As I read through Dr. Alexander’s article on Sapiens, I could not help but wonder how frustrated these migrants must me, how frustrated Isabella must be, at such a broken system. A system that determines whether these people thrive or suffer, and most certainly whether they live or die. Alphonse is just one of MANY people trying to forge a better life for themselves. I was so impressed with how hard he worked when he got to Madrid, because I do feel that it is stereotyped that these refugees/migrants would just freeload off of other people, burdening the economy. It’s sad that a handful of persons determine the destiny of nations and lineages. How bad is bad? When was a scale ever created to determine how ‘bad’ a person’s situation is? If they are not limping into the office on the brink of death, their fate could be decided by one look. No story needed, no tears needed, just a look at ‘you.’ These men and families undergo such harsh conditions, days without food, clean water, a bath, a warm blanket. What would make you believe that they would subject themselves to this kind of living if their HOMES were any better?

Imagine a young boy leaving all he knows, familiarity, family, friends, do you not think he is searching for better? Does his journey alone not make him ‘vulnerable’? Is it the color of his skin that makes him ‘tougher’? As said by Isabella, so many of these young men leave their home, knowing that Europe is better, and that they are going to reach there. They block out all the stories of failures and death; pressing on, hoping that God is sticking closer to them than He ever did before. Pick your poison is what I would say. You stay and suffer or you go and know that life may never be any better, that comforts and materials may never come. And if you are willing to go with that staggering statistic hanging over you at every turn, then go valiantly. It is the moment of being ‘active’ that these men crave. They want to say they did ALL they could, and that cannot happen if they don’t fight.