Angry: Do's and Don'ts for Critiquing the Riots

A peaceful protester in Atlanta, Saturday, June 6, 2020. Property is important for sure, but our priority should always be people first. (Photo credit to my old friend and colleague from our earliest Saipan days, Tenera Armbrister-Carey)

Are you appalled by the violence, the looting, the destruction of private property attending these protests in the wake of George Floyd's death?  Thinking about voicing your disgust among like-minded friends, random strangers, or sharing on social media?  Here's some helpful tips to help you decide if you should go ahead and fuss:

Do Fuss: If you are the owner of a business that is being directly impacted by rioting and looting. I have no issue with people locking and loading to protect what's theirs.  I mean, you don't have to, but it is certainly your right and I support that. I know I'd take action to protect my property and safety. 

Do Fuss: If you've been attending the protests yourself and have had to "get into it" with supposed protesters who are tearing up property, not listening to the instructions of the protest organizers and so on.

Do Fuss: If you are frustrated because the riot and looting is taking attention away from the legitimate concerns about systemic racism and police brutality in this country. 

Don't Fuss: If you've been shaking your head at the pics on your social media feed and inflammatory videos from your favorite websites, but haven't actually been there yourself. 

While it's noble to be concerned for those who are suffering in the neighborhoods where rioting and looting are taking place, don't fuss if you've never invested any time or treasure in these selfsame neighborhoods. 

Do acknowledge that the situation on the ground is more complex than a video clip or meme may indicate. There are some who are rioting out of pent-up frustration, the voices of the unheard, as Dr. King put it. There are plenty of others who are simply opportunists, selfish people taking advantage of situation to grab some free stuff.  There are people who just want to cause trouble--some on the "side" of the protesters, but also some who are deliberately trying to bring the protests into disrepute.  And then there are the way the police show up--expecting trouble, ready for it, and perhaps creating a self-fulfilling prophecy. I've yet to a hear of a police force that got overwhelmed by the rioters because they showed up without riot gear and teargas. 

If you really care about us, about black people, then do not allow yourself to be distracted. It goes without saying that riots and looting are wrong. What doesn't go without saying is justice and fixing a broken system.