My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This was an interesting book to read, and certainly timely considering the recent events in the U.S.
Dunbar-Ortiz, as the title of the book suggests, is looking at the history of the Second Amendment. However, its not a history of how it was adopted, how it has been interpreted throughout history, etc. Rather, she avoids that path to discuss the prevalence of guns, gun culture and mythos, and its role throughout the history of the U.S. In particularly, she examines the outsize role guns played in the identity of "manifest destiny" and the removal (genocide) or indigenous peoples from western territories in the United States. She also ties the history of guns to slave patrols in the antebellum South, the glorification of the Western outlaw (often former Confederates) post-Civil War, and the use of various aspects of 20th Century culture to reinforce guns as part of the identity of Americans.
The book, in many ways, is less a history book and more of a history argument. It argues that how we understand the history is wrong, and until we change that understanding, no progress will be made in changing the negative relationship our country has with guns. At least, this is how I took Dunbar-Ortiz's writing; I admit there were times I had trouble following some of her history and how it connected to each other, and her use of footnotes were not as useful as I have encountered in other history books. But, assuming that my understanding is correct, I think her suggestion is incredibly on point. Simply, we can't change something if we don't understand what that something is.
America's issue with guns is not simply about the number of guns or the access to guns permitted. Its about their exalted status, their connection to white supremacy throughout our country's history and how that plays in contemporary politics, and the protected and sancrosanct status of the 2nd Amendment and the Constitution. These factors all act as barriers to real understanding and genuine conversation, and thus as a barrier to any substantive change.
Books of this nature are, in my opinion, supposed to challenge you, make you think critically, and make you want to have dialogue. I believe, regardless of one's opinions on subject, the book succeeds on these counts, and thus is worthy read.
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