My reading has become limited to light romantic mysteries and fantasies, and I find myself watching reruns of old favorite sitcoms.

I’m one of the many people whose anxiety levels have increased dramatically because of the new government.  I’ve always been a good worrier (just ask my husband!), but over the past 5 months I’m doing it so well that I could do it professionally.

Overreacting, you say?

Well, just one of the things I’m concerned about is the crackdown on people crossing the country’s borders.

Yes, I’m an American citizen, with a valid passport.  But I’m of East Indian descent, and my complexion is what cosmetics companies like to call “deep beige”.  I am not Muslim,

in fact, my father is a Lutheran pastor.

My family lives in Canada, and though we don’t visit them every year, my husband and I do enjoy travelling outside the US.

It has not been unusual recently for people of color to be prevented from re-entering the US because some border agent is having a bad day.  Even though the “travel ban” has been rewritten, it still allows for discrimination on the basis of religion, which to many is directly related to skin color.

Much is being made of the fact that travel ban version 2.0  respects those who already have a lawful right to entry, but I’m pretty sure that there was nothing in  version 1.0 to indicate that people traveling with visas or green cards should be prevented from re-entry into this country.

Yet it has happened, and on more than one occasion.  Even lawful citizens like Muhammad Ali, Jr. have been detainedfor no other reason than their appearance, or the sound of their names.

Yes, I’m still worried.