I had high hopes of getting a lot of reading done in November, especially with the long holiday weekend and nowhere to be. Well, let’s just say things didn’t quite work out that way.
I ended up finishing one book in November. It was a hard, but necessary read. Maybe that’s why it was also a slow read because there was so much to process.
Separated: Inside an American Tragedy by Jacob Soboroff (★★★★☆)
Soboroff was one of the first journalists to report on Trump’s controversial zero-tolerance policy. I remember seeing him frequently on the news, reporting live from the frontlines of the family separation scandal. He’s been back and forth to towns along the border and detention centers to document the inhuman treatment of people who’ve come to the United States for help. Just the thought that an administration treats people who have fled violence in their own countries and are so desperate that they leave everything behind to seek asylum elsewhere by punishing them and not giving their asylum claim due process is atrocious.
This book is dense. I had a little bit of a hard time keeping up with all the people and government agencies/departments involved in the family separations and cannot believe the layers of neglect and carelessness that went into the enforcement of a policy that wasn’t even fully thought through. The agencies didn’t even bother to keep a detailed record of who was separated.
While I was reading this book, I couldn’t help but think about how it would have felt for me as a little girl to be taken away from my parents. I would have screamed bloody murder, to be honest. To take children away from their parents is one of the most traumatic scenarios I can think of. To know that there are still children today who have not been reunited with their parents is beyond heartbreaking and truly unconscionable. This is one of the most shameful legacies of Donald Trump’s administration and a story everyone needs to be aware of and learn more about.
What did you read in November? Anything you’d like to recommend? Leave a comment, and then add me on Goodreads to keep in touch.
Anne
December 10, 2020 at 1:06 pmOh, my goodness – you read that while dealing with the election and the (ongoing, sigh) aftermath? I would have found that very difficult. Did you?
Currently taking it easy with a Nora Roberts book, as well as The Woman in the Window. (Yes, I am always, always behind everyone in my reading…). I’m finding TWITW to be one of those books that I can’t read every night – sometimes, I get too frustrated and annoyed.
What’s up for you next?
Tobia | craftaliciousme
December 11, 2020 at 10:39 amThis sounds like a heartbreaking and difficult read. I think it is totally understandable that it takes its time to get through. Wishing you lots of time for reading in December.
Lisa of lisa’S yarns
December 14, 2020 at 8:04 amI think that book would split my heart in 2. Good for you for reading it and educating yourself, though. I agree it’s one of the worst things he did if not the absolute worst. I can’t believe how many are still separated – how can they possibly reunite them? It’s just so awful.