I wish to comment on the “Hostile unto Death” letter regarding the "Hostile Terrain 94" article in the Independent on January 30. I understand and recognize the points the writer, Stu Sherman, is making in his letter. However I feel it important to respond to his closing statement: "Those who perish in the process of illegally entering the U.S.have brought about their own deaths. "
Whatever the political or legal status regarding the people who
have died attempting this border crossing, I do think it is important to still
recognize that these are human beings who are perishing and some compassion and
empathy is in order.
I have tried to study some of the great breakdowns of groups of
humanity toward other groups, such as Nazi Germany, Ruanda, or slavery. It
seems to me, that the very beginning of these horrors is when the humanity of
one group is somehow seen as less than the other.