The high-top sneakers cost $215 at a San Diego boutique, but the designer is giving them away to migrants before they cross to this side of the U.S.-Mexico border.
The story says Judi Werthein is "an Argentine artist who moved to New York in 1997 _ legally..."
Why? What was so bad about Argentina that she thought the US was better? And don't we have provisions that allow us to deport foreign nationals actively engaged in subverting US law?
But a discussion on national sovereignty and border security is not the purpose of this post. This is actually a public service message for undocumented workers contemplating an illegal border crossing, and concerns the unintended consequences of Ms. Werthein's irresponsible actions. My Spanish skills being extemely limited, and noting the unreliability of online translators, if anyone reading this has the linguistic acumen to translate it, please do. The goal is to distribute it to the target audience.
NOTICE TO MIGRANTS: IMPORTANT SAFETY WARNING ABOUT BRINCO SHOES
You may have heard about the Brinco shoes being given away to border crossers. If you receive a pair of these shoes, do not wear them. You will be putting yourself and your family at risk and missing an opportunity to enrich yourself.
Rich North Americans are paying $215 for a pair of these shoes. If a coyote sees you with them, and he has you alone in the wilderness, what do you think the chances are he will let you keep them? He might kill or injure you to take them so that he can sell them to an American buyer. Even if he does not hurt you, you may be left in the middle of the desert with no shoes.
The designer who created these shoes only made 1,000 pair. That means they will become a collector's item, and their value will increase. Look for the shoes to start turning up on internet trading sites like ebay, and look for the price to increase among rich Americans wishing to appear fashionable.
The smart thing to do if you are fortunate enough to receive a pair of Brincos is to stash them away for a time until you can determine a buyer and a price you are willing to sell them for. How many pair of shoes can you buy for the current price of $215? As the demand increases, how much will the price increase?
If you ignore this advice and wear the shoes anyway, be aware of another option should you be injured or killed by someone trying to take them from you. You or your survivors should seek out a lawyer and sue for damages, because Judi Werthein and her rich backers knew--or should have known--that introducing objects of value amidst impoverished people would create a dangerous situation where property is coveted and protections do not exist. You will have been directly harmed due to their negligence and irresponsibility.
So remember: Sell or sue. Do not wear.