This post is not for tourist advice, travel, textile experiences, or day-to-day life in Oaxaca. Oh, wait. The day-to-day in Oaxaca is seeing the impact of the newly elected dictator of the United States of America wave his mighty hand and destroy the values of the founders. What the heck. The Constitution doesn’t really matter, does it. I woke up to the news that Google Maps will change the name of the Gulf of Mexico for U.S. users. REALLY? Then, I asked Wikipedia, that says this is not legal. But legality doesn’t seem to be an issue any more. Act first, see what backlash there is. There is none. No pushback. No opposition. Continue to destroy. I’m writing this in 80 degree weather. What could be better? Nights drop down to 50-ish. Perfect for sleeping. What could be better? We walk here. We eat out at great comedors for not much money. We go to concerts, art openings, lectures, events. Lots of distractions here as the USA disintegrates into lawlessness, retribution, and acts of revenge. Did you read that the FBI is being purged? Did you read that anyone who participated in the J6 investigation will be treated as a criminal. Can we really wait for two years for the next Congressional election cycle, and by then, will it make a difference?
I did two things this morning that helped me feel better: I donated to Raices based in San Antonio, Texas, which supports legal aid for immigrants and migrants, and an organization here in Oaxaca called Collin, A.C. that provides migrant assistance, including a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment for people on the move, as they are expelled from the USA and need asylum. Yesterday, I rolled down my car window at a traffic light to give to a young man holding a cardboard sign asking for help. I asked, where are you from? He answered, El Salvador. Last year, I helped a young man from Venezuela whose 4-month old daughter was born in the Panama jungle as the family made their way north. What will happen to these people if they are returned to their home countries where economic desperation, poverty and political repression prevail?
I’m writing to ask you to join me in taking our heads out of the sandbox and rising up to do something positive to help others through these perilous times. Joyce Vance wrote this morning that no one is protesting, there is no vocal opposition like there was during the Nixon era, that lawmakers are tearing down laws and not making them. Will we become Nazi Germany? Will I stay in Oaxaca more and longer for the next ten years? What can I do at my age that will make any difference? What can we do? All ideas welcome.
Someone asked me recently, would you invite a migrant to my home? Yes, of course, I would. We are all migrants. It is human nature to seek safety, security, and economic well-being for ourselves and our families. Find a way to resist.
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