4 ms·

So then your position is: Revenge and destruction and murder are justified so long as it doesn't interfer with a political process?

mikepurvis 6y ago
Other than a small minority of agitators, I don't think most people went to a BLM protest with revenge, destruction, and murder on their mind. I mean, the whole point was opposing the murder of unarmed citizens by agents of the state. The slogan was "defund the police", not "hang Mike Pence." Yes, ~25 Americans were killed last year in connection to these things, but as this article shows, that may be as much about the presence of guns at these things than anything else— here's a pretty solid summary: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/oct/31/americans-killed-protests-political-unrest-acled https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/oct/31/americans-kill...
Red_Leaves_Flyy 6y ago
That's a bad faith argument if I've ever seen one. Understanding why people do things, even bad things, is crucial to easing divisiveness. I understand why people stormed the capitol. I do not condone their actions and hope they are all made examples of. Just as I understand the hundreds of years of history that is behind this summers protests. I am far more sympathetic to the tens of millions that protested against fascism and racism then I am to the actual fascists that tried to usurp democracy and install a dictator while taking scalps. When impoverished, abused, and neglected people peacefully take to streets en masse to demand change are met with brutal policing, that could be war crimes, instead of compromise and change what else do you honestly expect to happen? When millions of people can't afford to put on the table what do you expect them to do when the majority party fails to provide even a poverty level existence during a pandemic that disproportionately effects their demographic? Should they shut up and starve to death? Should they continue to take these beatings from police? Until the field is leveled don't expect this movement to die; they're fighting for their right to live.
- cudgy 6y ago
  So, if more people protest about a long-standing issue, it has more credence than fewer people protesting in one instance about a recent issue? Is that what you are trying to say?
  - Red_Leaves_Flyy 6y ago
    It seems you may be asking a leading question in bad faith with the goal of trapping me in a gotcha. If that's not your goal please clarify your question.

mikepurvis 6y ago

Other than a small minority of agitators, I don't think most people went to a BLM protest with revenge, destruction, and murder on their mind. I mean, the whole point was opposing the murder of unarmed citizens by agents of the state. The slogan was "defund the police", not "hang Mike Pence." Yes, ~25 Americans were killed last year in connection to these things, but as this article shows, that may be as much about the presence of guns at these things than anything else— here's a pretty solid summary: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/oct/31/americans-killed-protests-political-unrest-acled https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/oct/31/americans-kill...

Red_Leaves_Flyy 6y ago

That's a bad faith argument if I've ever seen one. Understanding why people do things, even bad things, is crucial to easing divisiveness. I understand why people stormed the capitol. I do not condone their actions and hope they are all made examples of. Just as I understand the hundreds of years of history that is behind this summers protests. I am far more sympathetic to the tens of millions that protested against fascism and racism then I am to the actual fascists that tried to usurp democracy and install a dictator while taking scalps. When impoverished, abused, and neglected people peacefully take to streets en masse to demand change are met with brutal policing, that could be war crimes, instead of compromise and change what else do you honestly expect to happen? When millions of people can't afford to put on the table what do you expect them to do when the majority party fails to provide even a poverty level existence during a pandemic that disproportionately effects their demographic? Should they shut up and starve to death? Should they continue to take these beatings from police? Until the field is leveled don't expect this movement to die; they're fighting for their right to live.

cudgy 6y ago
So, if more people protest about a long-standing issue, it has more credence than fewer people protesting in one instance about a recent issue? Is that what you are trying to say?
- Red_Leaves_Flyy 6y ago
  It seems you may be asking a leading question in bad faith with the goal of trapping me in a gotcha. If that's not your goal please clarify your question.