Zayd Ayers Dohrn, son of 1960s radicals Bill Ayers and Bernardine Dohrn, spent his childhood evading the FBI and living in hiding. His parents, leaders of the Weather Underground, were committed to armed resistance against the US government, and their actions led to a life of secrecy and danger for their family.
Dohrn’s mother, a key figure in the Students for a Democratic Society, was on the FBI’s 10 Most Wanted list for years, and the family was constantly on the move. The Weather Underground’s activities, including planting bombs in empty police cars and the Pentagon, were a response to the Vietnam War and social injustices of the time.
Radical Upbringing
Dohrn’s parents tried to explain their situation to him in simple terms, comparing themselves to Robin Hood or the Rebel Alliance from Star Wars. However, the reality of their life was far more complex, with the family often separated and living in fear of capture. Dohrn’s mother eventually turned herself in and spent nearly a year in prison, during which time he would visit her and smuggle in small books to read together.
The family’s life took a dramatic turn when they took custody of Chesa Boudin, the son of imprisoned revolutionaries Kathy and David Gilbert. This experience, along with his parents’ eventual decision to leave their radical life behind and become middle-class professionals, has had a lasting impact on Dohrn’s perspective on family, activism, and social justice.
Dohrn, now a playwright and screenwriter, has written a memoir, Dangerous, Dirty, Violent, and Young: A Fugitive Family in the Revolutionary Underground, which explores his family’s complex history and the contradictions of his parents’ decision to have children while living on the run.
Legacy of Activism
The story of Dohrn’s family serves as a reminder of the tumultuous 1960s and the enduring impact of activism on American society. The Weather Underground’s actions, though controversial, were a response to the social and political climate of the time, and their legacy continues to influence contemporary social justice movements.
Dohrn’s experience also highlights the challenges faced by families involved in radical activism, where the pursuit of social change can come at a great personal cost. As the US continues to grapple with issues of inequality and social justice, the story of Dohrn’s family serves as a powerful reminder of the complexities and nuances of activism and its effects on those involved.
