Protests
How to make a statement without violence
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About.
About.
On this web page I will be discussing the Black Lives Matter protests throughout the years and how, as a society we can improve them to be less violent, more impactful and how to send the message clearly without any violent and aggressive repercussions.
As you may have seen on the news or social media, the Black Lives Matter protests (in some cases) have gotten out of hand and resulted in injuries. After seeing those videos you might've been discouraged to join a peaceful protest and sometimes lose hope in the movement entirely. I can tell you that it certainly made me think twice as well as countless others who are just as eager for change but would rather not get caught up in fire fights and riots, especially those who have children with them at these peaceful protests.
My name is Nick and my vision for this webpage is to show or help to make future peaceful protests live up to their name by providing examples, and alternative ways to make a statement. Killing them with kindness is what I'm striving for.
Sending A Safer Message
Sending A Safer Message
Throughout the years the protests regarding Black Lives Matter have been increasing in popularity as more and more people fight for equality, not only based on skin tone but with race, religion, gender and sexuality. So my question is, why do so many injuries and melicious acts happen during a time where people gather based on the idea that there should be peace and equality for all people?
Now let me make it clear that these injuries that occur during these peaceful protests are not being blamed on the police nor am I blaming the protesters. However, the way the police handle these acts of peace should not be an option for people with signs and flags, going up against officers in swat gear, tear gas flying everywhere and batons whaleing on people who mean absolutly no harm to his or her fellow man.
First of all, these protesters are going to a peaceful protest yet they are already anticipating a fire fight. So already there's people on edge. Then you place those people infront of police dressed for riots. So what the hell do you expect to happen? Not only are the protesters on edge you then hav police on edge just waiting for one person to make a wrong move, watching and waiting for a reason to put that riot gear to use.
My short and simple solution to this would be that the police should be more self aware of the countless police brutality cases and make changes to the way they deescalate certain situations. I'd also like to point out that as long as these brutality cases keep happening, the protests will continue to occure and get bigger and bigger the more people realize that this isnt how human beings should be treated. So my messege to the police is slowly you will have to join the fight because the people have made it very clear that we will keep standing up and fighting for what's right.
Some examples of police joining the fight are Genesee County Sheriff Chris swanson who not only took off his riot gear, but started marching with the protesters. Other officers in Santa Cruz California such as Police Cheif Andy Mills was seen taking a knee with the protesters and one officer even said "let's not make this a protest, let's make thisa parade."
While very encouraging, this type of change is needed not only in America but globaly.
Code of Silence.
Code of Silence.
The police "Blue wall of silence" somtimes refered to as "the blue code" or " blue shield" are terms used by police officers, essentially they use this to not report on a fellow officers errors, crimes, or misconducts, including police brutality.
This unwritten code has gotten many officers out of trouble not only for police brutality but countless other acts police officers have commited. This "code" goes so far for their brothers and sisters in arms that often times they can't even admit when their procedures to deescalate certain situations don't work.
July 2016, on Hot97, a radio show hosted by Ebro Darden, Laura Stylez, and Peter Rosenberg, Rosenberg and fellow hosts are having conversation regarding the death of Alton Sterling. Now I bring this up because during one conversation Peter Rosenberg is having with an officer, Peter asks him, " On the surface, as an officer yourself, it looks bad, no?" The officer couldn't give a clear response. Rosenberg goes on to say, ["This is the problem I have with police officers and no disrespect to you, but y'all don't ever want to admit and point to someone else and say, " You can't do your job well ". He continues, " if I heard a radio personality get on the air and do something irresponsible I'd go that's a bad radio personality, he does a bad job. Cops never want to say when you do a bad job"]. Peter then says that it shouldn't be the public protesting, it should be the cops in the front lines instead of hiding behind bad police officers.
Here is the video I'm referencing if you'd like to give it a look and make your own opinion on it.
Here is the video I'm referencing if you'd like to give it a look and make your own opinion on it.
We need less of this...
And a lot more of this. But this issue is much like a drug addict, for them to change they need to accept their flaws and work from the inside out.
To recap, for change to occur we need to realize that most protesters are coming from a kind hearted place and most of the time mean no harm. The police mean no harm as well. The police collectively need to highly consider reporting bad behaviour and the system they are supporting is flawed in many ways.
I urge you, officer or citizen to please remember that even though some of you may be on opposite sides of this fight, that we are ALL human and we all want peace.
How would you change or improve protests?
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