On Demonstrations and Such

Today in America we are facing three major crises – – An unprecedented pandemic, a serious economic downturn and widespread social upheaval. In time, the first two will pass. I am more worried about the third. The ability to demonstrate and to protest is a lawful means to draw attention to particular grievances and to generate a greater following for needed change.  Demonstrations and protests, in themselves, do not change anything. It is only the responsible authorities, when broad public consensus is recognized, that can take corrective actions. To be effective the demonstration must secure extensive public backing. Legitimate protestors are driven by the constitutional right for social justice and equality for all, but regrettably, too often, they are joined by what I will call ‘secondary’ protestors with only personal gain or other non sequitur agendas in mind.  This secondary group dilutes, even thwarts, the noble objective of the basic undertaking.  ‘Black Lives Matter’ was a serious movement to draw attention to a perceived growing racial divide. But what is most remembered by that effort is the senseless violence, the unrestrained looting and the wanton destruction.  However advisable it may be, how does removing an old historic monument improve social justice today?  How does defunding the police improve the lives of anybody today? How does creating autonomous enclaves in our cities advance the cause of any minority today? Such ‘secondary’ actions do not engender the necessary broad public support for the cause under whose banner they are being waged. I have no data, but let me venture to say that support for the BLM or any other movement grows slimmer with every non-peaceful incident not directly related to its core aspiration. 

• – – – Just the view of a common man.