A Wall That Divides

It’s true what they say about San Diego…it is an absolutely amazing city. Right downtown there is a billboard that self-boasts “America’s Finest City.” This claim is hard to doubt taking into account the amazing weather, beautiful beaches, and rich history. One thing I especially enjoyed about San Diego was the spanish/hispanic influence on the city. This is one place where your average “English-Only” opponents of immigration could not really make a big fuss. San Diego, along with many other cities along the California coast, was founded as a Catholic mission by Spanish priests in the 1500’s. Far before the west coast knew any Anglo culture at all, Spain was exerting her influence across this land. These classic Spanish elements have blended with their younger cultural cousins, the Hispanics, to create a very fun city where cheap taco stands are far easier to find than little-league baseball teams or apple pie. Most people probably would not think of San Diego as a border town, but that is indeed what has contributed too much of her identity. About 20 miles south of downtown San Diego is Tijuana Mexico, or as the locals call it, “TJ.”

This was the first time that I have ever walked across an international border, and it was one of the most interesting and thought-provoking things I have done yet on this trip. Leaving the American side of the border, I saw stores like Costco, Ross, Toys-R-Us, 7-Eleven. I saw nice cars driving on nice streets with no potholes or trash; I saw streetlights, I saw nice looking people wearing nice looking clothes spending their nice looking green dollars. I saw wealth incarnate. Crossing the border, many things were crossing going through my mind. Did you know that Mexico and the US have the highest economic gap of any two contiguous countries in the history of the world!? Just imagine that. Many from Tijuana have come to the United States, leaving the rest to look across the border at a family of Jones's they can never keep up with.

When I finally reached Mexico, I was amazed at what a border can keep out and keep in. At its most basic definition, a national border is just an imaginary line…a man-made tool to divide and claim ownership. Here I am on the other side of the border. I see stores like Tacos Deliciosas, Farmacia Bety, Bar y Discoteca Mi Tijuana. I see broken up cobblestone streets worn down from the taxis, and buses transporting the masses that rely on public transportation. I see beggars, and street kids playing soccer. I see poverty incarnate. It is amazing to see what this imaginary line can divide. The change that I experienced walking a few hundred feet was so drastic it was almost nauseating. Things do not naturally stop at preset lines like many expect them to. This violent division of culture and economy seemed so artificial, so forced, so unnecessary. It was Luke’s first time in Mexico and he made the comment that, “This border is more economic than anything else.” The Spanish language and culture is a part of our national fabric, and it continues to seep disseminate across the entire United States. This border is not chiefly one of language or even culture; it is one of dollars and pesos. It is exactly this division that fuels immigration into our nation…and my personal opinion is that until someone sees the other side of the argument, they should reserve judgment. Cultures and border-towns are much more complicated than convenient campaign rhetoric. Talk of “safe borders and deportation seem to ignore the families and human beings that are looking for the same standard of living we somehow think we deserve, but these people do not. In my four hours spent in the beautiful city of Tijuana, I was convinced even more of the idiocy of a plan to build a wall across the entire Mexican border. Aside from being completely impractical, this idea reeks of ethnocentrism and fear. It kind of makes me think of the kids in 1^st grade that gets mad, takes his toy back, and goes to sit at another lunch table right after he yelled, “We aren’t friends anymore.” Frankly, I think this country is just a little more mature than such an idea.

I have a question for America. What are you afraid of? Are you afraid of new ideas, different languages, or darker skin? Are you afraid of change? Are you afraid that someone will threaten your wealth? There are many fears to choose from. There are also fears on the Mexican side. A fear of poverty. A fear to not have enough food on the table. A fear to not have the medicine needed. A fear of being lost in the wake of their northern neighbors. There are many fears to choose from…that is why these men and women are building your houses, watering your lawns, and making your food.

I would like to close this reflection with some lines from a song by the very famous Mexican band Los Tigres Del Norte. In this song entitled El Muro, (the wall) these artists comment on the American idea of a border wall:

Oiga señor presidente (Hey Mr. President)
Mejor construya un puente (It would be better to build a bridge)
que somos aquí mucha gente (Because there is a lot of our people here)
Y gente inteligente (And these people are smart)

Así cono nos ve en el campo (The same way you see us in the country)
También nos ve en las oficinas ( You also see us in the offices)
Y usted sabe que nos necesita (And you know that you need us)
En su equipo y asta en la cocina (On your side, and even in the kitchen)

El muro el muro, el muro, que duro (The wall, the wall, how hard)
que duro lo brinca solo el canguro (How hard, only a kangaroo could jump over it)
Lo brinca solo el canguro (Only a kangaroo could jump over it)

A todos los jefes de estados (To all the bosses of the States)
Les enviamos este urgente recado (We send to you this urgent message)
que eduquen a sus pueblos (That you educate all your towns)
Para que mejoren sus sueldo (So they can improve their wages)

que quiten todos los muros (May you tear down all the walls)
que se habrán las fronteras (And open up the borders)
que podamos conocernos (So we may know eachother)
Y cambiar nuestras ideas (And change our ideas)

Respetemos y abramos los corazones (We need to respect one another and open our hearts)
que los muros de la mente (Because the walls of the mind)
son el peligro inminente (Are the most imminent danger)

El muro (el muro, el muro que duro)
que duro (lo brinca solo el canguro)
Lo brinca solo el canguro