Some of the most heart breaking, enlightening, and urgent stories come to us through the pages of children's books. Aida Salazar's Land of the Cranes is a perfect example. In poignant free verse she humanizes and speaks for the people demonized by our president and his Build A Wall minions.
Betina and her parents had to flee to America to get away from the men who killed her uncle. They made a life for themselves--working hard, planting a garden. But after seven years their little family is broken upj. Betina's father is picked up by ICE and deported to the country where his life is in danger. Betina and her pregnant mother are sent to a detention facility.
They're in a human created hell on earth. Dozens of people are crowded into a concrete floored room with only an hour a day outside. They must sleep on the rough concrete with only one blanket to protect themselves from the pervasive cold. Children are often ill and deprived of medical care, their hair infested with lice. The food is moldy. And you probably don't want to know their only source of drinking water. When her mother goes into labor poor Betina is left alone.
Take a minute now to imagine yourself experiencing what Betina and her family did. I'm sure you'll agree that no sentient beings should be treated like that. We all need to know and raise awareness about the evil being done in our name.
He who has just become president has made this evil his top priority. It is possible to commit great evil while breaking no laws if wrong doers are shaping the laws.
Betina's story, told in vivid and evocative free verse, belongs in every school and public library in this nation.
On a purrrsonal note, there wasn't enough time in class for everyone to do our presentations. So I have to wait until next week. I can use this weekend to make mine more concise.
A great big shout out goes out to Salazar for penning this most engaging and enraging book to raise awareness.
Jules Hathaway
Sent from my U.S.Cellular© Smartphone
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