Introduction
Racism in modern America has its roots deep in history, and some events can be paralleled with the actions of the 1960s race struggle. The Freedom Riders were a group of activists who traveled by bus between cities in a peaceful manner, opposing the continuation of segregation in transportation, which had already been officially abolished at the time (Maddow, 2023). The Reverse Freedom Riders was a counter-group that organized the removal of African Americans from the South to the North by deception, promising money and work (Maddow, 2023). In the modern world, a similar phenomenon is observed: migrants are sent to northern cities, which promise a warm reception. The 60-year-long activity of the Reverse Freedom Riders demonstrates how vulnerable populations become political tools in the struggle between the North and South, as well as between conservatives and liberals.
Comparison of Racism Against African Americans in the 60s and Modern Migrants
Cruelty
The parallel between current events and what was happening in the 1960s is surprising. In today’s world, the cruelty of the approach in which conservative figures deceive migrants into the north seems unthinkable. This act, like the Reverse Freedom Riders movement, has a single goal: to utilize the population as a political demonstration (Maddow, 2023). This is an attempt to catch the liberals in duplicity and test how accurate their statements are when they face the problem of mass migration (Maddow, 2023). The desire to prove the lack of support for liberal political statements has gone beyond the boundaries of an honest political race. The political struggle is an arena that is often played without rules, but the use of living people as a provocation is a prime example of a far from over fight against racism.
Public Attitude
The events of the 1960s and the present have another depressing similarity: the attitude of the white population to what is happening. The Reverse Freedom Riders movement emerged as a stark display of opposition to the mere possibility of whites and African Americans sitting on buses as equals (Maddow, 2023). Peaceful travelers faced aggression and were subjected to physical attack for wanting to fulfill their legally guaranteed right (Maddow, 2023).
In the modern world, similar sentiments are already observed in relation to migrants. They also face overt and covert aggression, rejection, and the inability to integrate into society. Despite attempts to reduce racial tensions and resolve the migrant issue, the migrant population can still be considered second-class citizens by some individuals.
Political Rhetoric
Another similarity is the tool for involving an unprotected group of the population in the political struggle. The conservatives of the 1960s offered African Americans what they wanted: jobs, security, recognition, and protection. Therefore, some people, in addition to security, were promised a personal meeting with President Kennedy (Maddow, 2023).
Modern politicians also promise migrants provision, shelter, and security guarantees (Maddow, 2023). This links these events into a single chain of cynicism, in which human life is rendered meaningless if it serves as an effective tool for upholding a political point of view. People act as consumables in both events; they are dehumanized, becoming a tool without their own voice.
Dangerous Consequences
Finally, what unites the events of the 1960s and the present is the destructive effect of such a political game. Reverse Freedom Riders forced over 200 people to leave their homes (Maddow, 2023). Most of these people were unable to find work in the north, fell into hardship, or returned home feeling inferior and disillusioned (Maddow, 2023). Modern migrants sent to the north may also face unemployment, inadequate living conditions, and a sense of uselessness. Experiences like these leave an indelible mark on the lives of entire families, affecting their physical and mental well-being.
The continuation of racist policies hurts society as a whole and hinders the future democratic development of America. By using migrants as a political tool, politicians reinforce the normality of racial discrimination in the public mind (Maddow, 2023). With this approach, individuals of different races, origins, and cultures are exposed as overly gullible people who can and should be easily manipulated.
Politicians impose on the population the idea that some people are inherently better than others, while others can be used without a twinge of conscience, and still others cannot. This attitude is a significant obstacle to the development of a tolerant, inclusive, and open society that welcomes people from all backgrounds. The use of human lives in political struggle leads to the acceptance of the normality of violence against people who are different from the majority. An increase in the level of aggression, violence, rejection, and division of society will be a natural result of such provocative decisions. Actions aimed at strengthening racism will lead to an increase in racial tension, which will not allow America to develop liberally and democratically.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the number of parallels between modern conservative policy towards migrants and the actions of the racist movement Reverse Freedom Riders is depressing and horrifying. Similarities are evident in the methods used to achieve political demonstrations, the utilization of people as instruments of political struggle, and the devastating consequences of such actions.
The strengthening of racist policies towards migrants and African Americans leads to increased racial tension. It, in turn, provokes the growth of aggression, violence, and manifestations of intolerance. America must understand and reflect on the mistakes of the past to be able to build an advanced democratic society with eradicated racism.
Reference
Maddow, R. (2023). Deja News podcast: Taken for a ride. MSNBC.