I don’t often talk about being an immigrant, at least not in any way that could be construed as serious. I rarely write about myself because my personal life, frankly, is none of your business.
At the beginning of the pandemic I adopted the word "perspective" as my guide word. As a woman nearing 70 I have kept this word close by. From reading your post and the letter from young Gabi now held In detention again I am struck by how much importance this thing - perspective - holds for everyone throughout all our lives. Circumstances may seem identical for two people however what ends up governing our response to life circumstances is our perspective.
I am certain that the little girlfriend Columbia in detention, the agents working at the detention center, a MAGA supporter and I probably have very different ideas of Gabi's reality. We all also likely have very different ideas about what needs to be done and the urgency of her situation.
I think this is a terrible situation that needs IMMEDIATE attention. No child should be facing this uncertainty and lack of simple human respect in such conditions as are described as normal for most detainees.
And yet I know there are those who see nothing wrong with this detention and justify the cruelty as well as any other problems being experienced as a justified outcome for being here "undocumented". But IS Gabi undocumented? Because far too many immigrants have been pulled out of the system they were complying with to help meet a quota which only helps dehumanize immigrants more easily...
And I apologize for an old lady's babbling but I'm left wondering how so many people have developed their perspectives where cruelty and inhumane treatment of others becomes acceptable if the others aren't from the right ethnic backgrounds.
And why do I have a completely different perspective and believe that ICE must actually conduct whatever actions required by immigration laws be administered with kindness and compassion.
And locking up children alone in cages without support or access to family, in unsanitary conditions, without clean water and decent food and basic respect from guards... THIS situation Gabi is trying to endure will leave a lasting impression upon her young and still developing psyche making her vulnerable in many ways that may be exploited down the road...
And to what end are we putting Gabi through this terrible experience? What benefit is there from detaining this 14 year old child ? I see nothing good but others with different perspectives have and will tell me I don't understand...
I pray everyday that those Americans who have been influenced by the MAGA movement and their information warfare tactics will be shown that any actions taken without respect, compassion and empathy will end badly for all concerned. And I hope somehow they will gain a different perspective than the one that allows them to treat others as they are treating little Gabi.
the arbitrariness of it all is crazy-making. thank you for sharing this
thank you for reading <3 it literally makes me feel insane
thank you for writing this
rachel! thank you for reading <3
Writing something so complex in such an effortless way!
!!! huge compliment, thank you so much :’)
beautifully written and real, spoke to a lot I also feel as someone who got naturalized as a teen. Ty Gaby <3
thank you for reading <3 <3 i’m so happy to hear it resonated!!
Really good.
thank you liam :)
At the beginning of the pandemic I adopted the word "perspective" as my guide word. As a woman nearing 70 I have kept this word close by. From reading your post and the letter from young Gabi now held In detention again I am struck by how much importance this thing - perspective - holds for everyone throughout all our lives. Circumstances may seem identical for two people however what ends up governing our response to life circumstances is our perspective.
I am certain that the little girlfriend Columbia in detention, the agents working at the detention center, a MAGA supporter and I probably have very different ideas of Gabi's reality. We all also likely have very different ideas about what needs to be done and the urgency of her situation.
I think this is a terrible situation that needs IMMEDIATE attention. No child should be facing this uncertainty and lack of simple human respect in such conditions as are described as normal for most detainees.
And yet I know there are those who see nothing wrong with this detention and justify the cruelty as well as any other problems being experienced as a justified outcome for being here "undocumented". But IS Gabi undocumented? Because far too many immigrants have been pulled out of the system they were complying with to help meet a quota which only helps dehumanize immigrants more easily...
And I apologize for an old lady's babbling but I'm left wondering how so many people have developed their perspectives where cruelty and inhumane treatment of others becomes acceptable if the others aren't from the right ethnic backgrounds.
And why do I have a completely different perspective and believe that ICE must actually conduct whatever actions required by immigration laws be administered with kindness and compassion.
And locking up children alone in cages without support or access to family, in unsanitary conditions, without clean water and decent food and basic respect from guards... THIS situation Gabi is trying to endure will leave a lasting impression upon her young and still developing psyche making her vulnerable in many ways that may be exploited down the road...
And to what end are we putting Gabi through this terrible experience? What benefit is there from detaining this 14 year old child ? I see nothing good but others with different perspectives have and will tell me I don't understand...
I pray everyday that those Americans who have been influenced by the MAGA movement and their information warfare tactics will be shown that any actions taken without respect, compassion and empathy will end badly for all concerned. And I hope somehow they will gain a different perspective than the one that allows them to treat others as they are treating little Gabi.
her mother really does appear to be a prostitute and i think it's disingenuous to cover that up
Is she getting legal help?
So cruel 💔
9 years old and detained. WTAF is happening to America?
9 years old and travelling illegally because her mother made her travel illegally. WTAF was her mother thinking?
❤️❤️❤️ beautiful