Journal #15 To what extent is fairness a reality in Border Patrol State?

Ms Silko, 
you have provided an excellent and vivid argument as to why Border Patrol State is a questionable and largely redundant rule, as it subverts the American Ideology of the rights and freedom of citizens.

It is indeed true that the imposition of the Border Patrol State has somewhat robbed Americans off their freedom in travelling inter-state. By implementing such borders and areas of checkpoint, it creates a sense of resentment in citizens, as things are no longer the same as before. Gone are the days in which one can drive freely across the highway, without the need to bring along all necessary documents and experience the phobia of possibly being stopped and interrogated.

However, though I agree that the imposition of such borders has led to a reduction of freedom, it is still a necessary act in light of present day situation, whereby illegal immigrants is a prevailing issue. I feel that such rules are acceptable in order to ensure the safety of citizens. But the limit of acceptance is stretched, when the simple act of  “asking a question is tantamount to resistance”.  In addition to the reduced freedom in terms of travelling, are Americans also stripped off their right to speak? It is thus an extremely scary thought to even think of the possibility that a certain handful of Patrol officers may have become “addicted to interrogation, torture, and the murder that follow[s]”.

This brings to play the question of how fair they are in their judgment of possible suspects. If everyone is judged fairly without taking into account the politics of their skin color, I will follow suit with whatever rules the government may choose to implement. But if such acts of restrictions are targeted towards minorities, it is indeed an extremely vicious act. Just because illegal immigrants are naturally foreigners and “alien” in terms of skin color, it does not negate the fact that many Mexicans, Native Americans and Asians are now full-fledged citizens of United States.

It is thereby only with the eradication of “racism [being] a trump card to be played again and again”, that I will concede to the implementation of Border Patrol State. Till that day comes, I will never be in total agreement with the standards in which they choose to stop a car and interrogate its occupants.