Comments on: Border Thinking http://www.nodo50.org/Laura_Agustin/border-thinking from Laura Agustín Mon, 22 Mar 2010 12:47:11 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 By: Laura Agustin http://www.nodo50.org/Laura_Agustin/border-thinking#comment-1296 Laura Agustin Sat, 14 Nov 2009 13:59:36 +0000 http://www.nodo50.org/Laura_Agustin/?p=17#comment-1296 you give it away when you say you have european permanent residence... they won't fuss about anything after that. you give it away when you say you have european permanent residence… they won’t fuss about anything after that.

]]> By: Del LaGrace Volcano http://www.nodo50.org/Laura_Agustin/border-thinking#comment-1287 Del LaGrace Volcano Thu, 12 Nov 2009 08:26:45 +0000 http://www.nodo50.org/Laura_Agustin/?p=17#comment-1287 I understand that border crossings are fraught with anxiety, even for people who are, or who can pass as gender normative, white and middle-class. I am intersex and intergender, a UK and Swedish resident with a US passport. I look like a M but have an F in my passport. I NEVER check either M or F on the landing card and I have never been challenged on this. Coming into the UK this time the custom's officer recognized my name and was a fan of mine. I asked her why I was never challenged about the X I put in between the M and F. She said it didn't matter to them! She then stamped my passport and shook my hand. I understand that border crossings are fraught with anxiety, even for people who are, or who can pass as gender normative, white and middle-class. I am intersex and intergender, a UK and Swedish resident with a US passport. I look like a M but have an F in my passport. I NEVER check either M or F on the landing card and I have never been challenged on this. Coming into the UK this time the custom’s officer recognized my name and was a fan of mine. I asked her why I was never challenged about the X I put in between the M and F. She said it didn’t matter to them! She then stamped my passport and shook my hand.

]]> By: laura agustin http://www.nodo50.org/Laura_Agustin/border-thinking#comment-602 laura agustin Wed, 04 Mar 2009 09:51:27 +0000 http://www.nodo50.org/Laura_Agustin/?p=17#comment-602 Tony, I think we agree and you don't realise it. Border Thinking as a term means wondering about the meanings of borders, why states insist on their differences, why people are meant to have a single national identity when many don't. It's the OPPOSITE of Border Thinking that leads to racism. Ginger, thank you so much for your kind words. Best, Laura Tony, I think we agree and you don’t realise it. Border Thinking as a term means wondering about the meanings of borders, why states insist on their differences, why people are meant to have a single national identity when many don’t. It’s the OPPOSITE of Border Thinking that leads to racism.

Ginger, thank you so much for your kind words.

Best, Laura

]]> By: Ginger http://www.nodo50.org/Laura_Agustin/border-thinking#comment-601 Ginger Wed, 04 Mar 2009 05:21:27 +0000 http://www.nodo50.org/Laura_Agustin/?p=17#comment-601 I don't know, Tony... I see what you're saying but Americans can unite in a heartbeat; we've seen it recently, and just consider the moments after 9-11... how quickly we drew together in crisis... and the collective memory connects us regardless of how we identify ourselves, our origins, associations, beliefs, etc... And this... "The push and pull between believing in ourselves and opening up to others is a constant job of work."... so true, so real... This site is great, the ideas, observations presented... and absolutely beautifully and insightfully written... I don’t know, Tony… I see what you’re saying but Americans can unite in a heartbeat; we’ve seen it recently, and just consider the moments after 9-11… how quickly we drew together in crisis… and the collective memory connects us regardless of how we identify ourselves, our origins, associations, beliefs, etc…

And this…
“The push and pull between believing in ourselves and opening up to others is a constant job of work.”… so true, so real…

This site is great, the ideas, observations presented… and absolutely beautifully and insightfully written…

]]> By: Tony http://www.nodo50.org/Laura_Agustin/border-thinking#comment-592 Tony Fri, 27 Feb 2009 03:23:45 +0000 http://www.nodo50.org/Laura_Agustin/?p=17#comment-592 I don't mind borders - in terms of classifying one country from the next. But if you're an immigrant working your papers to be naturalized as an American (and espesially once you've been naturalized), shouldn't you be considered an American? Mario Andretti for instance is labeled as the second American Formula 1 Champion in the record books. Rocky Marciano was considered the only undefeated American Heavyweight champion. Nevermind that their lineage came from Italy. Because they became American citizens, they are recognized as Americans. But that's not the case these days. We're all too concerned about "where I come from vs where you come from". Border thinking transcends into a form of racism. For as long as that idealism remains, it will be hard for Americans to unite at a time of crisis. I don’t mind borders - in terms of classifying one country from the next. But if you’re an immigrant working your papers to be naturalized as an American (and espesially once you’ve been naturalized), shouldn’t you be considered an American?

Mario Andretti for instance is labeled as the second American Formula 1 Champion in the record books. Rocky Marciano was considered the only undefeated American Heavyweight champion. Nevermind that their lineage came from Italy. Because they became American citizens, they are recognized as Americans.

But that’s not the case these days. We’re all too concerned about “where I come from vs where you come from”. Border thinking transcends into a form of racism. For as long as that idealism remains, it will be hard for Americans to unite at a time of crisis.

]]>