Bridging Borders

In: Social justice: a journal of crime, conflict and world order, Band 39, Heft 2-3, S. 125-128

Abstract

For almost three decades of a friendship with Betita that deepened overtime, they shared hospitality, some political projects and worries, common friends and personal disagreements, tensions over editorial work, as well as joy and political frustrations. In this memoir, the author would like to invoke the texture of their relationship, as well as political disputes that they experienced from different but intensely related sides of the US-Mexico border. He begins by saying that he was impressed by Betita's capacity to plan a project. She always carried a notebook to keep track of objectives, tasks, timing, and the steps involved in implementing a goal. He was so impressed that he tried to imitate her, but he really never could. Perhaps, he consoled himself, he was a victim of underdevelopment. Through doctrinal arguments, cultural differences, and personal tensions, they developed a close affection for Betita and Tessa, with friendship trumping politics. Adapted from the source document.