Slavery, Guns and White Masculinity

• In Event: Lightning Talk: The Criminalization, Marginalization, and Experiences of Racial/Ethnic Groups in the Criminal Justice System

Abstract

Slavery existed in the United States and it colonies for well over two and half centuries, and during this time it left an indelible mark on United States culture and society. One of the hidden marks has to do with the weapons laws in colonies and states which forbade men of color from carrying weapons, even if they were free, while these same states and colonies required White males, free and in servitude, to carry firearms. These laws fashioned White male masculinity able to not only enforce their will through the threat of violence, but also with the concomitant laws that men of color could not testify in court against them to seek justice. It is hypothesized this legacy of slavery carries over culturally today where White males feel powerless and disempowered and resort to guns to carry out mass shootings to re-establish their power and patriarchal order.

Author

• James Curiel, Norfolk State University