O’Hara's personal encounter told of receiving a dirty look from a sales clerk when asking for Mein Kampf in a book store. I was taken aback by the ignorant attitude O’Hara portrayed the clerk to have displayed in response to an interest in one of the most important books of the 20th century. This book, in my opinion, should be a part of every high school curriculum around the world. If this book were used as a tool for learning it would aid us in our fight against racism/anti-Semitism but if we continue to deny people access

to it, we are giving the book power as a tool for oppression. O’Hara says this is “the power of taboo” (p75). I say, “the power of ignorance”.

This essay, while eloquently worded, was not thoroughly thought out. Some good points were brought up, but none were substantiated. He made bold statements like: “even the people who oppose racism don’t want to go this deep” (p75), but then quickly moves onto another topic. He himself failing to delve deep into the issue he raised. He points fingers with out offering any suggestions, and states obvious facts as if they were novel. I do not doubt O’Hara’s heart was in the right place or that he had good intentions when he wrote this essay. I do suggest however, that in the future he decide exactly what point he wishes to make before publishing another essay in Hitler’s defense.

I also found O’Hara’s relaxed attitude towards the possible negative effects of making Mein Kampf readily available disturbing. Mein Kampf is a valuable book and should be read by more people than is but let us not down play its power as an influential tool. “What’s the worst that can happen?” O’Hara asks in a sarcastic tone, “Some bigot reads it and becomes even more racist than he was before?” (p75) Yes Mr. O’Hara, exactly; let us imagine that that bigot who was only “slightly racist” reads Mein Kampf and is moved by Hitler’s words. He believes he has found justification for his beliefs and for shooting and killing a few niggers and

Some topics in this essay:
Mein Kampf, Marge Schott, Robert O’Hara, Yes O’Hara, Adolph Hitler’s, mein kampf, Hitler’s Defense”, Falls Coliseum, Defense Critique, Cincinnati Reds, “the power, lazy mind, hitler effective, effective leader, hitler’s defense, tool learning, format especially, hitler effective leader,