Larry Ward, chairman of "Gun Appreciation Day" (that would be January 19, should you wish to appreciate your gun in a proper, timely fashion), is of course an idiot. He does raise an intriguing point, however, in telling CNN that "if African Americans had been given the right to keep and bear arms from day one of the country’s founding, perhaps slavery might not have been a chapter in our history."
Now it goes without saying that the premise is as idiotic as Mr. Ward--that on Day One of Slavery Appreciation Year, 1787, the Founders would simultaneously enslave and arm the new nation's three-fifths inhabitants, many of whom had been forcibly and just recently relocated to this beacon of liberty, this city on a hill, this fresh free hope of splendid self-governance; or, prior to 1787, haul them here in chains and then hand them a musket?
That said, the thought, as mentioned, does intrigue: thousands of Nat Turners and Frederick Douglasses packing concealed-carry heat, which undoubtedly would have had a certain liberalizing effect on white sensibilities--a kind of counterfactual, Quentin Tarantino version of "Gone With The Wind."
Just imagine if a large group of those strapping, young bucks started walking around towns where open carry, or even concealed carry was allowed. I am sure they would be readily welcomed into the Real Murikans Gun Toting Fraternity right quick. Either that or you would suddenly see all those lily white GOP Congrss critters start clammoring for more restrictions. After all, that is what happened in CA when Reagan (Oh Great One) was governor.
Posted by: japa21 | January 11, 2013 at 01:42 PM
I thought slavery began in 1638 in the hemisphere, and 1686 here in North America.
Was there a USA then?
Posted by: Thurman Williams | January 11, 2013 at 01:50 PM
I somehow think that "fear of the black man with a gun" has been the overriding background theme of race relations in this country for hundreds of years. It's intriguing that we've reached the point where white guys are starting to talk about it as if it were a good thing.
(Somehow I think a lot of them might still be upset if a couple of New Black Panthers walked through *their* neighborhoods with AR-15s strapped to their backs.)
Posted by: Chris Andersen | January 12, 2013 at 02:07 PM
>>"fear of the black man with a gun" has been the overriding background theme of race relations in this country for hundreds of years<<
Closely followed by fear of the Black man with a penis.
Posted by: Beauzeaux | January 12, 2013 at 08:02 PM