Blog Post 1

Reading “The Crossing” reminded me and forced me to remember the stark, permanent hell that many human beings live in. Everyone has a story, and Alexander reminds us that not everyone is privileged to have a life backed with freedom and opportunity.

In many ways the young men described in Alexander’s article are running away from the risk of dying. These men have little to no chance to find work or an opportunity for something better—therefore they flee to Europe. It forces one to consider the basis for which opportunity can be found. Essentially finding a chance is rooted in geographics, race and a highly political ordeal.

Waking up every morning without the fear of losing your life is an absolute privilege. It is a privilege that one often forgets, not because it is purley taken for granted, but because life should not be a privilege. Beni’s story, while heartbreaking does not sounds unfamiliar given the context of his life. The hell he has lived and continues to live is an unfortunate reality for too many humans. However, the story that Alexander depicts pulls at the heartstrings more so than others because these are the stories of the forgotten. To have no knowledge of the border crisis in Algeria makes the story heavier and even more unknown.

Alexander paints a picture that I have never saw or heard about prior. It is disheartening that crises such as the one in Algeria get so little attention. However, it also forces me to consider that these “crises” are so prevalent that stories may often go forgotten.