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In anticipation of protests happening this weekend, and the potential for rioting, I'd like to share a quote by Martin Luther King Jr

Let me say as I've always said, and I will always continue to say, that riots are socially destructive and self-defeating. I'm still convinced that nonviolence is the most potent weapon available to oppressed people in their struggle for freedom and justice. I feel that violence will only create more social problems than they will solve ..... So I will continue to condemn riots, and continue to say to my brothers and sisters that this is not the way. And continue to affirm that there is another way.

But at the same time, it is as necessary for me to be as vigorous in condemning the conditions which cause persons to feel that they must engage in riotous activities as it is for me to condemn riots. I think America must see that riots do not develop out of thin air. Certain conditions continue to exist in our society which must be condemned as vigorously as we condemn riots. But in the final analysis, a riot is the language of the unheard. And what is it that America has failed to hear? It has failed to hear that the plight of the Negro poor has worsened over the last few years. It has failed to hear that the promises of freedom and justice have not been met. And it has failed to hear that large segments of white society are more concerned about tranquility and the status quo than about justice, equality, and humanity. And so in a real sense our nation's summers of riots are caused by our nation's winters of delay. And as long as America postpones justice, we stand in the position of having these recurrences of violence and riots over and over again. Social justice and progress are the absolute guarantors of riot prevention.
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True words you have spoken. But we just can't blame one race. We must not forget that America has failed in their moral values and needs to get back to God, if it wants to heal and be successful. I believe we are heading in that direction. At least I pray so. Only when we turn to God can he make America great again.

Violence is never a good thing...no matter whom it concerns. Both Black and Whites need to work together and come together in harmony. It has been long coming and as long as both parties insist on fighting and exercise nothing but violence, nothing will be resolved. It will take persistent effort on both sides. God tells us to love everyone, not just some.
Miram · 31-35, F
It depends.

Sometimes violence is necessary or your people get erased.

Better calculated violence than dead.

This speech applies to situations where the enemy isn't using violence.

Riots are more than just violence vs violence. It is misdirected violence.
TinyViolins · 31-35, M
@Miram I agree with you. The protests scheduled for this weekend are not really matters of life and death.

In an abstract sense, it's a debate about just vs. unjust enforcement of laws. Thankfully no one has resorted to killing, but when tensions are as high as they are now, it's not outside the realm of possibility
Jokersswild · 22-25
MLK's speeches were aimed at Black people, to quell them from causing unrest in the country. I've never heard a white American quote MLK when their own rights were under attack. That's because they know it's just empty rhetoric.
TinyViolins · 31-35, M
@Jokersswild This particular speech was aimed at a white audience, speaking on behalf of black people.

Furthermore, he did frequently include phrases like "all people" or "all Americans" in his speeches. One of his lesser known quotes is "our separate struggles are really one – a struggle for freedom, for dignity and for humanity"
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TinyViolins · 31-35, M
@BrandNewMan I would take another second to read the post
I'm going to.stay away from it
HiYou12 · 51-55, M
Oh there will be plenty of rioting and looting of businesses, but the media will cover it as “protests”
TinyViolins · 31-35, M
@HiYou12 Everyone has their preferred narrative
samueltyler2 · 80-89, M
@HiYou12 are you just a little biased?
justanothername · 51-55, M
@HiYou12 Clearly a MAGA supporter. Lies and baseless claims are your M.O
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TinyViolins · 31-35, M
@Lilnonames Sounds like the plot of a zombie movie
Lilnonames · F
@TinyViolins so be it👌

 
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