Issues Under Fire: #WhereAreTheChildren, Humanity Demands An Answer
When I left on Friday, I promised when I returned, I would share what I'd learned of how global conquest, empire building, imperialism, and colonialism were rooted in racism. I planned to explain how the mindset of some of those of European descent concluded eons ago that the God they prayed to gave them this world to own and rule as they pleased. I planned to present irrefutable evidence of how this mindset provided the foundation and justification for racial and social injustice in America. However, I was so determined to tell this story, I didn't notice Friday last, was Missing Children's Day. When I became aware that many of the children whose parents crossed the border illegally were taken by U.S. authorities and are now missing, I felt this issue was far more pressing. Besides, the issue of racism has plagued this country since its inception and America is not going to change anytime soon. So, when I heard former GOP Senator Rick Santorum smugly and arrogantly state the crisis of missing migrant children was mere hyperbole, meant to create an issue, I realized I had to reprioritize my efforts.
The Federal government says this issue of missing children is not its responsibility. Agents of this government maintain they're only following the law when they separate children from their parents after detaining families for entering the country illegally. In their view, Homeland Security and border officials are only doing their jobs to protect America. Apparently, protecting innocent children from the horrible possibilities is of no concern. Once they've arrested and incarcerated the offending adult and placed their children into the care, custody, and control of total strangers, whatever happens to those children is someone else's problem. Apparently, these people (and I use the term loosely) can divorce themselves from a powerless mother's pain and anguish when her children are taken from her and she's suddenly confronted with the possibility of never seeing them again. So my question is, who is responsible?
These children could be arguably the most vulnerable people in the world. For all we know, they could be falling prey to child molesters, pedophiles, sex traffickers. When I recall some of the stories I've covered concerning the fates and life outcomes of those unfortunate enough to be placed in foster care, I shudder to imagine what some of these children could be facing. While many foster care parents are good people with good hearts and good intentions, many others become foster parents for all the wrong reasons. Some do it for the money. Others do it to gain access to children to exploit them. Many of these evil people understand, those responsible for monitoring the care of these children are often overwhelmed with caseloads and underpaid for their efforts. So, what's a mother to think when she asks her detainers where her children are and if they're safe?
Any parent worth a damn would want assurances their child is being treated properly. They'd want to know if their children are getting enough food. They'd want to know if their children are in good health. They'd want to know if their children are going to school and getting good grades. They'd want to know if their children are in a loving, caring environment. And most importantly, they want to know if their children are happy. But how can these detained parents know any of these things, when the authorities don't even know where the Hell these children are? How can these detained parents know anything for certain when their jailers clearly don't give a sh*t. As far as those charged with securing the border are concerned, these parents broke the law and this is the price they'll pay. And the price from this observer's perspective is cruel and inhumane punishment.
One can only wonder what a detained mother feels when no one knows or can tell her the whereabouts of her child. One can only imagine what that mother goes through month after month wondering when or if she'll ever get a call just to hear her child's voice. I say this as a man so concerned for the health and well-being of my two daughters, I could trust no childcare provider or facility with that responsibility for very long. I eventually had to sacrifice my career path in order to raise and protect them myself. Viewing them as a part of my legacy, I could do no less. So, I for one can feel the anguish of these women like few others may. Therefore, I can not simply turn the channel, let alone turn away.
So far, the person considering himself the President of the United States is pointing his finger at the Democrats for the plight of these migrant children who've been lost in the system. But, it was Donald Trump's Attorney General who stood before cameras and reporters and warned migrants they'd be jailed and their children would be taken away if they dared to cross America's border illegally. No matter what they were fleeing, or who were persecuting them, this was U.S. policy going forward. When I heard this new edict being rolled out, I didn't know what to think, but I knew it would turn out badly. So, to blame the victims for what might be happening to their missing children is unconscionable. After all, the minute the United States took these children from their parents, the United States became responsible for their care and protection.
Bottom line: America proclaims it was founded on Judeo-Christian values, and that may be true. But from my observations and experiences, this country has morphed into something more akin to pure unadulterated evil than even the hardest of hearts could envision. Now, I'm well aware my recent writings could give one the impression I've become anti-American. I, on the other hand, would vehemently disagree. I would argue my values and principles are very much in line with what America is thought to stand for. I would argue it was America that changed, I simply refused to agree with that change. And BTW, this problem is not uniquely American. The issue of missing migrant and refugee children is on the rise in Europe too. It's just that America claims to be better than others. Podcast below.
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