Disruptions are temporary. Structural racism in this country is ever-present.
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Let me get this out of the way and be as frank as possible. You cannot claim any sort of moral high ground if you’re more concerned with disruptions not reaching your jobs, churches, highways, and neighborhoods as long as justice does not exist for an entire population of people in America.
Disruptions are temporary. Structural racism in this country is ever-present.
These disruptions don’t occur in a vacuum. Context informs them. To get that many people to disrupt life all across America means that the legal, less risky channels for addressing one’s grievances have been exhausted. Petitions, sanctioned marches, recording the police, and lawyering up have failed.
Does a petition occupy physical space, garner wall-to-wall news coverage, or offer feelings of solidarity and pride amongst people who in their own homes feel isolated and alone in a world that oppresses them? No.
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As for the tactic of the disruptions themselves, let’s simply ask ourselves this: Does a petition occupy physical space, garner wall-to-wall news coverage, or offer feelings of solidarity and pride amongst people who in their own homes feel isolated and alone in a world that oppresses them? No.
Does lobbying city hall provide a visual representation that not only offers a public gesture of allyship, but becomes compounded with authenticity as it enters the realm of civil disobedience when participants put their bodies up to the whims of police as they risk imprisonment and brutality? No.
Critics often talk about civil disobediance as if it’s the only wrench in the tool kit. Are the temporary occupations of highways and public transit the sole activity organizers are utilizing? No. There’s a diversity of tactics at play ranging from public debate, sit-downs with the President of the United States, petitions, get out the vote drives, hiring lawyers, etc.
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Activists’s activists will often offer you advice on when the right time for civil disobedience exists and when it doesn’t. And frankly, I’d follow the adage, “If you see a Buddha in the road, kill it.” Predicting how social change works and whom you bring on as an ally and whom you don’t isn’t a science. Visceral reactions in people lead them to act and they operate out of a place where they think what they’re doing is morally right. That story of action is important, even if one doesn’t agree with the timing or the tactic itself.
Also, movements are never wholly unified in theory and personality and action. I’m sure the critics’ very concerns of workers’ issues is a big part of the debate within the marketplace of ideas not only for casual observers, but for activists themselves. And participation, the feeling of free association, is winning out for many people who believe that the worker issues is a concession they’re willing to give up to effect a larger end game against the fight of structural racism. I’m sure many people are sitting out because of those concerns too, but still have much to offer within the larger movement itself.
It’s easy not to deal with racism if you’re not affected by it, but these actions bring stories into the light.
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Social change demands disruption — without a change to the homeostasis of the system and a refusal to play into the rules of hegemonic power, no new rules and boundaries can be imagined or established. After all, like I said previously, following orthodox power’s suggestion on how to redress your concerns seems a bit irrational considering all the legal and least disruptive channels appear to have been exhausted.
The boycotts, nonviolent protests of MLK Jr., the riots after Stonewall disrupted life for people and it made stories visible in tangible ways. It’s easy not to deal with racism if you’re not affected by it, but these actions bring stories into the light. The tactic of nonviolent civil disobedience is a dare to authority — a dare to act in public, on tape, how you normally act when you think no one (the powerful and privileged) is watching. The reason the Civil Rights-era actions in Birmingham, Alabama, were so effective was because it showcased the tactics that the police utilized in black neighborhoods that were tucked away from whites due to racist housing discrimination.
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And these tactics work. Power gets scared easily. As an activist who’s been invited to sit and “discuss things” with power after engaging in civil disobedience, I always used to laugh when they’d express the desire to change. I’d literally think to myself, “You can already do what you want — what are you so afraid of?”
The numbers scare them. If power has lawyers and money, we have the ability to scare people with numbers. It’s at these times of crisis that people may actually listen to our arguments because they’re finally hearing something that’s been excluded from the marketplace of ideas. Dare I say these actions alter attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors? They do.
They showcase that there is a multiverse of reality by reframing what daily reality looks like. This goes both for power and casual observers (who are sometimes shift workers just trying to get to work.) Maybe they’re pissed that they’re late; maybe they’re proud that on the way to their jobs they see hope is in the future. I don’t know. I think it’s dangerous territory to assume that these temporary inconveniences make a majority of people upset because countless stories from the past few days see people leaving their commute to join in.
Lastly, it’s worth examining how in these times folks are apt to point out how shift workers lose out on work, yet are mostly absent from any working class organizing and allyship.
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Photo: AP/John Minchillo
Every time a road is blocked, a conservative meme is born this is not working its not helping. It is the reason the right is rising. It is the reason Nixon won on law and order it is the reason Reagan won on law and order, They have you all convinced that getting in the system will work for you. It wont. It is time to put them into the system and use the law non consent while being law abiding citizens to fight the goverment. FOIA REQUESTS OPRA REQUESTS cameras watching them while being lawfully present in places they… Read more »
I can only say that Dr. Martin Luther King had so much more respect for all people of color. He made sure his statements came out loud and clear by following the rules and coordinating a peaceful protest that others knew about before placing others in unknown inconveniences and possible hurt. He cared for all people while promoting equality for the black community. He actually made a difference without inconveniencing other lives that matter.
Not entirely true. There were sit in’s and boycotts colored people did that hurt a lot of people during these protest. You also have to remember these protest were directed at people of non color.
Some of these comments are really to hilarious. *Now* you care so much about people in ambulances. Do you throw at fit about yourselves and others when you’re on MA-3 going to Cape Cod, and it’s completely backed up with your irresponsible beach-seeking ways?
Did you ever stop to think that the people sitting in traffic may actually agree with what you are protesting, but they choose to do it in a more dignified and safe manner. Thinking of ALL LIVES THAT MATTER
Is it’s okay to block emergency vehicle access regardless of skin tone? okay to block police from reaching actual crimes regardless of the color of the skin? Perhaps the protesters really need to think about their actions not just the actions of the police.
How many of the protesters have jobs? Where do they get the time to do this? I fear my tax dollars are providing their lodging, food, healthcare and more. If this is true my tax dollars allow them to restrict me from going work, burning my business to make more money to pay their expenses. We do not need your protesting. We you to take responsibility to get a job, vote, and make difference By what you accomplish – not what you destroy. So let’s say you are successful of taking down the system that who thinks restricts your progress.… Read more »
If the issue is blatant disrespect and disregard for others lives how is doing that to other people helping bring forth attention to your issue?
Matthew,
Yes, I believe one of the biggest issues is blatant disrespect/disregard for people’s lives.
What are you doing to support them and foster greater respect for human lives rather than get in the way of them being heard? Are you asking police officers what they are doing to promote greater respect or do you just ask those whose people are being murdered why they’re upset, reacting, etc?
I’m tired of hearing about traffic being a problem in this case when I sit in traffic on because of rock concerts, football games, films being made, parades, and accidents. We have had decades of police brutality and people dying in custody, otherwise known as a major human rights problem. People have been ignoring the problem no matter how many newspaper articles, petitions, sidewalk protests and other things have been done. I protested “on the sidewalk” fifteen years ago over this stuff and even spent a day in jail for it. Fat lot of good that did. So yeah, we’re… Read more »
Hear hear!!
but its ok to block the two ambulances trying to get to a Boston area hospital today correct
They actually were allowing emergency vehicles through. All of the important protests throughout history have blocked traffic or disrupted daily life in some way. But we don’t go writing in history books that MLK was a bad guy because he didn’t let the cars through… People are so spoiled. If you’re angry, good! You should be! We all should be. But don’t get mad at the people that have the courage to do something. If you want to make big changes, you have to disrupt lives. Thank you to those that have been out there making democracy happen while everyone… Read more »
Well said Amanda! We are focused ont eh wrong things here….If it werent for protestors of the past we wont be living this posh life of ours now to go to those babysitters..SMH!
Amanda to Boston ambulances for stuck in traffic with medical emergencies. The protesters in Boston did not give a rats ass about the people in the back of that ambulance. I agree with protesting I agree with what happened was wrong. But when you are disrupting the lives of other people in emergency situations you are just as bad as the police
I can tell you as a participant at one of these styles of events tonight that protesters were very cognizant of your concerns. For instance, they refused to occupy a street when they realized it was an access point to a nearby hospital, and the not only allowed a fire truck and an ambulance pass, they also made sure public busses were able to as well. Your concerns were at least heard tonight in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Thank you for raising these points.
I agree with Michael and Lynne. Having had heart attacks myself, I personally know what it means to get to the hospital quickly. My son-in-law is a firemen and can tell you how important it is to have access.
Are there any examples of protests actually blocking any sort of emergency vehicle?
I’ve never heard of that. Please link to any examples.
Some people are claiming protestors did allow emergency vehicles through. I can’t confirm that they did or not but all the other reasons are still just as valid.
http://www.universalhub.com/2014/traffic-jam-caused-protests-kept-paramedics
Here is one example I saw
Where do all these people live where this is the only source of traffic jams? Must be nice. I’ve lived in DC an NYC where roads become parking lots on a daily basis.
“On several occasions, the marchers spilled into the street and obstructed traffic, including an FDNY ambulance on Madison Avenue, in scenes reminiscent from those a week ago.”
http://observer.com/2014/12/thousands-gather-in-midtown-to-protest-eric-garner-decision/
Tom, While I’m glad you got the immediate, urgent assistance you needed for an unforeseen emergency in your life, I think you’re misunderstanding the context of these protests here. Eric Garner’s death was a deliberate, preventable, public lynching by people supposedly hired to serve and protect when we supposedly live in a post-racial society (per our Supreme Court judicial system). His instigated medical emergency was intentionally ignored. Our justice system is designed to supposedly be another layer of serving justice and protection for innocent people. Instead, the Grand Jury/judicial system sent their message loud and clear. It was a blatant… Read more »
I disagree completely. I’m pro-protest but in the case of blocking highways I cannot condone it at all. What about EMS workers trying to get to call? Parents trying to get home to babysitters? People who need to catch flights? I don’t think interfering with the lives of others to make a point wins anyone over to your cause. It just creates enemies.
I strongly disagree with this as do most people I know. People are sometimes struggling to get home to babysitters, or may be trying to catch a flight to see someone who has just had a heart attack and may be dead before they get there. That is real life. That has happened to me and people I know. To have such disregard for other people’s lives, or for how fast emergency responders can get to people who are choking or having diabetic complications or heart attacks, is a disgusting show of humanity. Racism is a horrible disregard for humanity.… Read more »
The most disgusting show of humanity is to think that we, as individuals, are more important and worthy of attention than the people around us. Not only is it selfish, but disruptive to the progress of any community. Do your part to show respect and you will get it right back. It is very rare to see a group of people, even when protesting, refuse to help someone in urgent need for help. Peaceful demonstrations are about solidarity; t is when police force is used that panic, chaos, and a disregard for safety due to fear takes over a group.