Zayd Ayers Dohrn's memoir, 'Dangerous, Dirty, Violent, and Young: A Fugitive Family in the Revolutionary Underground,' offers a disturbing glimpse into the life of a child raised amidst the radicalism of the Weather Underground, led by his parents, Bill Ayers and Bernardine Dohrn. The Weather Underground, a violent extremist group born from Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), advocated for the overthrow of the U.S. government through bombings and other acts of terror, actions that Dohrn's memoir appears to normalize.

The group’s actions, including bombings of the Pentagon and police stations, were not acts of protest but acts of domestic terrorism that endangered innocent lives and undermined the rule of law. Bernardine Dohrn’s placement on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted list underscores the seriousness of her crimes and the threat she posed to national security.

Dohrn's memoir reveals a childhood steeped in anti-American sentiment and a distorted view of justice. His parents' attempts to frame their actions as akin to Robin Hood or the Rebel Alliance from Star Wars demonstrate a troubling lack of accountability and a failure to recognize the gravity of their offenses.

His description of his mother as a progressive activist who became radicalized by the assassinations of Black civil rights leaders and the escalation of the Vietnam War attempts to justify her descent into extremism. However, violence is never the answer, and resorting to terrorism is a betrayal of American values.

The fact that Bernardine Dohrn served a relatively short prison sentence and subsequently passed the bar exam, while Bill Ayers earned a doctorate in education, raises questions about the justice system's handling of these former radicals. Their successful transition into middle-class professionals should not obscure the damage they inflicted on society through their violent actions.

The book’s title, derived from the Jefferson Airplane song 'We Can Be Together,' celebrates a culture of lawlessness and rebellion against legitimate authority. This glorification of extremism is deeply troubling and sends the wrong message to young people.

Dohrn’s memoir serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of radical ideology and the importance of upholding law and order. It is a reminder that violence and extremism are never justified, and that those who engage in such behavior must be held accountable for their actions.

The story also raises concerns about the influence of radical leftists in academia, given that Dohrn teaches at Northwestern University. It is essential that universities promote intellectual diversity and ensure that students are exposed to a range of perspectives, not just those of the far left.

Ultimately, Dohrn's memoir should be viewed with skepticism and concern. It is a product of a deeply flawed upbringing and a reflection of the enduring influence of radical ideology. The focus should not be on romanticizing these actions, but on condemning them and reaffirming the importance of American values.

Zayd Ayers Dohrn's memoir, while a personal account, serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of unchecked radicalism and its potential to undermine the foundations of a free society.