Brocksome letter: Black history month
In light of Black History month, I was surprised not to see any mention of Fredrick Douglass or Harriet Tubman.
These two individuals, both former slaves, treasured freedom and defended the second amendment so that blacks could defend themselves from the likes of the Ku Klux Klan and other groups intent on keeping blacks as defenseless slaves. Very interesting with all the clamor over guns that no one has mentioned these two patriots that did in fact support and defend the second amendment starting back in 1866. Take a look at their history and it may surprise you that a black person could not even raise an arm to defend him or herself if being “assaulted” by a white person. If not for these types of people that recognized freedom for all people, then we may be living under a very different government.
Just something to think about.
Oh the National Rifle Association? It was started by Union veterans Col. William C. Church and Gen. George Wingate. It was not just about the right to own arms but also about safety and marksmanship. The NRA continues today to train police and others that otherwise would not have that resource.
Steve Brocksome, Boise
This story was originally published March 14, 2016 at 11:39 PM with the headline "Brocksome letter: Black history month."