“Look at that tree, Ma,” Alex said, pointing to a tree with limbs and branches covered torn pieces of cloth. “What does it mean?” he asked her.
“That, sweetie,” Cindy said, “is known as the ‘Asylum Tree.’ It’s meant to remind us of the struggles of people trying to come to the United States from other countries in order to escape violence and persecution.”
“Why does it have all of those rags tied to it?” Alex wanted to know.
“Well, under federal law, anyone from another country can seek asylum — and therefore entry into the U.S. — by claiming to have fled their countries out of fear of persecution over their race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group,” she explained.
“But President Trump is ignoring that law and arresting people from Central America who are seeking asylum,” Cindy said. “ And worse, he’s taking young children away from their mothers and fathers and putting the children into cages.”
“That’s terrible, Ma,” Alex said. “How can our president be so cruel, so heartless?”
“Many of us are asking that same question, Alex,” she agreed. “He is turning our country into a place that many of us don’t recognize anymore. We are embarrassed and ashamed.”
“But the rags,” he said. “I still don’t understand why they are attached to the tree.”
“Each of those pieces of cloth hanging from the tree branches,” she said, “represents a child who has been torn away from their mother or father to remind us of the inhumanity of Donald Trump and those who support him.”
“I hope that the next time we come to see this Asylum Tree, there will be no more rags tied to it,” Alex said.
“I hope so too, sweetie,” Cindy said.
Written for Sue Vincent’s Thursday Photo Prompt.
This, That, and the Other 
I have a comment in my head that would likely get me a visit from the Secret Service, so I’ll leave it to people’s imaginations.
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Trump is not interested in appealing to humanity, as he is only looking out for himself and his followers.
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Very true. And very unfortunate for this country.
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I would not normally post a political piece as part of the challenge, but gross inhumanity should transcend politics and nationalty. The gentleman in question (and I use the term so loosely it might unravel) is within a few miles of my home at the moment. I would love a chance to speak my mind on this face to face…
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And the next time there was no tree as Trump decided to cut the trees for golf course, dun dun dun…
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“They paved paradise and put up a parking lot.”
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reblogging
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Thank you!
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Reblogged this on magnoliajem and commented:
Thoughtful, thought-provoking post. Hope it becomes action-provoking. VOTE!
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I hope that tree is free of rags soon!
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Me too!
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Reblogged this on poetry, photos and musings oh my! and commented:
Children in cages never have a nice day and PTSD often lasts a lifetime.
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Thanks for the reblog!
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BTW, try being an ex-pat living in Europe and having to explain it all…
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I can’t imagine how the United States is now perceived by the rest of the “free world” with Donald Trump as our president.
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The reblog was my pleasure. Actually I have your blog open again as I write this. It is rare to see so much of what I have thought, written (not published) and some said. I’m not a talker but if someone sincere asks… I can’t wait to read more. Bonne chance! I fear for your coming “election/selection” and for you all. Not to mention my fears for our environment.
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Oh, please don’t get me started on what Trump and his cronies are doing to our — and the global — environment. It literally makes me sick.
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They have declared war on the entire world as the environment is not “sole” property of America. Of course many of us grew up to think of it as Mother Nature and these Viagra sucking, high alter, impotents have long shown us how the feel toward women…
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Same here in Southern Germany! The heads of the so called “Christian and Sozial” Union support the refusal of help to thousands of drowning migrants – women, babies, children – because allegedly the people in Europe are afraid of them, of people that have lost every thing, are traumatized, weakened…
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When humanity loses its humanity.
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This is a great post I also can’t write what I would like to because common decency will not allow me to. But that man needs to be taught some humanity.💜🙃
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Thanks, Willow. I agree that he needs to be taught some humanity. Unfortunately, I think he’s uneducable.
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I agree with you completely 💜
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He’s too stupid and self-centered to recognize or care what he’s doing – it’s the Republicans supporting him who should be ashamed. Family values party, my arse. Great blog – thanks for speaking out.
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I agree that the Republicans are his enablers. Thanks for reading and commenting.
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Great post, you’ve used the image to make an excellent point.
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Thanks, Michael. I hope I’m not being too political these days, but I am kind of preoccupied by this craziness.
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No you make an excellent point.
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Phew! Thanks.
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Was good the first time I read it and it’s still really good.
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Thanks, Marilyn.
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