Thoughts Over the River

My dad came to the United States illegally several times, at least once in the trunk of a car. Daniel came illegally, across the desert, tired, hungry, injured, filthy for hours, days. they have both done nothing but work hard here in the united states. Daniel, when I met him, worked endlessly and yes he sent money to mexico, most of his money, in fact and if he could have he would have sent it all. His mom had Luekemia. He paid for her treatment, she is still alive, my sons abuela.

I am parked over the L. A. River, on the bridge, there are cars speeding by. It’s raining. There is a homeless man behind me. He has carts full of recycling. He is trying to make it to the recycling center. He is probably a veteran of the war in Vietnam.

Two of my students from samo high, two of many in the same situation, in many schools, are not “legal”, but have been here since they were two and four years old, when they arrived from Oaxaca, Mexico. desperation drives people from thier countries. Look into the desperation we cause around the world. Look at the ones with government contracts, they are the ones with the money.

I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for an illegal immigrant. My sons wouldn’t be here without illegal immigration, and what is legal or illegal, when WE ARE INDIGENOUS TO THIS WHOLE CONTINENT ? It will never work to take over lands by building walls and borders. The truth of what was cannot be renamed , torn down or changed in the hearts and minds of the people. We have always been here, we will always be here.

I went to march for peace. There was a display of shoes. Used shoes. Iraqis’ shoes, shoes of Iraqis who had been killed in the war. Just regular shoes. Mens black work shoes, womens shoes, baby shoes. I wonder if those shoes were again filled with people, the men, the women the baby girl , the 30 odd pairs of shoes worn again , would you kill them yourself? Push the button? Shoot the gun? Why do we do this to our soldiers? Why? Do we want more damaged souls? These are wars of governments. We the people are the victims. We have no money, due to war, not immigrants.