Illusion of human rights

I am haunted by the wailing of the children separated from their parents by ICE. I am horrified at the callousness of the U.S. government officials reassuring us that no child in the detention centers is being abused. To claim that the soul-wrenching reality of being torn from your family is somehow smoothed over by crayons is outrageous. Is this who we are? Yes, apparently it is.

We are now in the business of ripping apart families and creating trauma that will last a lifetime. We are also ripping apart our illusion that we care about human rights. We have become a country that is so worried about our security, we’ve lost our humanity. We should all be wailing.

I feel hopeless and powerless, but there are actions we can commit to: Sign petitions so our views and demands can be presented succinctly to politicians. Contact your elected officials and demand a partisan solution to this nonpartisan humanitarian crisis. Donate to nonprofits working to extend legal protection to separated families. Participate in this conversation online. Yes, wail. It is heart-breaking. Then remember who we are and take action.

Mary DeLateur

Spokane