While reading this book by Mr. Vinen, I couldn’t help but be somewhat confused by the absence of structure – though I’ve come to realize that in reality, it is probably more conducive to our understanding of this time, than if this work was to be organized in a coherent fashion. The amount of subjects this book attempts to cover is as broad as the concept of “68” itself, and I feel it does do a surprisingly good job of detailing some of the more important issues that culminated in “68”
Something that caught my interest was the Black Panthers and their affection for firearms – as an avid enthusiast of the 2nd amendment, I am well versed in the legal history of gun control – particularly its racist origins – this example of California repealing its open carry laws after the Black Panther Party marched with rifles is simply another example of this tactic being used by the government to oppress certain groups within society. MLK and W.E.B. Dubois were well known proponents of gun ownership, and in a society where the powers that be could not be relied upon to protect ones property and family, the 2nd amendment was truly an African American’s greatest friend. The racist history of gun control dates back to the 1751 French “Black Codes” forbade any slave from possessing any form of weapon, including a cane – In the colony of Louisiana, free blacks were repeatedly barred from purchasing firearms under a myriad of gun control laws enacted by suspicious administrations.
Overall, I found this passage to be one that not only affirms my belief in the 2nd Amendment, but reiterates its importance in todays political climate. With many left of center political activists characterizing the current commander in chief as “fascist” and the police both federal and local as his jackbooted thugs, it would seem evermore important for everyday Americans to exercise their first and second amendment rights to the utmost of their abilities. After all, if the police and Mr. Trump are truly fascist demagogues rife with intent to destroy our democracy, is it not each and every citizens responsibility to arm themselves in defence of our great republic?