Steve Cohen

I had sort of stayed away from his books "No One Is Illegal" (because I couldn't look inside it and the description said "This work is aimed at professionals who work in the fields of welfare and education and who increasingly require knowledge of immigration law and politics." So I figured out it would be too much legal jargon I wouldn't be able to understand or wouldn't be interested in.) and "Deportation Is Freedom!: The Orwelian World of Immigration Controls" (because I saw it too full of references to a specific book even though that book is highly popular and known to any intellectual.) However, in the end, I decided to put all aside. I had to read the books of this man who was a fierce proponent of removing borders. I am so glad I did. Even though there are parts that are a bit difficult to follow and too specific to Britain, both books are a must for someone like me and for anyone concerned with the issue of borders. The books lay out so clearly how things never change and the same rhetoric keeps being repeated with only the subjects changing. It's either Jews, blacks, or the poor who are being left out by immigration laws. They are filthy, carry diseases, cannot be considered humans, they are leeches. Acts are passed according to the needs of the country; in the end, those undesired are left out.

Steve Cohen also argues that welfare should be given to anybody regardless of their immigration status. I say “You are not obliged to provide welfare, just don't block their movement, that's enough.” However, of course I agree with him. I just express it in different terms, i.e. I say we should provide UBI universally.

Steve Cohen is my man. I wish I could have met him. I think I would like to take over his flag, not that of Garry Davis. Even though I am not a lawyer and do not have all the experience Steve Cohen had, I have chosen to devote my life to the same cause. I really wish I could have met him in person.


PS: I'll be writing separate posts with a thorough analysis of both books when I get the chance. Because there are many ideas there that really deserve more spreading.