The History of Riots: An American Tradition

With the protests and riots in the United States and around the world prompted by the death of George Floyd, the question regarding the benefits of rioting to fight systemic racism has become a hot-button issue among Americans. Some people have claimed that the riots are unjustifiable even due to the situation at hand: systemic and institutional racism. I believe that to disregard the history of rioting is dangerous, and it is important to note that the very country they so graciously defend was built on the very foundation of rioting and the right to protest. The idea that the end to systemic racism can solely be achieved peacefully has not resulted in change throughout American history. In fact, the most important events in history that shaped America as we know it, have been achieved through demonstrations such as riots.

The United States of America won its independence from Great Britain through the American Revolution (Revolutionary War) from 1775-1783. To say the American Revolution was a peaceful interaction would be untrue. In fact, one of the most impactful and infamous proceedings of the American Revolution was the Boston Tea Party, a riot in which almost $1 million dollars in tea, in current-day value, was lost, when colonists in America threw the goods into the Boston Harbor to protest hefty taxes. Taxation without proper representation in Britain was unfair and violated the rights of the colonists in America. The colonists rioted to not only help bring light to the issue but also to try and make the British Monarchy understand the depth of the issue. America was founded on the principle of rioting to make sure the leaders understand the vehemence of the issues at hand. How is it any different when our black brothers and sisters do the same? Why are they labeled as “thugs” when they decide to riot against injustice, but when white people do it, they are “patriotic”? The Boston Tea Party played a significant role in facilitating the American Revolution, with the Intolerable Acts. The Intolerable Acts were passed by the British Monarch to “punish” the American Colonists for the Boston Tea Party, raising indignation and displeasure of both the Colonists and the Monarch, leading to the Revolutionary war that resulted in American Independence from British rule.

Many protests took during the Civil Rights Movement resulted in legislative action to counteract racial discrimination in the United States. However, it is important to note that not all protests of the Civil Rights Movement were peaceful despite Martin Luther King Jr.’s agenda of peaceful protesting. After King’s assassination in 1968 a series riots broke out and after the sixth day of rioting, Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1968 into law. The Civil Rights Act of 1968 prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, sex, religion, or national origin concerning the rental, sale, and/or financing housing. As housing and the communities where Black Americans live is the basis of systemic oppression, this was an important and impactful step in moving toward equality in business opportunities among Black Americans. These riots played a major role in pushing the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, forcing lawmakers and President Lyndon B. Johnson to pay attention to the issue plaguing Black citizens. Riots play an important part in putting pressure on an oppressive government to gain results for an America that is for all. This very instance proves that.

The Stonewall Riots are just another example of riots achieving real results and another step in moving towards equality for the LGBTQ+ community. In June 1970, the police performed a routine raid on Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in New York. Although police raids on institutions that were affiliated with the LGBTQ+ community were common in the late 20th century, in this particular instance, the people of Stonewall Inn resisted the raid, which resulted in riots breaking out all throughout New York. The Stonewall Riots prompted advancements for the LGBTQ+ community while allowing it to become a legitimate movement to better coordinate efforts in achieving equality. The Stonewall riots became a symbol for LGBTQ+ liberation all over the world.

It is also important to note all of the impactful changes that the current riots and protests have been as a result of social outcry due to protests around the United States. In just a few weeks, the four officers involved George Floyd’s death have been charged. Breonna Taylor’s case has been reopened and one out of the three officers involved in her death has been fired. Elijah McClain’s case has been reopened. Many monuments, flags, amusement rides, and ad campaigns built on racism have been dismantled. Police forces in New York and in California are diverting funds from the police budget onto other, better-equipped departments and community programs that help communities of color. Numerous laws have been put into place as a step to ending police brutality, such as the banning of chokeholds, restricting no-knock warrants, enacting hate crimes legislation in states such as Georgia, and to falsely call 911 on a person of color. Schools around the country are cutting their ties to their local police department, as a measure to defund them and reinvest resources. Schools in New Jersey will have a focus area on Black History while teaching American History. More and more companies, celebrities, and universities are being held accountable for their lack of diversity and racist remarks made. The House of Representatives recently passed the Justice in Policing Act of 2020 meant to prevent racial bias in policing, create a national database for police misconduct, reinvest into community-based programs from excessive budgets, end qualified immunity, require body cameras, and limit no-knock warrants and bans chokeholds. The bill will also allow the DOJ and attorney generals to investigate police departments with patterns of misconduct. The sweeping plan passed by Democrats in the House of Representatives will bring real change to police reform in the United States.

America was founded on riots. Our founding fathers saw the injustice that occurred and decided to fight for what is right. Minorities in America, time and time again, have had to fight for basic human rights. None of them have been achieved peacefully. That is what is at play here. Black Americans are having to fight for basic human rights: the right to live and not be murdered by those that are supposed to protect them. Riots, proven by history, can do just that. This can and will not be achieved peacefully, but do not think for a second that it is not necessary. Every building burnt, every dollar burnt away is for George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, Trayvon Martin, Ezell Ford, Tamir Rice, and the list can go on for ages. Riots are part of the fight. If you believe that the riots are destructive to the cause, please understand the pain of the colonists in America, the Civil Rights leaders in the 20th century fighting against segregation and racism, the LGBTQ+ community that fought for their liberation, and the suffragettes that fought to pass the 19th Amendment. Be on the right side of history, fight for equal rights for all, by any means necessary.

Edited By: Austen Wyche