The Line Between Protest and Riot

By Keith “Shin” Schindler, June 03, 2020

Howdy, Everybody!

Hope Y’all are doing well despite COVID-19 and the Protests/Riots resulting from George Floyd’s death.

As you can see from the title, I’ll be sharing my views on Protests and Riots.

Firstly, I must say that George Floyd’s death is a horrendous tragedy, and those protesting in his honor, against racial inequality have my understanding and support.

So, now . . . .

Why share about the line between Protest and Riot?

Well, I pulled up one of my Twitter accounts on May 31st, finding a Tweet put up by Zero Day Finance dot Com (@zerodayfinance):

“I cannot believe that so many PF/FIRE blogs are still posting their normal stuff with everything that’s happened over the past 7 days”

@zerodayfinance, May 31, 2020, https://twitter.com/zerodayfinance/status/1267089622888321024

I replied to the Tweet, in that my training taught me that some folks need things of comfort, such as posts about “Normal Stuff.”

“As a certified counselor I learned, in my training, that many folks NEED little things of comfort to help deal with upsets and negativity in life. Regular activities, such as reading about positive topics, help them maintain a sense of balance. J.M.H.O.”

@MoneyIsNotTaboo, June 01, 2020, https://twitter.com/MoneyIsNotTaboo/status/1267405612784119808

Another Tweeter, @ElyssaJK, responded to the thread with:

“Black people asking not to be murdered is not “negativity””

@ElyssaJK, May 31, 2020, https://twitter.com/ElyssaJK/status/1267176581128007680

I replied directly to @ElyssaJK, agreeing that Black people asking not to be murdered is not “negativity,” but the resulting “Protests” were. I used protest in quotation marks, in reference to the riots that erupted from protests, resulting in violence, vandalism, theft, and other actions that did not champion the cause “Black Lives Matter.”

My response resulted in @ElyssaJK and I tweeting back and forth, even after I asked her to direct message me, to share what she believed I was missing in her repeated questioning in regards to my thoughts on the “Line between protests and riots.”

In one response to me, @ElyssaJK short quoted Dr. Martin Luther King in sharing, “. . . . riots are the language of the unheard,” just a few words from the actual sentence “And I must say tonight that a riot is the language of the unheard.” which in itself was a few words of that which Dr. King shared in his speech “The Other America,” in 1964.

If you’re interested in reading all that Dr. King had to say, when sharing the words that @ElyssaJK short quoted, they are available for viewing online at: https://www.gphistorical.org/mlk/mlkspeech/index.htm

I’ve read through the speech, and in doing so, I came upon the following words included in that very speech from which @ElyssaJK plucked, “. . . riots are the language of the unheard.”:

“And I would be the first to say that I am still committed to militant, powerful, massive, non­-violence as the most potent weapon in grappling with the problem from a direct action point of view. I’m absolutely convinced that a riot merely intensifies the fears of the white community while relieving the guilt. And I feel that we must always work with an effective, powerful weapon and method that brings about tangible results. But it is not enough for me to stand before you tonight and condemn riots. It would be morally irresponsible for me to do that without, at the same time, condemning the contingent, intolerable conditions that exist in our society.”

King, Martin Luther, Dr.; “The Other America”; Grosse Point Historical Society, March 14, 1964; https://www.gphistorical.org/mlk/mlkspeech/index.htm

Did you notice the following in the quote above?:

But it is not enough for me to stand before

you tonight and condemn riots.

So, in response to @ElyssaJK’s repeated questioning, “What for you is the line between “actual protests” and riots?”, I offer the following:

Not once did I indicate that I did not understand the reason for, or question genuine protests against the continued racial inequity exhibited in the United States, nor do I discount the protests in response to the horrendous tragedy of the death of George Floyd.

I do understand the rational behind the genuine protests, and stand with the protesters in standing against racial inequality and the manner in which George Floyd was treated, resulting in his death.

I refer to the riots as “Protests,” not Protests, using quotation marks indicating that the term is used inappropriately.

Lets call riots what they are, Riots.

According to Merriam-Webster (online), the definition of riot:

Riot

“1a: a violent public disorder

specifically a tumultuous disturbance of the public peace by three or more persons assembled together and acting with a common intent

1b: public violence, tumult, or disorder”

“Riot” Merriam-Webster; Accessed June 03, 2020; https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/riot

Protest is not mentioned above, although the closest that might come to protest is “acting with a common intent.” The way I see it, the only intent behind rioting is to cause chaos and destruction, and to engage in theft.

So, how about Protest?

According to Merriam-Webster (Online), the definition of protest:

Protest (Entry 1 of 2)

1: a solemn declaration of opinion and usually of dissent: such as

a: a sworn declaration that payment of a note or bill has been refused and that all responsible signers or debtors are liable for resulting loss or damage

2: the act of objecting or a gesture of disapproval // resigned in protest

3: a complaint, objection, or display of unwillingness usually to an idea or a course of action // went under protest

Protest (Entry 2 of 2)

1: to make solemn declaration or affirmation of // protest my innocence

2: to execute or have executed a formal protest against (something, such as a bill or note)

3: to make a statement or gesture in objection to // protested the abuses of human rights

“Protest” Merriam-Webster; Accessed June 02, 2020; https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/protest

So, @ElyssaJK asked where I draw the line between Protests and Riots?

I draw the line at the point that violence and theft begins, that’s when the intent changes from championing a valid cause to personal gain in the form of release, power, and greed.

Agree, or disagree, it doesn’t matter to me. What matters to me, is my conviction to my morals.

Until next time, Peace!