Were you at a peaceful protest yesterday? Or did you view photos of some of the many across the country? I’ve seen a number of online comments from folks who are proud that their protests were peaceful, especially right here in Howard County.
I’m glad they were peaceful, too. The right to protest is guaranteed in the First Amendment of the Constitution. But there’s something that white people sometimes miss in these situations. This comment last night on Bluesky spells it out.
Basically any time protests “turn violent” it’s because the cops decided to start shooting at people. I learned this during Bloomberg here in NYC and in Boston during Trump I. Delighted to see other people learning this too but sorry it’s being learned through experience.
The protests in LA are peaceful, too. But they have been met with oppressive shows of force. That’s the difference. It’s not that we in Columbia, Maryland are somehow innately better at “doing it right.”
I’m going to go a step farther and say that protests made up largely of white people are far less likely to be met with violence by law enforcement. Our privilege allows us to express the rights guaranteed in the Constitution because we are white. Because our very whiteness signals “not dangerous” to the powers that be.
This is tough reality to swallow. We don’t want to believe it’s true.
Another thing from Bluesky:
Where is Baltimore's African-American community in this? All I can see are mostly older White folks.
Howard County’s protest action was largely white, as well. And, to be honest, that makes sense. I feel as though the Black community put it all on the line on November 5th. They showed up to vote, to organize, to donate, to advocate. White people let them down.
It is far more dangerous in this country for our Black friends and neighbors to exercise the same constitutional rights that we feel largely secure in.
This is on us.
Not because we are model protesters or have the best signs. But because white people are the ones who must take the risks now, to protect those who have done far more than their share. And because, frankly, those folks are well and truly fed up with white people not standing up and not showing up when it’s important.
This is not to take away from the importance of what happened yesterday. It’s very important. But I hope that these experiences change how we look at news reports that seem to justify the use of force against protesters. Look at what you are being shown. Listen to what you are being told.
Then, think very hard.
If we are successful in preserving Democracy in this country I hope it is a robust and more self-aware Democracy. By that I mean one that isn’t afraid to acknowledge the shortcomings which have, ultimately, made our freedoms more brittle and easily broken.
When it is safe for all in our communities to protest without fear we will be a stronger nation than we are today.
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