6th Mass Extinction

*~Question~*
Is the border wall debate simply a cover up; as a contributing force, to the 6th Mass extinction? 

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As I close my eyes and drift away to a land where there is love, health, peace, and blessings. I wanted to take the time to think and reflect. 

     I always imagined the spaces of borders as sacred places where there are natural connections of lands, that have simply been divided with the drawing of human made lines. Of course in a sense the imagined ideas are actually very real, because that is exactly what the spaces are. But it is through the human made elements, and social constructions of borders where the spaces also decipher if one of us are able to enter or not, enter another country, or the type of treatment that one receives, through the spaces that we can call lands between borders. These ideas and discussion points are particularly relevant. As once again the argument between the Democrats, Republicans, and President Trump has heightened for the demands of funds for the border wall, and forcing a Government shutdown. But as I have written in previous writings, the President's demands are something more than simply dollar symbols. Through his rhetorics and demands we hear of discriminatory language that is aimed at the populations that want to enter America. The discrimination is very real, and so is the crime, violence, and gangs that are entering illegally. So again I write, there is an argument for the safe entry of asylum seekers, migrants, and refugees who are fleeing violence, poverty, and a circumstance that is very real, and who do truly desire to try to make a better life for themselves. If not the ideal American Dream. A simple Dream. To be safe and survive. 

     There is also the case for moral duties. Not just on the American side of the border, but also the Mexican side. We hear of the Trump rhetorics, demands and concerns. But where is Mexico? What is Mexico doing to ensure the safety of the migrants, when they are travelling to America? The silence here makes us wonder Mexico's role, and moral obligations to ensure safety and survival of migrants. But I think we can delve deeper to connect the disagreements on the American side of the border, and the silences on the Mexican side, to think of these events as a social construction that is being constructed before our very eyes. A construction that is integral to the Sixth Mass Extinction, otherwise known as the Holocene.

     Building a wall along the southern border, not only affects the loss of populations through death, injury, and violences that happen along the border, but also affecting the animal species, plants, and ecosystems that have naturally formed along these neighbouring and bordering lands. Not to mention the human populations, and villages that have formed along these areas.

     As humans we tend to care more about animals and plants that assist with our survival. This is quite natural. As humans one of our innate drives is for the purposes of survival. However, we can question - the human duties, to protect and preserve animal and plant species. These are integral for the functioning of natural habitats, their ecosystems, and the beauty of the Earth. As humans we must carry out our moral duties for the protection of plant, animal, and human species. Without the human care that is derived from this level of consciousness, we are simply speeding up the processes that will contribute to the sixth mass extinction. 

     We can connect these thoughts to the protection of farms, farming lands, agriculture, produce and plants, that we consume for our survival. We enforce laws, policy and bills for their protection, and this is a positive, its natural to enforce protections, because they are pivotal to our human survival. But what about those functioning systems that species and plants have formed for their survival? Just like humans they also want to survive and thrive.

     Humans, politicians, scientists, and leaders are faced with a decision. To build a wall or not? Here I question: what if there was no idea of the wall? What could be placed instead of the wall? Also it takes more that physically building a wall, to build the wall. This involves digging untouched terrains, lands, and habitats.

     Whilst scientists and wildlife defenders do have very real concerns, that will affect present and future generations. There is also the concern of crime, and gangs that often cross borders through remote places. These areas are often controlled by crime networks, that are often left to operate because Mexican police and Law enforcement do nothin to stop the criminals. This is another discussion point, as often bribery, corruption, along the borders happens because of the police who are forced to co-operate with anyone thought to be a criminal or gang related.

So once again the question is to build a wall or not?

     I dont think there is a simple yes, no answer. But I do think that human life, plant and animal species deserve to be protected, for present and future generations. I also believe that rather than demand or control  from the U. S. side, its really a time to have discussions and work with Mexico, to think of solutions that are in the best, safe, and secure interests of both nations. Mexico's in-action and American demand and control, exemplifies how social constructions are a contributing force to the Sixth Mass Extinction. 

     In my view without taking a political side, I don't think that we can simply say lets build the wall. There are too many factors that have not been considered at the level of the Government. Rather than say lets build the wall, why not assign a Presidential Task force, to research the factors involved and that have not been addressed, for further developing recommendations? Where the task force contains specialists, including individuals who are from Mexico, and familiar with the issues that are American concerns, before there is a simple yes or no answer to building a wall. A task force should be committed, solution orientated, and not politically inclined.

     Through research, discussion, and team dialogue we can begin to think about the best interests of both nations, the human populations, American territory, bordering lands, plant and wildlife species. As the task force is carrying out this important work, we should look towards the humane functioning of customs and border patrol. So that death, and health hazards are not at the hands of American security, or armed forces, where there is a desire to secure the border and existing spaces along the borders. This includes training and development for the American forces, as well as growth in terms of compassionate grounds. Just as a piece of technology is used by humans, human functioning shifts depending on the individuals uses. Similarly border security must also develop, and progress with societal shifts. However, once again this thought can be connected to the construction of population extinction. Maybe harsh and drastic measures are in place for this very reason?

     Protection of a border is not as simple as build a wall or not. It is not a yes, no answer. Rather a process that requires development, further investigation, as there are many factors that have been silenced.     

Further Reading
Bird, B. (2018, Oct 21). Border wall disrupts more than people's lives. The Santa Fe New Mexican. Retrieved from http://www.santafenewmexican.com/opinion/my_view/border-wall-disrupts-more-than-people-s-lives/article_1672eaa7-8d1c-501d-a873-af475e1f6269.html  
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PAYNEGUEST, B. (2018, Jul 05). The moral basis for building a border wall. Daily Record Retrieved from https://tcsedsystem.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://search-proquest-com.tcsedsystem.idm.oclc.org/docview/2064752428?accountid=34120

The Extinction Crisis - U.S. Centre for Biological Diversity. 

*My thoughts to share with love & kindness! :) 

Notes: These thoughts were originally hand-written on December 22nd, 2018. The views and opinions contained in the thought post are my own. 
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