Comes a post on Facebook:
"U.S. Military are being deployed on home soil for the first time since the Civil War. Think about that for a minute."
I think to consider the similarities, the differences, and the parallels. I don't have much time to think, but can spot a few.
Back then, the people in question were slaves, they or their ancestors being forced to come here against their own will. They couldn't vote. They were not considered citizens with equal rights and privileges. They were here as laborers, grooming our crops.
Today, they people in question are not in slavery, but fleeing from oppressed conditions even as the slaves were oppressed. It is not their own will they come against, but our will. They can't vote. They are denied citizenship. They are told they have no rights and privileges in this land. Often they come as laborers, to groom our crops.
The military back then stood for their rights. Today, it opposes them.
Ours was a nation divided back then. The decades before had led to an increasing division. Some were with the slaves, and argued for their freedom. Others were against the slaves, and argued for their continued suppression and denial of their rights. Even so today, decades of being divided on this issue have led up to the moment of military deployment. It might be suggested that never since the Civil War has our nation been so deeply divided as it is today, albeit the immigration question is not the only cause.
Back then, there was a war force on their side. This time, there is no war force on their side.
It will be argued by many that back then, they belonged; This time, they don't.
Back then, the president was their chief advocate. Today, he is their chief antagonist. A president rose to power back then in large part as a result of his support for the people in question. Today, a president has risen to power in large part because of his opposition to the people in question.
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