OUT OF THE BOX

The Americas belong to the Indians who were displaced by the colonizers in the 1600's. They belong historically to them and so their ancestral ownership must be respected.

The question of space to be occupied by indigenous groups in this world is being questioned by the entry of young children into the United States. We always say that the world is for everyone regardless of race, sex, age, class and ethnicity, that this is a democratic world despite the presence of rightists.

Yet, upon the entry of young children in the borders of the United States, I felt there was something awry in the way boundaries have been set up all over the world. These children from Latin America, who are running for their lives, endangered by the presence of drug-related violence, are seeking shelter on their own (or probably with the help of some adults) for the first time.

I felt very sad knowing how they could stand being separated from their first families at such a very young age. They should be enjoying their childhood, going to school, learning new ideas and thoughts that could help them navigate all kinds of problems and evil in this world. But there they are, thinking of their body and soul, where they could sleep peacefully.

I was painfully struck by the images of young boys, lying on cemented floors and their shoes, rubber shoes that could have been made by subcontract with multinational companies in their countries. It's the same in the Philippines, we have seen those shoes, some of them pirated and sold here. Actually, those boys could have been our own youth here.

I think repatriating them to their countries could be rethought as an option on dealing with them. In my years of volunteer work in Tondo, the biggest slum in Asia way back in the 60's and perhaps second now to Payatas, I know that the youth from those areas could fall into the hands of gangsters and corrupt officials who would exploit their background.

So what I would suggest is that a home be created wherein they would all be housed, given a chance to have a life, peaceful and not lacking in food. The UNICEF must be tapped to lead the agency that will provide them this haven, and insure that they get to be enrolled in schools.

What are a few concessions to these children now who could be future leaders of the world, given the world-class education in the United States? It's time for us to think out of the box.