Running for Freedom

Here is a photo from Salgado's book Migrations.  It's of the border between the United States and Tijuana.  This wall goes for about 2,000 miles hoping to keep immigrants out.  Occasionally, some people are able to climb over the wall and are usually caught by border patrol.  In this picture, you can see a person laying on the ground like they are so tired.  They have probably been waiting so long to be able to climb over the wall and be free.  I can't imagine the fear that they would have.  Fear of getting caught and possibly put in jail.  They risk everything just for the slight possibility of not getting caught and having a chance to start their life over.  It's estimated that over one million migrants, that are undocumented, slip over the wall and it's also estimated that 1 in 4 immigrants are caught by border control (Global Security).  It makes me sad to think that it's gotten to the point that we have to build a wall to keep illegal immigrants out.  I can't imagine always having that small string of hope that one day, if I could just get over that wall, my life would be better.  They are willing to risk everything that they have and about 25% of the migrants, get caught (global security).  I think that this photo shows the emotions that they have.  I don't know details about this man, or his circumstances but it looks like he's probably lost all hope.  I wonder what I would do in his situation.  I don't know if I'd be willing to risk everything I have.  I'm so lucky that I don't have to because of all I'm blessed with.  Everyday we all take for granted the little things in our life and many people all over the world will never have.  It makes you think twice about complaining about your apartment being too messy or cold.  At least I have an apartment and I'm so fortunate to have the life I have.  Putting myself in their situation has made me think twice about my life and the things that I have the most people probably only dream about.  With the recent events in Haiti, I've thought more about my life and how I can help people that are less fortunate than me.  I don't have much to give but I know that the little opportunities that I do have to help, I should take advantage of.  I'm so blessed and I should share all I'm blessed with, with everyone that I possibly can. 

Photograph: Salgado, Sebastiao. Migrations: Humanity in Transition.  New York: Aperture, 2000.

"US-Mexico Border Fence/The Great Wall of Mexico."  Global Security.  global security.org.  2006.