Unless you've been living under a rock, I'm sure that you've heard about the familial separations that have been happening at the border. I don't know about you, but I am absolutely disgusted with this. This is not what America stands for and that behavior is absolutely unacceptable. I know that immigration can be a controversial topic and that many people disagree on how we should handle it. And honestly, I don't understand why people get so heated about it. This country was built on immigration but for some reason, I know many people who believe that all immigrants are criminals that should be banned from this country for "taking our jobs" or "using our resources". And you know what I have to say to that? Shame on you. What makes you more worthy of respect, resources, basic human rights or the chance at a better life than anyone else? The fact that you were born in the U.S instead of a third world country? That was pure luck and you need to take a good look at yourself in the mirror if you think that way. Just because someone wasn't born in this country doesn't mean that they don't deserve the same rights that we have.
On the Statue of Liberty, one of the most iconic American symbols, it says, "Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!” So if you are against the idea of immigration, then you are against one of America's greatest values. Immigration is one of the most American values that we have. I don't know why people in this political climate feel that it is okay to wear their racism or discrimination on their sleeves but it's abhorrent and unacceptable. The fact that I even have to say this leaves a bad taste in my mouth.
Despite what you may think, what's going on at the border is not a political issue. It's a human rights issue. Children should not be separated from their parents and nobody should be treated the way that these people are being treated. The fact that I know people that are not only condoning this behavior but defending it, makes me sick. Today I heard the argument that "military brats are separated from their parents. So what is so bad about these immigrants being separated from their parents?" I can tell you right now that if this is how you think, you need to delete me right now. There is absolutely no excuse for this behavior and politicizing the military is unacceptable.
These two issues are completely unrelated. When a person in the military enlists, they do so willingly. They go on their deployments and leave their families behind, that's true. But you know what? They still have ways of contacting them. They have Skype, cell phones, Facebook, etc. They know that their children are safe and protected by their families. That is not the case for these immigrant families. And you know what? Just because military brats have to deal with it doesn't mean that it's easy. As a military spouse, I know how difficult going through a deployment is. Now that I'm 8 months pregnant and my husband just re-enlisted, the next time my husband deploys, he'll be separated from me and our son.
I have seen how military brats act when their parents are away. Every child reacts differently. And you know what? Either way, it's NOT EASY. I love my husband and our life together. But I can say with 100 percent certainty that when my husband deploys again, I am not looking forward to my son looking at me and asking, "Where is Daddy? When is Daddy coming home?" It is going to be extremely difficult for me and my son. And that is when the children are not being kept away from their parents against their will. If you think that the two are correlated, then you clearly are not in a military family and you clearly don't understand the magnitude of the situation.
Honestly, I don't care if you disagree with me. This is more than a difference in political opinion. This is a difference in morality. If you advocate for the separation of families, then I ask you to consider your own family. Imagine your children being forcibly taken away from you. You don't know where they are, what they're doing or when you'll get to see them again. If you don't have children, imagine being two years old and being separated from your parents in the same way. We are all equal, whether you want to open your eyes and see that or not. And no matter what your opinions on immigration are, you should not be for the traumatizing of children, which is definitely going to be the result of these actions.
So if you condone this behavior, then you're not someone that I want in my life and I'm ashamed. And if you're someone that thinks that it's easy to be in the military and have a family, then clearly you've never done it. But one thing is for sure, if you believe that in any circumstances that this behavior is acceptable, then you are 100 percent wrong. Period. So if you're one of those people on my Facebook page or any other social media platform that disagrees with me on this issue, then it was nice knowing you. I've always believed that you are the company that you keep and you know what? I will not allow myself to sink down to your level.
-Chelsea
