Thomas Nail Reading Reflection

 “People today relocate greater distances more frequently than ever before in human history.” (pg1)

This is an interesting point that the book is introduced with because as I have learned in many of my classes, movement has a lot to do with borders. Movement is required even more these days to live in affordable housing and find a job that suits their job abilities. People have to move back and fourth daily and pass through borders that separate the rich and poor and the black and white in order to get from home to their job. Obviously, as the introduction states, some people’s migration experience is more dangerous than others.  

“Some migrants may decide to move, but they do not get to decide the social conditions of their movement or the degree to which they may be expelled from certain social orders as a consequence. Migration in this sense is neither entirely free nor forced.” (pg 3)

            This concept is really important to me and understanding movement of different people because, as the play on Sunday pointed out, many people are not excited to move to another country like many people against immigration believe. Most refugees would rather stay at home with their families and communities than travel to a new country they are unfamiliar with. I think if more people realized how difficult changing social orders is for people fleeing their country, I believe people would feel most sympathetic and accepting towards those who are coming to our country.

On the last page of the conclusion, the author mentions that because the book has limited historical information, and only includes four migrants stories, they have left out information about migration by “tourists, commuters, diplomats, business travelers, explorers, messengers, and state functionaries.”

            I like that the book mentions this because I, as someone who is interested in forgotten or ignored histories and stories, do not necessarily want to focus on the people who tend to have their stories told. The problem with this mindset though, is that these people contribute to the bigger picture. I like what Sharon Otoo said that we have to look with both eyes open to understand each side of the story.