Reimagining Borders: A Call to Action for People in Migration

By Alejandro Guerrero Vargas on August 28, 2024

At UUSC, we believe in the power of “building bridges, not walls” and the importance of education in driving social justice. Our partners at BorderLinks know all too well that spiritual learning, taking action, and reflection are key to understanding complex issues facing those in migration. By facilitating immersive educational experiences, BorderLinks strives to dismantle systems of oppression through teaching practices of education that honor our wholeness as human beings all while envisioning a world without borders.

During the most recent General Assembly hosted by the Unitarian Universalist Association—an annual UU gathering where congregations come together to worship, learn, and connect—the UU College of Social Justice (UUCSJ) and BorderLinks hosted a thought-provoking and spiritually enriching webinar, “Building Home Together: Spiritual Mapping Beyond Borders.” This collaborative webinar was hosted by BorderLinks Co-Director of Education Ren Manning and Rev. Deanna Vandiver, Director of Justice Education for the UU College of Social Justice UUSC, and provided profound insights and spiritual grounding, challenging participants to rethink the very concept of borders.

Understanding the Borderlands and Beyond

BorderLinks is a community-based organization centering the lived experience of people in migration, inspiring movements for collective liberation. For 35 years, BorderLinks has worked towards transformative change and justice by bringing the voices of people in migration to the forefront and confronting the policies and circumstances that led to a militarized border. 

The borderlands are a place of stark contrasts, as Ren vividly illustrated in the webinar. The desert, teeming with life and beauty, is also the world’s deadliest land-based migration route. Between 1981 and 2022, over 4,000 migrants lost their lives in southern Arizona alone, a number vastly underreported. Ren’s presentation highlighted the deadly impact of walls and militarization, not just on humans but also on the environment, disrupting habitats and destroying landscapes.

Through images and stories, Ren emphasized the need to dismantle the narrative of ever-increasing borders. They shared powerful images from Nogales, Arizona, featuring layers of razor wire and remnants of personal belongings left by those in migration. These visuals underscored a critical point: Walls do not stop migration; they only make it more dangerous. The history of the U.S.-Mexico border, with its relatively recent militarization, demonstrates that borders are not timeless or natural; they are constructed and can be dismantled.

The discussion also delved into the concept of the nation-state and its implications for justice for people in migration. Ren referenced Ruth Wilson Gilmore’s teachings on the state as a site of struggle, emphasizing that the current state of affairs is neither inevitable nor permanent. By recognizing the constructed nature of borders and the violence they perpetuate, we can begin to imagine and work towards a world without them.

Spiritual Practices for Grounding and Action

De  further enriched the webinar by guiding participants through spiritual practices designed to deepen our understanding and commitment to justice for those in migration. De led participants through a series of songs, meditations and rituals, including a shared compassion meditation and a grief ritual. She demonstrated that music and art are essential tools for grounding ourselves in the work of social justice. 

One of the key spiritual practices shared by De was the shared compassion meditation. Participants were invited to imagine themselves as trees in a forest, their roots deeply intertwined, symbolizing the interconnectedness of all beings. This meditation helped underscore the importance of community and collective action in the fight for justice. By rooting ourselves in compassion and interconnectedness, we can better support one another and build resilient communities capable of withstanding the challenges posed by borders and displacement.

The “rich picture,” an exercise inviting attendees to visualize a world without borders, used art to capture attendees’ hopes and dreams for a more just future. This activity not only fostered creativity but also helped participants articulate their visions for a world where freedom of movement is a reality for all.

Invitation to Action

In closing, Ren extended a heartfelt invitation to join BorderLinks in the borderlands, whether in person or through virtual programming. These experiences offer a unique opportunity to learn from the lived realities of those exercising their right to migrate, engage in meaningful dialogue, and take tangible steps toward justice. By participating in these programs, individuals can deepen their understanding of issues surrounding those in migration and become more effective advocates for change. The webinar with BorderLinks and the UU College of Social Justice was not just an educational session, but a transformative experience, urging us all to take action. It challenged us to confront our own assumptions about borders, to root ourselves in compassion, and to envision a future where justice and human dignity prevail. We invite you to watch the full webinar and join us in this vital work of reimagining and reshaping our world.

Imagecredit: Shutterstock (David Peinado Romero)