Trump Admin's Tear Gas Use Harms Children
· Updated · fashion
The Trump Administration’s Use of Tear Gas on Children: A Fashion Perspective on Human Rights
Fashion and human rights intersect in complex ways, as illustrated by the recent use of tear gas against children at the US-Mexico border. As someone who writes about fashion, I’ve often pondered the industry’s responsibilities to create clothes that bring joy, comfort, and confidence while promoting social good.
The history of tear gas use against children is a disturbing one. The US has employed this chemical agent in various contexts, including Waco’s Branch Davidian compound during the 1990s and more recently in Portland and at the southern border. Proponents often cite these incidents as examples of necessary force, but what about the long-term health effects on children? Studies have shown that tear gas exposure can cause respiratory problems, eye irritation, anxiety disorders, and even damage to the central nervous system.
The physical harm caused by tear gas is well-documented, but so too are its emotional consequences. Children exposed to tear gas often experience nightmares, flashbacks, and difficulty sleeping – symptoms that persist long after initial exposure has passed. This kind of trauma can have lasting effects on a child’s emotional well-being.
As a fashion community, we have a responsibility to speak out against this kind of violence. Fashion can be a powerful tool for social change when used responsibly. We’ve seen it in the past, from designers like Vivienne Westwood using their platforms to raise awareness about apartheid in South Africa to brands like Patagonia and Reformation speaking out against deforestation and climate change.
Some fashion brands have responded more effectively than others to human rights abuses. While some, such as Patagonia and Reformation, have used their platforms to raise awareness and promote positive change, others, including H&M and Zara, have been slower or complicit in perpetuating harm.
As consumers, activists, and industry professionals, we can take several steps to address this issue. First, we can support brands that prioritize human rights over profit. Second, we can use our voices to speak out against injustice through social media campaigns and community organizing efforts. Third, we can seek alternatives to tear gas, such as non-lethal methods like de-escalation techniques and community-led initiatives.
Ultimately, fashion’s power lies not just in what we wear but also in how we think about human rights. We owe it to ourselves, our children, and the world at large to use our influence for good rather than harm.
Reader Views
- THTheo H. · menswear writer
The most insidious aspect of this tear gas debacle is how it perpetuates a culture of impunity for law enforcement agencies. Without consequences, these agents feel empowered to disregard human rights and deploy chemical warfare without restraint. It's not just about the children; it's also about creating an environment where officers believe they can break the rules with no accountability. We need concrete measures, like legislation and clear protocols, to rein in this reckless behavior and ensure our security forces don't become agents of harm rather than protectors of society.
- NBNina B. · stylist
It's shocking but not surprising that the Trump administration is more concerned with brutalizing migrants than safeguarding their health. What's equally disturbing is how our country's lax laws and lack of accountability enable this kind of toxic behavior. We need to take a step back and consider the economic impact on our communities when children are forced out of school due to long-term exposure to tear gas and pepper spray. These aren't just human rights issues, but also financial ones - what does it cost taxpayers in the long run to have a workforce hindered by preventable health problems?
- TCThe Closet Desk · editorial
The Trump administration's deployment of tear gas and pepper spray is a gross overreach of power that disproportionately affects vulnerable populations - children, in particular. While the article highlights the alarming number of cases documented by ProPublica, it barely scratches the surface of a more insidious consequence: the eroding trust between law enforcement and immigrant communities. By framing this as simply a "mistake" or a matter of "excessive force," we neglect the underlying systemic issues that enable such abuses to continue unchecked. The real ticking time bomb is our collective inaction in the face of mounting evidence, and it's imperative we address the root causes rather than just treating symptoms.