“ And he sat down and called the twelve, and said to them, ‘ If anyone be first, he must last of all and servant of all’ “ ——– Mark 9:45
My wife and I travelled to Pennsylvania last weekend for a family wedding. We crossed the border at the Queenston-Lewiston bridge near Niagara Falls. I am fearful every time I have to cross a border and show my passport. I have crossed borders thousands of time, and no one has stopped me, and not let me in the country that I have wanted to go. But, I still live in fear. I know where the fear comes from. In the 1960’s during the Cold War between Russia and the United States, our family was denied entry into the US. My dad was born in Russia/Ukraine, and he had to carry his naturalization papers when he travelled to the US. One Sunday, we headed to the Buffalo Zoo. When we go to the border, my dad had forgotten his papers. He told the official that he was born in Russia . He had to go inside the terminal, and they decided that we could not go the the zoo. So, I am anxious every time I cross a border.
Last week when we crossed there was no problem. We showed our passports, and he asked where we were going , and said have a good time. It took about ten seconds. For other people it can be a difficult experience. I am white, look middle class, am a man and I drive a 2012 Toyota Hybrid. I am safe. I have white ( or Elmira ) privilege. Fish do not know what water is because it is natural. I do not know what my privileges are because it is so natural. I do not happen to think about being a woman and walking at night. I do not not have to think about being black, and being watched in a store, I do not have to think being Muslim, and being seen as a possible terrorist.
What do I do, now that I am slightly aware of all the privileges that I have because of my colour, gender and social class ? I can try to remember what these privileges have given me. I can name if for myself, but can I really change it.
As we crossed the border, if I would have been seen to be Middle Eastern, what would have my experience been ? My passport says that I was born in Canada, but what if my wife had been wearing a hijab ? These are questions I do not even have to think about, when I cross a border. And what if I had been born in one of those seven countries that President Trump has named in his travel ban ?
How can I serve the world, when I am part of all the power structures that enslave people ? By my being present in situations, I am part of the problem in society. What can I do ? How can I be part of the change ? Can I help make it easier for all people to travel safely in this world ? Just by naming it, I am on the way to changing myself.
Fred redekop
Ponder Anew 