"When dawn spreads its paintbrush on the plain, spilling purple... ," Sons of the Pioneers theme for TV show "Wagon Train." Dawn on the mythic Santa Fe Trail, New Mexico, looking toward Raton from Cimarron. -- Clarkphoto. A curmudgeon artist's musings melding metaphors and journalism, for readers in more than 150 countries.

Tuesday, August 25, 2015

The U.S.A.--The United States of Afraid?

Great Wall of China
All the political talk about building a wall between us and Mexico is more than disturbing, considering history.
Remember, "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down that wall"? Now, we're saying, "Mr. Trump, Build that wall."
Consider the historic walls, many designed to keep people out, or is it to keep people in?  
What's the difference? A matter of perception, perhaps. Aren't they all built on fear? Today there is a story on the front page of the New York Times about Hungary building a fence to keep immigrants out. 
What kind of mindset does it create
for those living behind a wall?
Consider our high-priced "gated communities," many with guards at the gates and medieval architecture. All the houses are cookie cutter and all the people living inside think alike--perhaps medievally, excluding those who are different. 
You become hostages in your own land, thinking like medieval people seeking refuge in a stone castle for protection against the barbarians. I understand armed guards at military gates, but those living inside are not living in fear.
Has the U.S.A. become the United States of Afraid?
And, in the long span of history, have any of these walls actually worked? 
Here are some other famous walls, in historical order.
Hadrian's Wall, England
Maginot Line, France

Berlin Wall

North-South Korea

Israel

U.S.-Mexico


2 comments:

  1. We have a rabbit proof fence does that count.
    Merle............

    ReplyDelete
  2. Superbly written article, if only all bloggers offered the same content as you, the internet would be a far better place. Nakenbad

    ReplyDelete

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