What I find so interesting about the comments to this story is that nobody has engaged the historical analogies being made. The author is writing in the genre of historical commentary on current events. By telling a story from the lead up to the Civil War readers are invited to reflect upon similar patterns in the present.
As a trained historian with twenty four years of experience teaching and writing about American history I was impressed by how well written the article was and the power of the historical analogies. The article could have been expanded to describe how self appointed mobs forced many Cherokee to flee west before the official Trail of Tears. It could have noted continued extralegal violence in support of white supremacy through lynching, the KKK, and other means from 1865 into the 1960s and beyond.
Furthermore the article could have pointed out the many examples of modern militias that are heavily armed and have gotten into violent confrontations with police and ATF agents. If there is so much evidence to draw from to support the overall thesis, why has the reaction been so negative? Without knowing the commenters it is hard to know for sure, but it appears that the three dissenting posts share the idea that “the other side” is at fault for our present challenges.
KP Dawes is correct. If we normalize and celebrate vigilante violence against American citizens than we undermine the very notion of a free society and civil public discussion. When I am confronted with a view I disagree with I always try ask some questions before respond. Does the other group know something that I don’t know? Is this an opportunity to learn that something? Has the other other person had experiences which are foreign to me? Would I gain a better understanding of the world by listening to their story? And finally, is there a higher nonjudgmental perspective I can take on this conflict that would help me to empathize with both sides?
We may conclude that blame does not equally lie on each side of the debate. But hopefully by listening and responding thoughtfully and with understanding we will help to tamp down the fires of rage. The alternative, a further collapse of civic order and descent into an apocalyptic Civil War, is too horrible to contemplate. The beatitudes say, “Blessed are the peace makers.” We could use a lot more peace makers today.
