let’s “tear down this wall,” America.
You can check it out here.
Dan Mitteer
October 29th, 2007 at 3:06 am
Always great to read your stuff Ms. Morris-Heredia,
You really should try to get in touch with me at some point. I’m glad that you expanded upon this because you picked up a lot of things I didn’t. Things like that questionable phrase, and Dan Mitteer’s words. Like I said. Always a pleasure.
October 29th, 2007 at 12:02 pm
Thanks for that, Kyle. I really appreciate all you’ve done, and are doing, to build community and awareness. We will definitely be in touch.