Politico has a long piece on Black Prohibitionism by a political science prof, Mark Lawrence Schrad.
My mother was death on alcohol. I never quite understood it. As I've gotten older I wonder whether someone in the family was a drunk. I don't know of any likely candidate, but her vehemence makes me wonder.
Anyhow, the piece puts prohibition back into the context of Progressive Era ideas to improve human life. Some of those ideas are still considered good (secret ballot), some are now considered bad (eugenics), some have seen their reputation vary over the years (referendums, city managers, experts).
I'm not sure on prohibition. We're in the process of legalizing marijuana, partially on the grounds it's less dangerous than alcohol. I've still enough puritan in me to believe that life is hard and one should not try to round off the corners. Some of the critics of prohibition see it as reflecting WASP prejudice against recent immigrants who frequented saloons. But then I read Samantha Powers memoir which deals with the alcoholism of her father (very interesting).
My current bottom line is it's good to have people on both sides of the issue--not good for one side to have it all their own way.
