Distrust Formed by Boundaries

After reading Luke’s post regarding the legality associated with trespassing, it started to make me think more about the specific law. How did that even come about? Why do people take it so seriously? Is it truly about privacy? How can land and property hold more power than the freedom instilled within humans? Many questions were raised in my mind.

There are always exceptions to rules. For trespassing, there might be instances of “implied consent,” in which immediate action is needed to save a life…” In that case, it becomes acceptable to trespass, an action that would not be tolerated otherwise.

As now learned, many places in Europe allow walking wherever one’s feet takes them, regardless of property. This cultural and geographical difference with where one “could” walk is confirming the ignorance of property lines in terms of boundaries in the land.

In The United States, something as simple as a fence can serve as a sort of indicator of “us” versus “them.” When this sort of mindset is formed, the notion of privilege can also be formed. The establishment and formation of a property line, in terms of boundaries, can ensure safety and privacy but it can also keep intruders out and away. But what or who can classify as an intruder? Does an intruder and a stranger serve the same purpose? Can both terms be used as substitutes for each other?

The etymology behind the term intrude derives from the Latin “intrudere” meaning to thrust or force inward. Moving inside, per say, has a neutral connotation, but to thrust or force in forms a negative connotation. The forcefulness behind the act of intruding can be seen as a dangerous deed instead of one for survival. Similarly, the reason why looting, meaning to snatch, can also hold a negative connotation. This can be seen in the two different photos that were analyzed in Dr. McCoy’s class. One had White individuals who were in search for food during the hurricane and were seen to retrieve by a necessity for survival but when Black individuals were showcased in the same predicament, they were seen as looters.

“Is there such a fundamental distrust amongst us of the strange or unusual that we forget we’re all human beings?” is a brilliant question that has been asked by Luke in his blog post and I also have been thinkING about the same question. Systematic racism, proven by both Slavery and The All Lives Matter Movement, has been dismissing the larger issues present. The argument of what it means to be a “true” American has rose to the surface. Owning property is only the first step of being seen as “prominent” in today’s society to form and establish boundary lines.

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