01.02.2012, 09:26
It does look a bit odd at first, but the human beings are very good at spotting coincidences like these. Bear in mind that both chronological instances are in America thus share the same culture and nomenclature common to that land, as well as the same social issues.
If you look closer of course the comparisons begin to fall apart. Abraham Lincoln for instance made a big deal about slavery to justify his war against the south but it was largely spin however well intended. Lincoln needed an issue other than economics to fire his population into supporting the war, and what could be more emotive than slavery?
Kennedy had civil rights issues to deal with because the overall treatment of black americans was yet to disentangle itself from the earlier era. Legal acknowledgment certainly, but very few actual rights or respect, indicating that with all good intentions the abolition of slavery was more to do with white politics than black freedom.
If you look closer of course the comparisons begin to fall apart. Abraham Lincoln for instance made a big deal about slavery to justify his war against the south but it was largely spin however well intended. Lincoln needed an issue other than economics to fire his population into supporting the war, and what could be more emotive than slavery?
Kennedy had civil rights issues to deal with because the overall treatment of black americans was yet to disentangle itself from the earlier era. Legal acknowledgment certainly, but very few actual rights or respect, indicating that with all good intentions the abolition of slavery was more to do with white politics than black freedom.