Detention Centers - Editorial Cartoon

Artist Statement 

By Magdalena Rahtgens 

Following the news lately, there is a new "shocker" every day. But when I heard about the 
detention centers for the first time, I really felt like this move was unbelievable, even for todays 
standards. Immigrants are already going through so much and we treat them like this. I think we 
should work on how we handle the border situation more urgently because putting people who 
are looking for a new home in such a place is immoral and the opposite of what this country 
should stand for.

Once I found this topic that really meant something to me, I started drawing the cartoon, figuring 
out how to get my point across and make other people feel the same emotions I feel, by using a 
little exaggeration and labeling the most important parts, highlighting the core message. 

One thing I learned during the process, is how important it is to sometimes just start with 
something that moves you, and go into detail and formal stuff later on. It makes a story very 
authentic because you catch the idea in its most emotional state.