Blog #9

    The reading “Silko Border Patrol” goes in-depth with the author’s realization of border security and borderline. The author presents her thoughts on the development of the border and the unfairness presented. Her experiences as she traveled the highways of New Mexico and Arizona. The author’s experiences shape why the author feels the way she does towards the border patrol.  On page one it states “ The weird anger of these Border Patrolman made me think about the descriptions in the report of Argentine police and military officers who become  addicted to interrogation, torture, and murder that followed.” The author stated this as she was stopped beside the highway and the patrolmen were happy to drag them out of the car as they requested. 

      Later on that night, two other border patrol men stood by the white van and they also had a dog that was used to sniff and see if they smelled anything. That night the authors see that the patrolmen’s attitude gets uglier and disgusting. On the second page, it states “ Their mood got uglier; the officers seemed outraged that the dog could not find any contraband, and they dragged her over to us and commanded her to sniff our legs and feet.” The dog was used to help them on the borderline however this dog did not react when the author had medicated marijuana on her. The authors state “She had an inmate dignity that did not permit her to serve the murderous impulses of those men.” The dog was presented to catch and work with the patrolman however the dog was not showing any interest which proves to show how poorly mistreated she was. 

          The second reading “Technological Welfare” starts as an introduction to “leaving tomorrow” as it speaks on Lucho and Memo crossing the border soon. Lucho and Memo are on a mission as they gather certain necessities and more throughout the first few pages. The necessities presented to also survive such as rubbing garlic on your shoes or clothing prevent these animals from coming. This chapter presents individuals who are trying to survive and continue going. The emotional factors presented as you question what will happen to you or your family and if you will survive or not. On page one hundred and fifty-three it states “When you enter you have to listen if there are any rattlesnakes to make sure no one gets bit… You also have to make sure there are no people in the tunnel. If they are, we stop and turn around because they are bajadores.” This part of the reading demonstrates the risk and alertness needed to be able to survive. 

       On the ending of page one hundred fifty-six to the beginning of one hundred fifty-seven, it states “ Playing on the fears that conservative Americans hold regarding brown-skinned invaders running their economy, destroying their neighborhoods and killing citizens is a tried and true political strategy.” This part of the reading stood out to me, especially as growing up. Immigrants come to the United States to try to fight and build a better future for not only themselves but also their families. Stigmas and biases are still presented where some individuals feel like immigrants should not have the power to a better future due to their circumstances. Some individuals still feel as if immigrants and other individuals outside of their race are destroying their neighborhoods and more.