For 10 years I have been comparing the growing MAGA movement with the birth of Nazi Germany, and while I still believe that there are some important – and frightening – similarities, I have started to think more about the years leading up to the Civil War, and how that hateful period never actually ended. This article covers a lot of the facts of that time (Compromise of 1850, slavery, sectionalism, Fugitive Slave Act, California statehood, Henry Clay, U.S. Congress, pre-Civil War), and in reading it, it seems clear to me that our time is very similar to the decades leading to that time. Please read it – it is not terribly long, and it is well done.
The growing abolitionist movement of the 1840’s led to the Fugitive Slave Act and the Compromise of 1850. Roving bands of vigilantes hunted people trying to be free, and white Americans who disagreed with enslaving people were helping them hide and escape. Remember that slavery was legal, and helping slaves was against the law, just like hiding Jews from the Nazis could lead to your arrest and murder. We have seen this same thing happening in Minneapolis; people protesting ICE are being pepper sprayed, arrested, and in two cases, murdered. The recent case of Alex Pretti is the most recent instance of ICE’s abuse of power. And it will not be the last.
The Civil War never ended – it just went underground. Once enslaved people were freed, laws were enacted to create a pseudo-slavery system, and the 14th Amendment allowed for criminals to be enslaved. In the south, freed slaves made up the vast majority of those arrested and placed in this new form of slavery. Racists have been fighting against equal rights ever since, and this fight has extended to those legally seeking citizenship. I agree with those who want to deport criminals – we have plenty of home-grown perpetrators to go around and we don’t need more. But those who are seeking asylum – those who are here legally – some who have become citizens – they are now the targets of a racist movement fueled by bigots living in fear of being replaced. They are using our legal system in perverted and undemocratic ways. This isn’t America. This is the 1850’s – again. We need to use our voices, our votes, and our courage to preserve this Union.
Prayer – Holy God, help us to have the courage to speak to those who would use their power to destroy innocent lives. Amen.
Does the photo look familiar?