S4E21: Give us a Desert Without Borders

Episode Summary:

Chris Clarke unravels the intertwined issues of border politics and desert protection. This episode highlights the human cost of migration through some of the harshest terrains on earth, the Sonoran Desert, while advocating for more humane approaches to immigration and border policies. With a deep dive into recent statistics and personal stories, Clarke paints a moving picture of the realities faced by migrants at the US-Mexico border. The episode also emphasizes the significance of community support in environmental advocacy, underscoring the ongoing efforts to bring the podcast's message to broader audiences, such as the upcoming event at the Chihuahuan Desert Fiesta in El Paso, Texas. 

Key Takeaways:

The Sonoran Desert continues to serve as a perilous pathway for migrants, with numerous deaths highlighting the risks involved in such journeys. Initiatives like the Chihuahuan Desert Fiesta are crucial for raising awareness about desert ecosystems and border politics. Community support is vital for the advocacy and dissemination of knowledge concerning environmental and social issues affecting the desert. The podcast episode is a call to consider humane border policies and recognize the humanity of those who make the treacherous crossing. Chris Clarke emphasizes the need for American society to embrace migrant neighbors, asserting that they bring resilience and the potential for community enrichment.

Notable Quotes:

1. "The border is itself an atrocity, a meaningless abstract flag waved to stoke hate by people who had never been within a thousand miles of the border place." – Chris Clarke
2. "Let people escaping tyranny come here as they will, and let us rid this place of tyranny as well as part of our usual obligation as hosts." – Chris Clarke 
3. "These are the kinds of people I want as neighbors. They have shown they can persevere." – Chris Clarke 
4. "Let Antares gaze down once more on a landscape of joy and peace." – Chris Clarke 
5. "We regard graveyards as sacred land. Sites of slaughter and battle are hallowed ground. This Sonoran Desert has been sanctified by too many sacrifices." – Chris Clarke 

Resources: 

Chihuahuan Desert Education Coalition: Hosts of the Chihuahuan Desert Fiesta event. https://chihuahuandesert.org/

90 Miles from Needles Website: https://90milesfromneedles.com

Humane Borders Migrant Death Map: Statistics mentioning over 4,000 migrant deaths, used to highlight the narrative on border-related fatalities. https://www.humaneborders.org/migrant-death-mapping

The Border Chronicle: Melissa Del Bosque and Todd Miller provide top-notch reporting on the human rights issues involved with the border-industrial complex. https://www.theborderchronicle.com/

 

Explore the full episode for a deeper understanding of the impacts of border politics on desert ecosystems and human lives. Stay connected with "90 Miles from Needles" for more stories and advocacy on these crucial issues.

Become a desert defender!: https://90milesfromneedles.com/donate

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