PUTNEY — I am horrified by what is happening to the immigrant children who are detained at our borders. The separation of children from their parents and or caretakers is inhumane and will haunt all of us for generations to come. These children and families will not forget and their traumas will live in them throughout their lives, physically as well as emotionally.
While my story is quite different, I, too, experienced being separated from my parents - not for just a few years, but for my entire childhood, until the time of their deaths when I was 18 years old.
I am decades older now, but the loss of connection is one I will never forget as it is embedded in cellular memory.
My separation took place in my own country, in a context I was at least familiar with. Not so for these children, who are detained behind barbed-wire fences and concrete walls hearing a language not their own.
I suspect that these children have already learned all too well how to mistrust, hate, and doubt everyone around them. These issues will not disappear once these children are found homes but will be carried along with them wherever they go.
As for them reuniting with their families, how will that be carried out?
I am horrified.
How are we allowing this to happen? Where is our humanity if we don't do everything we can to stop this atrocity?
Please do what you can to help stop this madness. This is only a small part of what I can do.