Why Unrest is Necessary

The purpose of a demonstration or a protest is to create an awakening or a greater awareness within the American people.  It is a demand for an end to injustice, the protection of establish liberties, or the establishment of a liberties which are denied.  Its primary purpose is designed to end the ignorance and/or apathy responsible for creating and sustaining an unhealthy and totally unacceptable climate - to propel those in power to adequately, finally and completely respond to rational grievances.  

The labor movement and humane treatment in the workplace, slavery and civil rights, an end to the Vietnam war and, naturally, our revolutionary war, all needed the spark of serious unrest to succeed. 

Passive or peaceful methods and means always preceded the uprisings.  Americans are not normally stirred to take action until or unless a real sense of urgency occurs.  Therefore, protests and demonstrations, by their very nature, must be messy to instill a real sense of urgency through fear and the threat of loss.  That sense of urgency acts as the catalysis to seriously address the issues and injustices that are commonplace and systemic.

Our history has taught us that just verbally and vocally demanding change isn’t enough.  Those with power wield the biggest clubs.  We must be willing to fight for it.  We must be willing to disrupt daily life, business operations and if necessary to break some windows. These acts awaken the American public to the helplessness and awful sense of frustration that festers.  Initiatives like blocking traffic can create this far greater understanding.  The anger it generates in those being hampered or inconvenienced through becoming powerless to freely move about, correlates exactly to the same sense of anger and frustration the demonstrators are experiencing.  Eventually this anger finds the correct focus and target and thus aids in the changes necessary to establish or restore the liberties being denied.   

If we are unable to appreciation this reality and rise above our own desires to the broader concerns of the suffering and dying, then we are unable to accurately understand the necessity and methods employed in forming a “a more perfect union.” 

The current uprising also reminds us that we can’t remain apathic forever.  Sooner or later, the bill comes due.  

The Civil Rights Act Of 1964 didn’t save George Floyd’s life or the lives of so many others murdered at the hands of law enforcement.  The Brady Bill didn’t prevent the unprecedented horror of the slaughters in Las Vegas or at Sandy Hook.  Wages have failed to keep pace with inflation.  So the awful struggle and battle must continue.

The exact same unrest will have to accompany any meaningful change to end our gun carnage, our forever and putrid waring or to even establish a humane health care system. 

Freedom is a constant struggle for each and every generation of Americans.  In a free and open society hatreds will be forever fostered.  The vast majority of us are indeed sickened by the hatreds and the inevitable violence they spur.  Yet this vast majority ALSO desires change to end unfairness and brutality – to reinforce the principles that have defined the spirit of our nation - to achieve justice. 

So, either we create a new and very firm national resolve to attack hatred and eradicate its viciousness in its infancy or we will have to accept disruptions and yes, even violence, as the price we must pay to establish and protect our liberties.  While we may not be happy about it, we need to clearly understand the necessity of it and accept it - just as we have had to accept the immoral acts of Hiroshima and Nagasaki as having been necessary.  

We live in a perilous time.  Let’s not fail to recognize the blessings it offers us.  It is an exciting time. A time of rejuvenation and hope for a brighter tomorrow.  We are witnessing firsthand a rebirth of our history through a fierce determination to strengthen our Republic and a fervor for the common good and general welfare of our nation. 

Historically, voices raised must be loud and noisy. Those who create the ruckus will always be cruelly and publicly demeaned.  Yet it is in large measure their courage and abandonment of self for this greater good that is often seen as the essence of their movement and what makes them and their cause ultimately irresistible.