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The Wall is a psychosomatic phenomenon, representing an effort to separate the American body politic from human bodies that might penetrate into and contaminate this American body.
Building a wall meant sealing the border of America against foreigners who might penetrate into the interior. These foreigners perceived as dangerous, had to be prevented from entering into America.
The Idea building a wall was associated with MAGA ("Making America Great Again"). Donald Trump believed United States had lost it greatness because too many immigrants were entering and residing within the country. Foreigners could not be allowed to penetrate American borders. Porous national boundaries meant it was too easy for foreigners to seep in.
Donald Trump’s open gambit that was the source of everything that followed: "When Mexico sends its people, they’re not sending the best. They’re sending people that have lots problems and they’re bringing those problems. They’re bringing drugs, they’re bring crime. They’re rapists and some, I assume, are good people." This statement defined Trump's policy for an entire Presidency and shaped national discourse.
The boundaries of a nation are walls of the state, like the wall of a house or room. Trump's reign was based on the idea that America's walls were porous, like the body of a promiscuous woman that let people in too easily. The United States was imagined was like woman who could not protect herself--in danger of being penetrated by Mexican rapists and other foreigners.
The fantasy of being raped defined Trump's ideology and Presidency and continues to dominate his psychology. He provokes others to try to rape him so he can defend himself against rape. However, slowly but surely, it seems he is going down.
America was too easily penetrated, Trump believed, unable or unwilling to protect herself. Immigrants were creeping in from down below. America’s was easily penetrated. To overcome being exploited, America had to become stronger; walls had to be built. Trumpism is rage against weakness. Sadism as a defense against masochism. Yet every time it seems he is going down, he rises up.
DATE FROM THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES ON IMMIGRATION AND CRIME: Compared to citizens born in the Unites States, undocumented immigrants in Texas are less than half as likely to be arrested for violent crimes or drug offenses. Undocumented immigrants have lower felony arrest rates than both legal immigrants and native-born citizens. They are less likely to commit crimes or to become incarcerated.
US born citizens compared with undocumented immigrants are 2 times more likely to be arrested for violent crimes, 2.5 times more likely to be arrested for drug crimes and over 4 times arrested for property crimes.
Sealing the holes in the body politic. Fear of rape. No one must penetrate. The United States as a vulnerable human body. “Orifices and entry points must be sealed.”
Immigrants as alien bodies flowing into the American body. Paranoia and hysteria the same thing. Paranoia generates hysteria. Fear of being penetrated. The desire to be penetrated. Trump’s political movement builds upon the fantasy that a foreign body is entering his body. Trump’s body is the gigantic American body.
Constructing tight boundaries are a reaction to the fear of penetration. “Protecting the rear” (Hitler’s phrase). National security mean not getting fucked by Mexicans.
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