Lincoln Movie Sociology

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In both societies, whites assume the worst about the 13th amendment and free migration into Europe. In Lincoln, representatives of the states were indignant at the thought of the consequences if slavery were abolished. It was argued that interracial marriage and the right for women to vote would follow – both seemingly unimaginable in 1845. Nowadays, people in Europe are frightened about the “inevitable” terrorism that comes with migration from the Middle East. Some are even convinced that World War III is waiting just around the corner. Another communality of Lincoln and the current political situation in many parts of Europe is the fear of a seeming, what I like to call, ethnic and cultural eradication. One of the movie characters warned the audience of a “niggerated” America: a country that will no longer belong to them – the whites – if slaves are freed. In Europe, on the other hand, people are terrified of the imminent Islamization if refugees are not stopped. Again, in both examples the worst is bound of …show more content…
This is something very relevant today. If less privileged people ought to be equal to the superior white, whites will feel as if some of their privilege is being taken away. It seems to me that the mentality of some people is as follows: “if we can no longer dominate them, they will dominate us”. Thus, the idea of equality for all becomes threating and unwelcome to white people in both 1845 America and 2016 Europe. This is something I simply cannot comprehend. Why does the American and European ideal of a “proper” citizen have to stand above those who do not fall into the same category? When I hear of Afro-Americans shot by white US police officers or the way European media report about refugees, I feel angry and desperate. Nonetheless, the 13th amendment and gracious characters like Lincoln and Mrs. Keckley give me hope that Europe will find a solution for its political problems as