[ad_1]
Conservatives have a special purgatory for uppity black women who dare question America’s founding myths.
New York Times journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones — her Pulitzer Prize-winning “1619 Project” centralized slavery in America’s origin story, a heresy that inspired laws banning her work from classrooms — now lives there. And she’s about to have company.
In her new book, “The Second,” Emory University history professor Carol Anderson takes on an even more sacred cow: guns. She argues that the Second Amendment — which supposedly came about solely as a hedge against tyranny — had at its heart a much less noble concern: Southern states demanded the right to bear arms because they feared rebellions by enslaved Africans.
All that talk about “a well-regulated militia”? Anderson told me in a telephone interview that that was just the cover story. State militias had not performed well either in fighting off the British or in defending against a domestic uprising: Shays’ Rebellion. “What the militia was really good at, however, was putting down slave revolts.”
So the South held America hostage. It refused to join the new nation unless it was guaranteed the right to keep its guns. Not that this was the region’s only demand. Ultimately, the Constitution contained several clauses protecting slavery and slave owners.
It was to be a recurring theme. From the Founders in 1787 to today’s refusal to enact needed voting-rights reform because of so-called bipartisanship, protecting Black people’s humanity has always come in second to other concerns deemed more vital. But as Anderson noted, “When you’re willing to sacrifice Black folks for what you consider to be the larger issue, you end up sacrificing the larger issue as well.”
Meaning that America cannot credibly practice racial discrimination, then tout itself as a beacon of freedom. That’s a hypocrisy with which geopolitical foes have taunted presidents from Kennedy to Biden.
But as Anderson observes, the Second Amendment betrays Black folk not only in its origin but also in its application. Put simply: The right to keep and bear arms does not extend to Black people. If it did, would the NRA — that vigilant defender of gun rights — have kept silent when a John Crawford III or a Tamir Rice, the one a man legally carrying a firearm, the other a boy legally playing with a toy gun, were executed by police?
By its loud silence, the group gave tacit approval of what Anderson calls the “fractured citizenship” of African Americans. “When they were enslaved or free blacks, when they were Jim Crow blacks or when they were post Civil Rights Movement black folks, that did not alter how the right to bear arms, the right to a well-regulated militia and the right to self-defense did not apply to them.”
Yet the same people who keep silent when Black people are deprived of those rights — and their lives — are only too happy to tell us how we all need guns for self-defense. As Anderson noted, when “Black” is perceived as America’s “default threat,” that argument “puts Black folks in the crosshairs.” Indeed, all of us end up enduring daily mass shootings so that some of us can be ready when the hypothetical Black man comes through the hypothetical window.
In “The Second,” Anderson highlights the manifest hypocrisy of the Constitution’s most troublesome amendment. She makes a compelling case that, for all the noble rhetoric, it was created mainly to oppress.
And that it is still working as designed.
——
Leonard Pitts Jr. is a columnist for the Miami Herald.
Today’s breaking news and more in your inbox
[ad_2]
Source link
920407 568701Was koche ich heute – diese Frage stellen sich tag fuer tag viele Menschen. Und wir haben tag fuer tag die perfeckte Antwort darauf! Besuchen Sie uns auf unserer Webseite und lassen Sie sich von uns beraten . Wir freuen uns auf Sie! 457366
918421 386192my English teacher hate me cause i maintain writing about somebody from The WANTED called Jay, she gives me evils and low 712945
648285 357865This internet site can be a walk-through its the data you wanted concerning this and didnt know who to ask. Glimpse here, and youll undoubtedly discover it. 595577
348084 741474I like the valuable info you offer in your articles. Ill bookmark your weblog and check once again here regularly. Im quite certain Ill learn several new stuff appropriate here! Good luck for the next! 247089
251509 219784Thanks for the info provided! I was researching for this write-up for a long time, but I was not able to see a dependable source. 719283
369266 864637I real pleased to uncover this web site on bing, just what I was searching for : D too saved to bookmarks . 275511
514625 482953An incredibly intriguing examine, I may possibly not agree completely, but you do make some extremely legitimate factors. 913717
308319 543340Some truly marvelous work on behalf of the owner of this internet internet site , dead fantastic topic matter. 10250
956020 538108Really educating story, saved your internet site for hopes to read much more! 960588
540107 806214You designed some decent points there. I looked on the net for any dilemma and located most individuals goes along with together with your site. 85319
85204 659988I really prize your piece of work, Wonderful post. 395538
996673 427509The next time I learn a weblog, I hope that it doesnt disappoint me as much as this 1. I mean, I do know it was my choice to read, however I actually thought youd have something attention-grabbing to say. All I hear is really a bunch of whining about something that you could fix for those who werent too busy in search of attention. 576540
628283 605860It is difficult to get knowledgeable men and women within this subject, nonetheless, you appear to be guess what happens you are dealing with! Thanks 271634
195221 192279Dead written articles , appreciate it for entropy. 946126
449409 276793Properly, that is great, however consider further options weve got here? Could you mind submitting an additional write-up relating to them also? A lot of thanks! 588224
803592 328243Billiard is a game which is mostly played by the high class men and women 109208
303993 881243Some truly nice and useful info on this website, likewise I conceive the style holds superb features. 874158
115369 905433if the buffalo in my head could speak german i would not know a god damm thing. What i do know is that the language of art is out of this world. 99781
814317 408062magnificent submit, quite informative. I ponder why the opposite experts of this sector dont realize this. You should proceed your writing. Im sure, youve an excellent readers base already! 590748
888548 170160Likely to commence a business venture around the refers to disclosing your products and so programs not just to individuals near you, remember, though , to several potential prospects a lot more by way of the www often. earn cash 21674
152428 962444What a lovely blog page. I will undoubtedly be back again. Please maintain writing! 367281
121965 377987I real glad to find this internet website on bing, just what I was searching for : D likewise saved to bookmarks . 127587
870068 32163In case you are viewing come up with alter in most with the living, starting point usually L . a . Weight reduction cutting down on calories platform are a wide stair as part of your attaining that most agenda. weight loss 162199
219858 40071Dead written articles , Genuinely enjoyed reading . 617617
863705 436860The next time I learn a weblog, I hope that it doesnt disappoint me as much as this 1. I mean, I do know it was my choice to read, however I really thought youd have something attention-grabbing to say. All I hear is a bunch of whining about something that you could fix for people who werent too busy in search of attention. 629881
590408 392665Ive been absent for a even though, but now I remember why I used to really like this internet site. Thank you, I will try and check back more often. How frequently you update your web site? 381728
647138 719023Most valuable human beings toasts need to amuse and present give about the couple. Beginner audio systems previous to obnoxious throngs would be wise to remember often the valuable signal utilizing grow to be, which is to be an individuals home. very best man speech examples 446603
636955 369558Cool text dude, maintain up the good work, just shared this with the mates 12577
482700 275454Hello! Someone in my Facebook group shared this website with us so I came to look it more than. Im undoubtedly enjoying the info. Im book-marking and will be tweeting this to my followers! Outstanding blog and superb style and style. 723615
935720 458641Which is some inspirational stuff. Never knew that opinions may possibly be this varied. Thank you for all the enthusiasm to provide such helpful info here. 333902
206852 843671Wonderful site. A lot of useful info here. 839342
148257 828574When I initially commented I clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now each time a remark is added I get four emails with the same comment. Is there any manner you possibly can take away me from that service? Thanks! 524380
551782 613313Some genuinely fantastic information , Gladiola I discovered this. 141421