JE #5

The article and Marc Silver’s documentary illustrate a horrific but true experience that is taking place on the border. Thousands of men, women and children are going missing and/or being murdered. These deaths are overlooked because their lack of citizenship makes their lives considered disposable. Their “illegal” action of trying to cross the border excuses what happens to them while they try to come over because they deserve it. What I think about most is the families missing their loved ones. Only 66% of bodies found are identified.  The other 34% will always wonder about their loved one. The video also discusses with the border becoming more militarized, more deaths will take place and separate more families.  We need immigration reform to stop these deaths, not militarization.

In Kathleen Alcalá’s Flower in the Skull, Concha migrates from Mexico to Tucson on foot, like many people migrating to the U.S. Their stories are greatly paralleled. Concha, and many immigrants, experience separation of families and only strive for a better life on the other side of the border. The Opata experience just as Mexicans migrating do; they are violently discriminated against by their oppressors. The Opata travel towards the Tecolote for a better life, just as Mexican immigrants travel to America. During their travels, the Opata endure violence and death, which is a reality for Mexicans migrating. Even if/when they arrive at Tecolote/America, these communities still experience violence and discrimination. Immigration communities have and unfortunately will always be discriminated against by their oppressors, on either side of the border, but especially while crossing it.