“Wealth consists not in having great possessions, but in having few wants.” ~ Epictetus.

Jamaica in the 70s and 80s was in a strange place economically.  The Prime Minister spoke about Democratic Socialism, and was a little too friendly with Castro for the comfort of the US.  The Jamaican Government implemented a lot of changes that incurred the disapproval and thus involvement of the US.  The IMF became involved, sanctions were imposed, and the result for the average Jamaican in general, and for the farmers in particular, was strained. In an attempt to destabilize the government, the CIA began their hidden agenda, and shipments of guns arrived on the wharf, thus arming a disaffected portion of the population. 

This very abbreviated version of what was going on does not accurately capture all of the nuances, and for anyone interested, the documentary ‘Life and Debt’ does a far better job.  For my parents, the times were interesting indeed. Going to the supermarket became an art in itself.  Items which were necessary and scarce were ‘married’ to items which were more readily available.  In order to buy the scarce item you were required to purchase the second.  Choice was limited.  My mother, the baker, had to be creative, replacing standard ingredients like flour with oats!  The reality was so stark, that once, when visiting me in Miami and going to the supermarket, looking at the shelves she waved her hands in the air and said “There’s too much to choose from! It’s obscene!”

Being a minister’s wife (the poor kind of minister, not one of those ridiculously wealthy performers of today) she was used to being careful with her pennies.  In a mall, after window shopping and staring at the prices of designer art pieces, ceramics and jewelry, she declared ‘Anyone who can afford those prices has too much money!’  My first husband, who also grew up with no luxuries, raised by a widowed father in rural Jamaica, was also used to doing without.  Birthday treats consisted of having the meal of your choice cooked for dinner.  Christmas toys were few.  In later life, living in Miami, when his kids were able to pick and choose between their many toys scattered around their room, or play for hours on their Nintendo, he would yell in disgust: ‘You too rich!’

When you live in a land where consumption is the order of the day, where broken items are discarded and replaced, not repaired, where shelves are always full, choices are always obscene and available, it is sometimes hard to relate to what is going on in other parts of the world.  Which is why travel is such an educational activity.  If you have never experienced shortages, never had to do without, it is difficult to relate to such situations.  And that doesn’t even cover other forms of insecurity. 

For those who have made the decision to risk everything and try their chance at life in another land, where things appear to be easier, where possibilities abound, the US has long been a magnet.  With legal means to migrate being restricted, with few choices to support a family, the risks have been weighed and chances taken.  Many have been able to contribute to the economy once settled in the US, taking jobs few if any US citizens would want.  Imagine working all day in the hot sun, bent double picking strawberries, or okra, with few water breaks, and very low wages.  And yet, through these low wages and harsh conditions, the migrant worker manages to raise kids, send them to school, and add to the melting pot of US culture. 

The life of an undocumented immigrant today is one of fear, of danger, of risk.  And yes, they may have broken rules to get here, but they have contributed through taxes, through their labor, through purchasing goods and adding to the economic well-being of the country.  Even before the heavy-handed ICE raids, even before the show of force currently seen on the streets of US cities, their life was one of fear, of anxiety of being asked to show proof of citizenship or ability to work.  They were always one traffic stop, one employer verification away from losing everything they had worked for.  But now their fear is far greater.  Some have stopped working altogether, staying home in hiding, worried about losing their family, their homes, everything they have worked for.

It is hard to watch the results of this new implementation of enforced immigration law in this country.  To see heavily armed, masked men using brute force to intimidate human beings.  This week we saw deadly force used against a woman in Minnesota.  There is news about shootings in Seattle.  And internationally, US military showed their might in South America. 

Are there not other ways to bring about solutions to these challenging problems?  Whether it is the number of non-criminal undocumented immigrants, or heads of state of sovereign nations, can we not find other ways to address the challenges?  In an already unpredictable world, we are finding ourselves increasingly insecure, wondering what will happen next.  Greenland? 

Fortunately for most of us, we will find a way to live despite the acts unfolding before us.  And when it all gets too much, we can retreat, find our happy place, and focus on our own scope of influence.  Meanwhile in Minnesota, people are coming out to protest peacefully once more, after watching another life taken in broad daylight, videoed and broadcast to the world.  And they do so knowing the risk they are taking, but doing it for their neighbors who may not be as comfortable showing their faces in public, doing it even after seeing that video.

This Friday morning, may you find richness and meaning in your own lives.  May you have health to enjoy the life that you have.  And may you have enough and be enough for those who depend on you. 

Have a wonderful weekend, Family!

One Love!

Namaste.