Do you remember when unionists used to call for the border to be sealed? They said that what they called political subversives from the south were not welcome in the north – a sentiment echoed in the song “‘Up the border, keep the border’ is my cry”.

Well, haven’t times changed?

Now nationalists might like to sing that same song. They are calling for measures to stop what other countries call political subversives crossing from north to south. The open border they demanded after Brexit has, they claim, become an open door for migrants to enter the 26 counties from Britain.

Welcome to the world of changing perceptions on the border.

Patrick Murphy: ‘Up the border, keep the border’ is now some nationalists’ cry

Newton Emerson: British and Irish governments cynically weaponising border in immigration row

This latest twist in Irish politics has its origins in European colonialism which exploited much of the rest of the world through political repression and economic slavery. By the early 20th century, for example, all of Africa was owned by seven European countries.

Although most former colonies gained what they thought was independence, many........

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