A Bad Example

I love when people take a well-known symbol, albeit not a pretty one, and twist its meaning to satisfy their own deplorable argument.

CON: "It is deplorable to go ahead with this decision of the wall at the border...The wall will not solve any problem. Humanity made a huge mistake by building the Berlin Wall and I believe that today the United States is committing a grave error in building the wall on our border. It is much more useful to solve common problems and foster prosperity in both countries."


Felipe Calderón
President of Mexico
"Mexico Urges Canada to Help Oppose Border Fence,"
CTV (Canadian national broadcast news)
Oct. 26, 2006

While I agree that the Berlin Wall was a blemish on the face of the earth, lets get some facts straight about the Berlin Wall and Mr. Calderon's failed attempt to equate that to the border between the US and Mexico.

1. The Berlin Wall was constructed to prevent emigration, not immigration. Two very different things. Emigration is the moving of people from one place to another. It can be within the same country, as was the case between eastern Germany and western Germany. It's like me moving from Seattle to Washington, D.C. Immigration is moving from one place to an entirely different NON-NATIVE place. This is similar to migration.

2. The Berlin Wall divided democracy and communism. While Mexico has it's problems, it is FAR from communism. A border between the US and Mexico is not a division of hatred, it is a membrane, meant to protect the nucleus, allowing in key ingredients and blocking damaging particles. There is a process to enter legally into any country. The US should be no different.

3. We can look to Europe for a good example on how border control works. Within a good chunk of EU (European Union) countries, you do not have to show your travel visa, passport, or go through customs every time you pass through a country. Some do require a customs check or immigration check, but other than that you are free to roam. If you are questioned, you simply show your passport and/ or travel visa. And that's just it. Traveling between borders is a PRIVILEGE, not a RIGHT. And every country has their own rule for staying there temporarily or permanently. Why should the US be any different? I don't go to Germany and expect free health care or education.

I lived in Europe for 13 years and saw how "open" borders foster acceptance, equality, diversity, and most of all, a better quality of life. However, "open" does not mean taking advantage of resources or lying about your work status. Do it the right way. There are a ton of agencies out there to help people get into the US legally. I see it everyday where I work. And most importantly, if you're making a point, understand the symbol you're using.