It is sometimes difficult to get to the truth in matters of history. Often rumor, myth, and legend get repeated to the point that it is hard to distinguish the stories told about an event to the actual event itself. This is certainly the case of the Children's Crusade of 1212. The stories vary wildly depending on the source. In some, the Crusade begins in France, in others Germany. In some the children are taken by evil and greedy Venetian merchants and sold as slaves, in others they are simply never heard from again. Some scholars say that they weren't children at all, but rather serfs. And more than a few say that the event never took place, but was instead an allegory (a medieval urban legend) told as a warning to people who might be easily misled by fanciful ideals.
I feel that we are seeing a similar phenomenon with the news about the immigrant caravan. The stories told and perspectives shared in our modern era of technology are giving vastly different impressions on an event that is occurring at the present time. If we have this level of confusion now, I wonder what future historians would make of this event (if it is even remembered or studied).
I wonder if the various stories that are filling up my social media are all true, at least to some extent. I'm certain that criminal elements would take advantage of a caravan filled with families that are legitimately fleeing violence and oppression. I believe that many of them have been sold false promises. Considering our current administration, I believe that informed people would know they would not receive a welcoming reception at the border. However, I think that many of these people were uninformed about the hospitality of the United States (much like the members of the Children's Crusade were promised an easy trip to the Holy Lands).
I believe that both political parties are using this as rallying propaganda for their respective bases. I worry about people who are only receiving one side of this story. The truth is definitely more complex. Our current society is not ready (sociologically if not economically) to allow everyone seeking citizenship a place in our country. However, currently immigration laws are a bureaucratic nightmare to navigate even for those with connections. We have gang violence that does include groups that travel across the border. However, simply closing a border does not prevent that kind of crime and has other serious repercussions.
My real concern is for those in this modern crusade who have been sold a dream only to find that the reality is so incredibly different. What future do they have if brought in or if turned back? How likely is it that they will find themselves slaves of greedy and evil people no matter the outcome?
I feel that we are seeing a similar phenomenon with the news about the immigrant caravan. The stories told and perspectives shared in our modern era of technology are giving vastly different impressions on an event that is occurring at the present time. If we have this level of confusion now, I wonder what future historians would make of this event (if it is even remembered or studied).
I wonder if the various stories that are filling up my social media are all true, at least to some extent. I'm certain that criminal elements would take advantage of a caravan filled with families that are legitimately fleeing violence and oppression. I believe that many of them have been sold false promises. Considering our current administration, I believe that informed people would know they would not receive a welcoming reception at the border. However, I think that many of these people were uninformed about the hospitality of the United States (much like the members of the Children's Crusade were promised an easy trip to the Holy Lands).
I believe that both political parties are using this as rallying propaganda for their respective bases. I worry about people who are only receiving one side of this story. The truth is definitely more complex. Our current society is not ready (sociologically if not economically) to allow everyone seeking citizenship a place in our country. However, currently immigration laws are a bureaucratic nightmare to navigate even for those with connections. We have gang violence that does include groups that travel across the border. However, simply closing a border does not prevent that kind of crime and has other serious repercussions.
My real concern is for those in this modern crusade who have been sold a dream only to find that the reality is so incredibly different. What future do they have if brought in or if turned back? How likely is it that they will find themselves slaves of greedy and evil people no matter the outcome?
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