A License to
Kill
political threats. These acts were, however, considered threatening at some level and they did
appear to influence political authority.
Vietnam and Vigilance. Between 1965 and 1975, there were numerous political threats
established in the US. Although communism was frequently identified as being an important
influence during this time, it is clear that one can see a shift from “Red-baiting” to domestic
“security” and “law and order” – i.e., the call for a reduction in political and civil violence
(Goldstein 1978). The source of threat was threefold.
First, there was extensive rioting as well as increased militancy of black nationalists
within Northern cities (e.g., the Black Panther Party, the Black Liberation Army, the Republic of
New Africa, Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee and United Slaves [US]).
Quickly
other militant ethnic organizations emerged, espousing variations on the black theme (e.g., the
American Indian Movement, the Chicano movement and the Women’s Liberation movement).
Second (again also inspired by the black insurgent effort), there was a growing militancy among
white youth: e.g., members of the “New” Left – diverse, student organizations (such as Students
for a Democratic Society), revolutionaries (such as the Weathermen) who pushed for a more
equitable society, a removal of the “military-industrial complex” from US campuses (e.g., CIA
and ROTC) as well as a wide variety of other issues, and counter-culturalists: individuals who
challenged all aspects of conservative, capitalist and mainstream American society. Third, there
was a growing resistance to the Vietnam war, which brought millions of citizens to challenge
political authority in large-scale protest activity (e.g., McAdam and Su 2002).
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These individuals advocated
a rejection of racial integration; a desire to develop all black socio-economic institutions; an affinity for the
cultural and political heritage of black Africa; a commitment to create all-black political structures to fight
against white racism; a deep reluctance to participate in coalitions which involved a white majority; the
advocacy of armed self-defense of the black community; and in religion and culture, an ethos and
spirituality which consciously rejected the imposition of white western dogmas (Marable 1991, 55).
17
As noted by McAdam and Su (2002, 710), “(t)hough the Tonkin Gulf Resolution which led to a dramatic
escalation in American Involvement in Vietnam was passed by Congress on 4 August 1964, a visible anti-war
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Convention