Fences not black and white

I am wondering if it is the reason for a fence rather than the actual structure that communicates the message. The purposes for the Great Wall of China and the Berlin Wall sent a clear message. One was to keep people out and the other to keep people in. Our president’s purpose for his plans along the Mexican border are just as clear. Robert Frost wrote a poem where one of the characters says, “Good fences make good neighbors.” I am hopeful that this applies to the issue at hand.

I disagree with Nancy Pelosi when she says that fences are “immoral.” Drive anywhere around our fair city and take a look at the many fences and think about “why” were they built. Our backyard is fenced, not so much to keep the neighbors out but to keep the dog in and to provide a little privacy. Looking up and down our block, everyone has a fence. I cannot believe we are all “immoral.”

I read that the families who have their ranches in the Arizona desert adjacent to the border with Mexico have only a six-strand barbed wire fence to protect themselves. One of the ranchers said his family members all wear guns when they are outside. He continued that it was not that uncommon to find someone who had died from starvation or exposure. Sounds like a better fence might help his situation.

Let’s take a minute for some soul searching. How would we feel if Canada decided to build a fence on our shared border? The way some Canadians feel about our governmental policies does not make it seem that far-fetched. It would be a lot less pleasant if we are the ones looking in rather than out. Fences are not all bad nor all good. Let’s add some humanity to the issue.

Stan E. Hughes

Spokane Valley