Look in the Mirror, Uncle Sam

Drawing by Severin Brotschul

Editorial by Jacob Wheeler

Sun editor and publisher

Fellow Americans, you’ve seen the photos. The painful images of children and babies being separated from their parents at the southern border. Or photos of toddlers trapped in prison-like conditions, not knowing when, or if, they’ll ever see their moms and dads again. These photos have gone viral in recent weeks. For many Americans, these images have come to symbolize the pain, and perhaps the immorality of the current administration’s “zero tolerance” and child separation policy. The outcry has prompted rebukes from leaders of both political parties, religious leaders, child advocates and foreign nations. The blowback has apparently forced government officials to backtrack on this child separation policy.

This Fourth of July, we gather once again to fly our Stars and Stripes and celebrate our patriotism and our independence. These days, the leaders of the United States talk about building a wall to keep people out. Perhaps instead of a wall, we should construct a giant mirror this Fourth of July, and take a look at ourselves, who we are, what choices we’re making, and where we are headed as a nation, as a community.

Should we take children away from their parents—regardless of where they come from and what language they speak? Do we criticize, mock, and malign our friends among nations? Do we use the language of schoolyard bullies when conducting policy or debating political opponents? Do we systemically dismantle the institutions that have served us well for decades? This is our time to look in the mirror, America. What do we see?