http://www.cnn.com/2017/01/28/politics/donald-trump-executive-order-immigration-reaction/
The Middle Passage was the massive movement of slaves from Africa into America. This inhumane act brought about this central American idea of movement, from one place to another. Similarly, immigrants of the muslim faith are facing a similar fate, being forcibly removed from their homes by terrorists, into new lands. The only difference is the country they're fleeing to doesn't want them.
President Trump's immigration ban is very specific in singling out people of the Islam faith. Parallels can be drawn between the middle passage and this immigrant ban. Black people were discriminated during the middle passage, and muslims are discriminated during the immigration ban. Again, it is totally against American values to deny immigrants, so why is the President doing this? Because of fear. People in America are scared that what's happening in the middle east might come to America, which is a personally reasonable fear, but it shouldn't stop us from recognizing that we are all human beings and we all deserve to be in a safe country
In conclusion, The Middle Passage, though detrimental to an entire race, served its role in history by putting a mirror to America's history. The immigration ban is similar to the middle passage and it shows that history does in fact repeat itself. So where do we go from here? We must fight for humanity, and recognize that we, too, were once immigrants and rather than shutting people out, we should accept others with open arms who are fleeing from danger.
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ReplyDeleteI can see how you drew the parallel between the Immigrant Ban and the Middle Passage. I think the two concepts are a little different in that immigrants are primarily fleeing their homes (not being forced out of or kidnapped) but again, the idea of discrimination by race, ethnicity, and religion tie it all together.
ReplyDeleteI also can see the parallels you're making but I am not entirely sure I agree with the idea that the middle passage and slave trade brought about the idea of American movement. I personally feel as though they were not related but I understand how they are also similar.
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