2011 Throwback: Should John Brown Be Posthumously Pardoned?

In this episode, Lou introduces the question of whether John Brown should be posthumously pardoned. The theme begins with biographer David S. Reynold's Op-Ed in the New York Times on December 1, 2009 entitled, "Freedom's Martyr," in which  he suggested the symbolic value of a posthumous pardon for Brown, either by the State of Virginia or even by then President Barack Obama.  Two years later, this question was revisited by a John Brown birthday meeting, "Five Nine 2011" (commemorating the 211th birthday of Brown), held at the Brecht Forum in New York City.  Among the other guests, both Reynolds and yours truly were invited to present the case for--and against--a posthumous pardon.  Here's an opportunity to revisit that discussion and perhaps draw your own conclusions: Should John Brown today be pardoned? 

If you'd like to view a video of the entire "Five Nine 2011" program on YouTube, click on this link: https://youtu.be/TT4hvNgmtxY?si=BrNRafHG6ilf9E__