For Ulmer:
In the third paragraph of your essay, you argue that technology has improved communication by “allowing us to easily connect with people from all around the world.” Could you provide some specific examples of how technology has fostered these connections, and how it has impacted our ability to communicate across cultural and geographic boundaries?
I chose this question because it asks for more specific information about Ulmer’s position while giving us insight about what technologies considered when writing this piece. This can help deepen our understanding of his perspective. Additionally, it provides an opportunity to explore the broader implications of technology on communication and global connectivity.
Silko’s “Border Patrol”
Leslie Marmon Silko’s “Border Patrol” is a powerful and thought-provoking short story that touches on themes of identity, cultural assimilation, and the impact of borders on people’s lives. One particular aspect of the story that stands out is the depiction of the border patrol agents and their treatment of the Native American people.
Throughout the story, the border patrol agents are shown to be aggressive and confrontational, treating the Native American people with suspicion and hostility. They are portrayed as representatives of a larger system of oppression that seeks to erase the cultural identity of Native American people and force them to assimilate into mainstream American culture. The agents are depicted as enforcing the arbitrary borders that divide up the land, disregarding the fact that the Native American people have lived in the region for generations and have a deep connection to the land.
What is particularly striking about Silko’s portrayal of the border patrol agents is the way in which she humanizes them, even as she condemns their actions. Rather than depicting them as one-dimensional villains, Silko acknowledges that the agents are themselves trapped within a larger system that perpetuates violence and oppression. For example, the main border patrol agent in the story is described as having a “worried and tired” expression, suggesting that he is not necessarily evil but rather exhausted by the demands of his job.
Overall, “Border Patrol” is a moving story that highlights the devastating impact of borders and border patrol on marginalized communities. Silko’s depiction of the border patrol agents is particularly noteworthy for its nuance and complexity, offering a reminder that even those who perpetuate oppression are often themselves trapped within oppressive systems.
deLeon’s “Technological Warfare”
Another quote from Jason deLeon’s “Technological Warfare” can be found on page 159, where he writes: “The proliferation of tactical infrastructure also creates a range of environmental side effects: increased soil erosion, flooding, and the destabilization of plant and animal communities.”
In this quote, deLeon highlights the environmental consequences of building infrastructure along the border. He argues that the physical barriers and technology used to enforce the border have a significant impact on the natural environment, leading to erosion, flooding, and disruption of ecosystems. By drawing attention to these environmental consequences, deLeon challenges the idea that border enforcement can be completely separate from its impact on the surrounding environment.
Moreover, deLeon’s quote suggests that the harm inflicted on the environment through border enforcement disproportionately affects vulnerable communities living in the border region. The destabilization of plant and animal communities can have significant consequences for the indigenous communities who rely on these resources for their livelihoods. Similarly, flooding caused by infrastructure along the border disproportionately affects low-income communities living downstream, who may lack the resources to protect their homes and property.
Overall, deLeon’s quote shines light on the complex and often overlooked consequences of border enforcement. It shows how environmental concerns are deeply entwined with questions of justice and equity, and how border enforcement strategies that ignore these consequences are likely to create more problems than they solve.
