It's Kamala!

[Sociopathicsteelerfan]

(09-07-2020, 11:53 AM)Belsnickel Wrote: This isn't intended to pick on you, or to elevate the rioters/looters in this current climate, but this sentiment is something I struggle with. "Politically motivated violence" is what this country was founded on. It has caused us to have the 40-hour work week and many laws that help protect workers around the country including putting an end to child labor. It sparked the Civil War (John Brown's raid was a really big spark on that powder keg). I think this is why I have such a hard time with this climate in general. Whether someone supports or denounces the current spate of violence is based almost entirely on whether or not they agree with the message put forth by those engaging in it.

I completely get what you are saying and I don't disagree with the foundation of your point.  The problem then becomes when is it "acceptable" for those who do not agree to respond in kind?  Honestly, up until the Portland shooting there wasn't much in the way of counter protests.  I'm sure someone here will point out Rittenhouse, but I'm not including someone in that category when all the evidence points towards his acting in self defense.  But let's say the Portland murder (and yes the evidence shows this was a murder) is the start of a spate of counter protests.  Is any violence they use in response equally justified or in keeping with US history?

Quote:While I don't engaged in the violence going on and don't necessarily agree with them 100%, I still find myself looking at this through the lens of historical context. I mean, I had relatives in the Coal Wars and I am proud to be descended from them. I just don't know how to best articulate this idea that we need to readjust our perception of the current events.

I disagree with you here.  We don't need to change our perception of anything.  While I understand your call for perspective it rather ignores that there's a completely opposite side to this coin.  I don't think either group is wholly correct, but that doesn't mean they're wholly wrong either.

Profound change is absolutely possible without violence and one need look no further than same sex marriage to see a perfect example of this.