On Riots

Would Dr. King approve of the riots? Should we?
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[@TheLadyBugg8]

James Baldwin: “You always told me ‘It takes time.’ It’s taken my father’s time, my mother’s time, my uncle’s time, my brothers’ and my sisters’ time. How much time do you want for your progress?” There are too many people in power, even some who are "progressive" that drag their feet on enacting policies and laws that help turn the tides against racist practices. It's always "hurry up and wait". Either that, or the changes are so small, weak and ineffectual that they are easily negated by other measures. It's infuriating.

[@monzorella1]

❤️

[@Jane_8319]

That quote has always been one of my favorites and one of the most impactful I have seen

[@LiveLoveSour]

Which book was this from ?

[@dangernoodle9961]

@@LiveLoveSour it's a quote from an interview I believe. You could probably find it by looking up "how much time do you want for your progress"

[@tofu_golem]

This is exactly why moderate "Democrats" such as Biden Bros, Hilary-bots, etc., oppose Bernie and The Squad with every fiber of their being. They complain about our "purity tests" and that we want too much change, and that slow change is the only change we can have, but we know from the Civil Rights movement that demands for slower change are just a demand to prevent change. Let's not forget that Minneapolis is a big city in a blue state. It is time to vote moderate Democrats out with liberal primary challengers because they will never stop using "slow change" as an excuse to prevent change.

[@brifox]

The other thing to note about King: despite being incredibly peaceful and civil and whatever you wanna call it, *he too was murdered by racists*.

[@gelatinocyte6270]

Also: King is anorher example of the "Great Man" myth endemic (the prevailing idea that history is solely driven by so-called great men)

[@PaintedHoundie]

Idk if I really like this sentiment. It feels like this comes from the framework of " MLK was peaceful and they killed him". Which I don't think is a very charitable thing to take from his legacy or in understanding why he actually was assassinated

[@krombopulos_michael]

@@PaintedHoundie I agree. Boiling it down this way distorts the view to the point of it being basically a lie. It implies that he tried being peaceful, and then just died without getting anything done. In fact, he spent years campaigning peacefully and helped enact two pieces of landmark legislation, among many other things. He may have eventually met his demise anyway, but he achieved so much before he did, and he would not have gotten any of it done if he hadn't stuck to peaceful protests.

[@lloroshastar6347]

@@krombopulos_michael Perhaps the shock of him being assassinated and becoming a martyr is what tipped the scales.

[@BollocksUtwat]

@@krombopulos_michael part of the myth of our historiography of MLK is how we credit him alone with doing everything, as you just did. The civil rights movement was a time where milliosn of people were doing many things to advance a cause and it wasn't just MLK's cohort who were prominent in this. There were many factions and many were quite argumentative among one another over effective tactics. Someone like Stokeley Carmichael and MLK had friction over methods, but its also believed the former influenced MLK to become more staunchly anti war as time went on. Its basically a white washing of history to say "MLK achieved all this" because he didn't, not alone. He is but a part of it all and the desire to essentialize something that many people were involved in around one figure that was perhaps the least offensive tot he white establishment is typical. It doesn't tell the whole truth either, how in many ways the more militant methods played their own part in the dynamics of politics, how you erase countless black voices by only focusing on MLK as the central nexus of activist reform. Of course we should ask, why do we so one dimensionally perceive MLK as having won because he was non violent, by himself? Why do we typically quote his words from the earlier days of the civil rights movement and erase a great deal of his more anti capitalist and radical rhetoric that attacks everything from economic distribution of power to the nature of consumerism? Why do we present him as a fixed idaelist rather than the one whose ideas and values evolved even over the course of his time in the spot light up to his death? Why do we rarely discuss his focus on economic inequality as a cornerstone of racism, as he was killed engaging in a poor people's march and organizing around labor dispute? The fact is when you see people quote or invoke MLK against riotous behvior you almost always hear someone condemning the rioters with more strong language than MLK ever did, indicating how little his true values are being expressed in his use as a weapon by moderate white people to police the anger and frustration of minorities.

[@yonokhanman654]

9:09 "Riots do not develop out of thin air." THIS! So much this! How can some people not grasp such a simple concept?

[@akaony]

Systemic denial, social and individual.

[@lotsofuwuenergy3983]

It's much easier to feel indignant about the "thugs" and "joggers" than realize you're benefiting from a system skewed in your favor

[@DeoMachina]

Solidarity from Ireland, stay safe everybody and don't give up! Even in my backwater area there are protests planned, and we have Americans to thank for kicking this all off

[@sjoerdmanshanden5162]

SAME! Im from the Netherlands and I live a largish city (smaller then Southbend, but larger then Burlington). In spite of corona there was a large crowd protesting for BLM (people did do well keeping their distance though, much better then people visiting grocery stores or other places like cafe's). They really inspired me to be more politically active. Though I almost didnt know about it, because there were no disturbances. I only found out about it, because some idiot showed up there wearing blackface (which is called black pete, or zwarte piet in Dutch), and he was carrying a sign saying PietLivesMatter. In a weird way I should be thanking this guy as well? xD

[@robinsonnox9980]

That quote at the end from MLK resonated with me very hard. All throughout the week I've been talking with people that break down the protest issue on whether or not you condemn the riots, and it's bothersome because there's so much more that needs to be said than RIOTS BAD Y/N?

[@XhumpersX]

Holy christ was he a good writer and orator, let alone near prophet for future conflict. Why do they not teach this in schools? The most teachers ever show is his off the cuff speaking about how he has a dream or some nonsense.

[@MethCrystal666]

Hello from Scotland, UK. We see you.

[@emiliepryor51]

Thank you for saying that 🤗

[@chloemcdermott2978]

Same

[@dalmallama4634]

Me too! Well originally...

[@orifox1629]

T1J I think it's vitally important to remember that Slavery has only changed form. the 13th Amendment reads "Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, *except* as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction." Constitutionally, slavery is still legal. They arrest someone for whatever they want and then they can force you into whatever labor they want. It ain't fixed yet.

[@emisor9272]

Don't confuse arrested with convicted. A conviction can take years, during which time a suspect may be detained awaiting trial but not put to work. Slavery may still exist but that last bit about arresting someone on whatever charges to enslave them is too much of a strech.

[@mollyfrommichigan5966]

@@emisor9272 A slave is someone owned by another person that must obey their owner. We are one of the only countries in the world that has a cash bail system. They can keep *innocent* but accused people in jail for *years* because they are poor. Black people clearly have a disadvantage in our "justice system", and so I don't think it is that much of a stretch.

[@anonymousperson6228]

Molly From Michigan correction: POOR people are at a disadvantage. Black people happen to be more likely to be poor.

[@aaronbarton2179]

The Netflix doc “13th” is a great watch on this

[@TheChrisLotus]

This is actually my first time hearing the full version of Dr. King speaking on rioting. I personally havent seen anyone using the quote to justify rioting nor did I think King was in favor of them. I always saw "Rioting is the voice of the unheard" as more of a warning than anything. When Ive spoken with peers about this Ive always used the example of imagine if you were being intensely stalked by someone constantly. You tell your neighbors, friends, law enforcement and none of them listen. They would all be fools to shun you for taking matters into your own hands.

[@mysryuza]

I heard one too many people who used the quote to justify riots, but then again, Twitter is a shithole. I agree with the he warning thing.

[@adamschlinker972]

Malcolm X: "By any means necessary." Ghandi and MLK were murdered. Blood was still involved. T1J: "What is palatable to the white masses isn't always right" Love you man. Hope you're well.

[@shivambeshivambe9109]

Please read up on Gandhi he isnt who you think he is

[@dynamicworlds1]

@@shivambeshivambe9109 they all had their bigotries. We can acknowledge that and their achievements and be better than them.

[@dynamicworlds1]

@Adam I'm white. I will never see justice for the oppression I experience without standing up with black people for justice for them and every other group. The sensibilities of white moderates standing in the way of the equality of all peoples can kiss my ass! My future is tied to yours and humanity cannot all rise while leaving any group behind. ✊

[@krombopulos_michael]

Gandhi and MLK changed the world in a far greater way than Malcolm X did. That's not to say Malcom X wasn't an important historical figure, but he did not have anywhere near the influence of the other two. Probably his greatest contribution was to make MLK seem palatable to white politicians in comparison, allowing MLK to have more leverage over guys like LBJ.

[@zapazap]

Would Malcolm X have thrown acid in the face of a child if he thought that doing so was a necessary means to achieve his ends? (C.f. *1984* )

[@lopez.jacinto.6726]

Greetings from Mexico. I don't know what you should do, nor I think I should be giving you any advice. Fixing this is something only you guys can do, and I believe you will eventually find an answer. All I can say is my thoughts, and I know the thoughts of many people around the world, are with you.

[@sanfransimo]

No offense, but there's much work to be done in Mexico, too. It may not look exactly the way it does in the US but it's racist AF down there.

[@lopez.jacinto.6726]

@@sanfransimo "Nor I think I should be giving you any advice" Next time pay more attention, 🙄

[@sanfransimo]

@@lopez.jacinto.6726 "Fixing this is something only you guys can do." Guess it depends on what the "this" is. The stuff I've witnessed down there is pretty bad, man. Don't go thinking unequal access to justice or racial oppression is US phenomenon that only Americans can do something about. And I don't mean in the universal sense of racism being something seen all over the world in every country.

[@blu-]

@@sanfransimo Dude... of course we know how things are in Mexico, that doesn't mean we cant be empathetic

[@sanfransimo]

@@blu- Didn't mean this to sound critical of empathy or of OPs intent. Just taking issue with the idea that "fixing this is something only you guys can do."

[@TheLadyBugg8]

Thanks for the mention that MLK wasn't the ONLY civil rights leader that made an impact. Whitney Young was very close to LBJ and tried to appeal to, and network with corporations. He tried to convince them that it's socially and economically beneficial to give blacks jobs - widens the tax base, gives investment/development in infrastructure & innovation. He was a KEY influence on LBJ as he pushed the Senate to pass the Civil Rights Act. Thanks for this vid.

[@fairycat23]

+

[@TheLacedaemonian300]

Those words by MLK are so damn powerful! His deep understanding of the human condition, how we act and react to both stagnation and stimulation is masterful to say the least. I really need to familiarize myself with his works a lot more, and I will. There is a large segment of America that lacks the ability to truly empathize, as in: put yourself in another persons shoes empathy. They never learned how to, and they don't want to.

[@citizencalmar]

It's depressing how much people focus on the riots as though they were the main thing happening right now. I mean, I get it. I'm white; the worst encounter I ever had with a cop was when I once stupidly sped up to try and make it through a yellow light and ended up running a red, and when the cop who pulled me over saw it was my 21st birthday he came to the wrong conclusion and acted like a jerk and demanded I get a ride home even though I hadn't been drinking. It was an unfair situation with a power-tripping cop, but that was as far as he took it. I wasn't arrested, I wasn't beaten, and it certainly never occurred to me to fear for my life. That's what white privilege looks like. So I get how people who look like me can see riots in the news and think, "Gosh, it's a shame that black man died, but now all across the country people are rioting and being destructive, and that's disproportionate and scary!" They're so sheltered they can't see that it's not that one black man died, it's that multiple unarmed black people who were not threatening anybody have been murdered by police officers for a very long time now, and the overwhelming majority of protests have been peaceful UNTIL the police themselves escalated. When the so-called President is ordering tear gas and rubber bullets to be used against peaceful protestors so he can cross the street for a fucking photo op, does it even matter at that point if protestors are being peaceful or rioting? You can't have peace when what your enemy wants is war. I agree rioting and looting are bad and shouldn't happen, but you know what? I'm not going to shed a tear for a global megacorporation with great insurance when they have some windows smashed and TVs stolen or whatever, while my fellow human beings continue to be murdered for no reason but that their skin is darker than a napkin, by the very people who are supposed to preserve law and order and keep us safe, openly encouraged by the man whose job is supposed to be to lead this country and try to improve things for everyone. There are more important crimes against humanity going on right now than a bit of rioting and looting.

[@lalakuma9]

Yes, definitely there's more focus on the riot right now than on the injustice that triggered it. But at the same time, I think seeing this much chaos happening makes people afraid that the American society and government would collapse (not just the crappy people that are currently running the government, but the fundamental structure of the society and government itself). In a way, it's not so much that people are focusing on the wrong thing, but the riots actually take away attention from the original issue, because for a lot of people (especially people who aren't black and have never experienced being violated by cops), having your neighborhood burned down is more of an immediate threat than being killed by the police. The thing with riots is, it doesn't really serve any specific purpose. It's more of an incoherent noise of people's anger that would destroy anything in its path, including innocent bystanders. Coming from someone who grew up in a country that went through riots and a political revolution, I really don't think that Americans should romanticize riots. If you can't vote your way into making things better, even a coup is preferable over revolutions.

[@Sofiaode18]

I don't agree with rioters who attack local businesses or innocent civilians though, and "a bit of rioting and looting" can harm communities that are targeted by rioters and looters. Maybe in the grand scheme of things there are more pressing matters but I'm not gonna defend rioters/looters and act as if what they're doing isn't a problem. I do agree that the government response is a lot more drastic than it needs to be, who in their right mind would choose to teargas peaceful protesters instead of to de-escalate the situation.

[@Farfromperfection]

What about the 10 people who have been killed by the rioters? How many of their names do you know? What about the others who have been permanently disabled by the rioters? The fact is 500 black men were killed by other black men last year for every unarmed black man killed by a cop. Most of those unarmed black men were killed by black cops. All that according to the Washington post.

[@mollyfrommichigan5966]

I got pulled over once in MI going 90 and my car definitely smelled like weed. We chatted for a bit. The cop gave me a 5 minute time out and let me go on my way. I thoroughly enjoy how police treat me, I just wish they treated everyone the same way.

[@aj7978]

The poor people who worked at these mega corporations are the ones who being hurt and are now unemployed due to rioting and looting. The black business owners in those cities have had their businesses destroyed and most of them do not have insurance. They are now being thrown under the bus because of your reasoning. Those who lived in these cities are forced to sell or abandoned their homes because everything around them is destroyed. So in the end result, poor people have been fucked over and are now jobless.

[@miahuh]

Hope you're doing well T1J

[@migi3976]

“If King were alive today, his words would threaten most of those who now sing his praises” - Cornel West

[@eightfootmanchild]

I’ve been asking my white friends, and white strangers online, who praised the lockdown protests in Lansing, but criticize the BLM demonstrations: So, if black Americans protesting police brutality were to arm themselves en masse and occupy government buildings, I take it you would be alright with that? I have a very low opinion of humanity, and was expecting mostly weasely, hypocritical answers. I’ve gotten a few of those, but most people have been saying ‘yes’. Some have said they’d join in and stand along side. I hope if it ever happens, they all hold themselves to that.

[@redheadedstepchild9814]

“The time is always right to do right.” Standing with you in love and appreciation from Canada.

[@AmberAmber]

I love your Name!! I loved a Buffalo NY band with the same name :) ✊🏼✊🏽✊🏾✊🏿🖤♥️❤⭕❌ Fellow Canadian! #BLM

[@emilycales6170]

As always, thank you for the thoughtful, nuanced take.

[@sanfransimo]

VERY well put. Thank you. And thank you for showing that King quote in its full context. It is incredibly relevant today. I also keep thinking about Langston Hughes' "Harlem."

[@Vale-fd4pk]

Hope you are safe and strong, I'm from Italy, i can't physically stand with you but i donated and i'm trying to spread awarness even here.

[@hospitalgal101]

"I'd like to hold the police to a higher standard than random rioters on the street" that really stuck out to me

[@bishop6881]

Castile’s murderer just got acquitted, tired of it

[@oneoftheorder]

I agree with you quite often. I've never agreed this vigorously. Thank you.

[@wm2429]

That’s an amazing MLK quote. Thank you for sharing

[@surgeland9084]

I don't really think I can blame people for rioting or looting. It makes sense why people would do it, and the police deploying assault weapons and teargas only demonstrates what people are rioting against. However, I can critisize it as an uneffective tactic. General strikes are more what I would go for personally. It did wonders for Uruguay in the 1970s.

[@Tacom4ster]

Loot Walmart Family mansion, seize the means of production

[@niamhleeson3522]

General strikes require organization that hasn't happened yet. I think they'd work quite well, though. Not surprising people loot in a society that's so heavily invested in commodity fetishism.

[@surgeland9084]

@@niamhleeson3522 That is true. To be fair, in Uruguay, general strikes only became possible after years of violent revolution, and it was largely centered around the leaders of that revolution who lead it secretly from prison, so secretly that they didn't even know. (There's a great film on Netflix called A 12 Year Night, if you're interested.) I hope for something similar in time.

[@displayer6023]

I'm glad to hear you can find it in your heart to forgive these looters for taking away people's livelihoods. It takes real character to take such a moral stand in these trying times.

[@niamhleeson3522]

@@displayer6023 yeah compared to the PEOPLE BEING KILLED BY THE GOVERNMENT it isn't a big deal

[@conycepeda5906]

Sending you a lot of love and support through these harsh times. As a Latina, I stand with you and the fight of the black community. Keep it up

[@facedman8699]

Whenever riots happen the conversation always turns into this. Instead of talking about the issues that let someone like George Floyd die we end up talking about riots being justified or not. My personal opinion about the riots is that I have and forever will be advocating for peace. I think the best course of action is peaceful but if you want to be violent that's on you. But we should not let riots be the main topic of the discussion. We should be talking about why these riots are happening in the first place and fixing those issues. Riot police can disperse a crowd but they will never be able to fix systemic issues.

[@Sky-tg5rt]

Yes

[@DawnBurn]

I really appreciate you reading the wider speech. Very powerful, and very complex. Thank you for raising your voice.

[@rumidude]

That entire lecture "The Other America" is as timely now as it was when Dr. King originally gave it in 1967. It should be required reading as much as his "I have A Dream" speech. Stay HAKO!

[@TaliaOutwrong]

Just wanna say how much I appreciate the years of content you've made, each piece patient, thoughtful and truly discursive. Thank you so much.

[@stompingcaterpillar4784]

Bless ya ❤ you are spot on. "Ultimately people with power must be the ones to change". My prayer for myself: may I be the first to change my negative and selfish ways of thinking and acting, and develop my compassion and strength to help all others. 🙏

[@justinbrown3197]

In a world that seemingly prioritizes material objects over the lives of black people, looting makes sense as an emotional catharsis

[@displayer6023]

Hey, as long as you get your emotional catharsis, who cares if you're stealing from innocent, normal people!

[@Daniel-rh7gw]

@@displayer6023 Unequal opportunities lead to unequal outcomes. Racists think black people are inherently unworthy of social aid, and and crime is an unfortunate outcome. Just like police brutality. The conditions must change to resolve both of those things.

[@justinbrown3197]

@@displayer6023 the people who are doing the looting have been stolen from systematically and their entire life

[@displayer6023]

@@justinbrown3197 That is a very good point. The government stole from them, so they have the right to steal back from, not the government, but random uninvolved people.

[@justinbrown3197]

@@displayer6023 I'm not talking deserve I'm not saying its right I'm saying it makes sense and the only way to stop it it to treat these people right

[@celery8059]

“Justice too long delayed is justice denied" -MLk

[@niaakima]

coming from Russia, i like this channel a lot as it provides much input for me. since the media is often one sided. Thank you for being honest and respectful.

[@empg4202]

Just wanted to say I see you and thank you for the content you put out -- it's very thoughtful and insightful. I really appreciate your level-headed outlook on things, though if you ever needed it to be not level headed, I'd be here for that too💛

[@khazermashkes2316]

Thank you for captioning your videos so that I can share them with my hard-of-hearing friends!

[@erin1427]

Have you ever thought about having a podcast? You’d make a great one. ❤️

[@T1J]

Maybe!

[@mh-jp1qj]

@@T1J I would listen

[@bobpants9644]

T1J they are more profitable than KZbin. You should consider it

[@newscootgoofin]

Your black jeopardy video was on my recommended videos today and after binging a few other of your videos I’m glad I stumbled upon this one. This video really put into perspective of rioting as one tool of many to use against what’s been happening to black people in America. Thanks for what you are doing and giving perspective on a world that seems foreign to many of us in this country.

[@reallifeistoflat]

Preach dude. Love from Canada. I hope change is possible for our neighbours down there even as we work on fixing what's wrong up north.

[@t.soares1125]

Thank you. From Canada. I'm glad I found your channel. Much needed.

[@rinskeverberg]

Sending love and support from The Netherlands. The hurt in your voice breaks my heart.

[@smp894]

I wish everyone in America would watch this. I've been struggling a lot with exactly the right words to find, but you don't miss a single beat. Perfect from start to finish. I'll be sending this to my friends when they discuss the protests, as I think they could all use the food for thought. Thank you.

[@Tom_Nicholas]

This was a beautiful response to such ugly circumstances. Solidarity from the UK.

[@dioniciolombera91]

I'm so grateful for allowing us into your thought process. Its cathartic.

[@ninjaphobos]

Thank you so much for putting so much effort into all you do with this channel. I have learned and (hopefully) grown a great deal from it.

[@RamblingSailors]

"We must help time...and the time is always ripe to do right." Thanks, Kevin.

[@sickasfrik]

Very well said. Thank you for putting your voice out there. I just hope they're listening. This deserves to be heard.

[@Siberius-]

That's a dang good quote. Great video, I say.

[@fatcat1414]

Thank you for the MLK quote at the end. I am a pacifist by nature, but I totally understand the reasoning behind the riots and believe that they are an inevitable result of constant mistreatment. Inequality is a weed and riots are its flowers. One must pull the weed out by its roots if they don't wish to see the flowers ever again.

[@dollemore]

I just found your channel. I love your stuff!

[@paddleduck5328]

You have a great channel, Jesse. 💛

[@melissaw3277]

Thank you for this video. It’s amazing how spot on the full MLK quote is to this situation. It’s something everyone needs to hear right now.

[@Mallory-Malkovich]

Rob from the rich, not from your neighbours. Looting a local grocery store is a crime. Looting a Walmart is recuperation.

[@alenbacco7613]

I like you. You're fun

[@richardsantanna5398]

Agreed

[@krombopulos_michael]

People in the area often still rely on that Walmart for their grocery shopping or for their jobs. The locals are still going to suffer a lot more from it being destroyed than the Walton Family will.

[@Farfromperfection]

How noble of you! Stealing is bad no matter who you steal from. Looting and destroying a Walmart only hurts the employees of that Walmart in the long run. So your comment boils down to don’t hurt these working class people. Hurt these other working class people. Not really well thought out was it?

[@alenbacco7613]

@@Farfromperfection are you going to tell me it's as bad to steel $1000 from a middle class family of five as it is to steel $5 from a billionaire?

[@kimberlee9608]

For your consideration: a commentary on Candace Owens. I’m a white girl from a small rural overwhelmingly white area and my public support for this movement and BLM has been met with multiple private (texts and dms) countering it with her most recent video. I’ve tried different tacks with them addressing her but seem to keep coming up short. Your measured and thoughtful responses on a number of topics have helped guide my understanding and this is another situation where your insight would be valued. That being said I know that’s a BIG ask (given her following) so no pressure... literally just me throwing it out there! Thanks for your ongoing voice on this platform!!

[@katehartley2333]

This feels like we're finally on the cusp of change. Thanks for your video, and stay safe

[@bennettfoley3018]

Thank you very much, sir, for sharing your thoughts. Loved your essay, as per usual

[@waterloowaterl2766]

I hear you and i will do everything to help. Also i love your channel. You are my favourite youtuber 💗

[@StrengthFoundation]

I have been a fan since 2015. You keep speaking the truth year after year. I love your easy tone - I hope ppl will hear the message that otherwise may not because you present it so well. History explains so much of what is going on today & I agree - Simply protesting is not enough. It is time for laws to be re written. Thanks for the video T1J.

[@ceelmcl]

Woah woah woah! Bham??? I'm from here too!!! Just found your channel tonight I like the content

[@skitzo23]

Great video. I am from Europe, and enjoy to hear about your view on all these topics! One question though: how likely do you think is an actual civil war or long-lasting riots in the US until the election right now? Media outlets do not seem concerned about that? But listening to your Pres. impersonator in chief threatening to use military force and "resolving the situation in NYC soon and swiftly" somehow made me concerned about that. I hope you can get rid of him and the unjust system without any more blood shed! Peace & BLM from Europe!

[@coppermoth6069]

Many justified rebellions have been successful, and many have failed, the uncertainty of what will happen is understandably frightening, I just hope there’s a brighter future ahead of everyone. ❤️

[@GrayCatbird1]

That quote of King is incredible. He could've said it today and it would be every single bit as relevant. It's surreal, and very sad at the same time.

[@jsbarretto]

Thanks for making videos like this.

[@SohanDsouza]

"The local sandwich shop is not your enemy" Speak for yourself. Our family has been in a blood feud with the local sandwich shop for generations.

[@j_iris]

Ik I'm pretty late to this but I'm glad I watched this and I agree with you completely. Hearing people say there's no problem at all with riots didn't sit right with me, especially when innocent people are being affected by it (small business owners, especially of black-owned businesses, standing outside their stores to try and keep the looters away just made me so sad). But everyone seemed to think if you didn't support riots you're a racist. At the same time, hearing people use the riots as an excuse to not listen to the problems bothered me too. I never knew what to think about both of these feelings, but after watching this and reading the full Letter From Birmingham I pretty much agree with you and King.

[@Fight4Liberation]

I feel like real change can happen through various ways but one of the most important, possibly the most important if we want peaceful change, would be through policy reform. I also feel like the powers that be in our "two" party system will always fail us. If we could work towards tearing down our 2 party system and If a workers party were created with trustworthy individuals I would love to add my hat to any office work needed. I don't know much about writing or policy creation but I have knowledge on preppiing legal documents and administrative duties. I would love to be a part of some actual change. Also, great video!

[@st.mars6]

Thank you for a very informative and well thought out video 🙏

[@heatherbonin2477]

This was an excellent video! Thought-provoking and educational. Loved it! 🙌👏☺

[@kyleflournoy7730]

I usually wouldn't be so presumptuous, but I feel like I can speak for almost everybody when I say that you should definitely stick to long form expression on KZbin. Your thoughts and ideas are too nuanced to be conveyed on Twitter without coming off half baked and or unthoughtful This is great, presented perfectly and incredibly well timed

[@phibie8853]

I have been feeling very overwhelmed by all the bad news of the past few months and had been trying to avoid it, but hearing your take on this is very nice. It's just insane to see police brutality because it just feels like the high rate which it's at (mostly against black folk) shouldn't even be real, but it is. The death of George Floyd proved that. I feel very detached from the situation given that I am not from America, but I really do hope that some change is brought upon the law enforcement, not only of America but of the whole world.

[@emiliepryor51]

Thank you for the video. It’s unfortunate just how often people QUOTE King without any of the real work.

[@GeorgeLocke]

Thank you for posting this. ♥️

[@brandijones461]

I always appreciate your thoughtful, nuanced take. All I have been thinking about lately is how this happens over and over again and as a black woman I am so tired. But this video has given me a glint of another perspective. Thanks T1J. Stay safe!

[@demige21]

This was exactly what I needed to hear. 🙏

[@unluckycloverfield4316]

thoughtful and thorough video as always

[@heartcomedy5]

Hello from Texas, USA. We see you.

[@Epsomgwtfbbq]

Across the pond from you there's a fist in the air. All the best for whatever is coming

[@cannibale101]

I cried. Thank you.

[@buggaby9]

Thank you.

[@FabbrizioPlays]

I live less than a mile from where George Floyd was killed, and while I'm definitely shocked and overwhelmed by the international attention that corner is getting and why, I'm significantly more upset that he was the straw that broke the camel's back. By comparison, why does it seem so difficult to open similar dialogue about Breonna Taylor, whose case is in many ways even more horrifying? When I visited the memorial at 38th and Chicago, I was happy to see that the long list of those we've lost to police violence were all named as thoroughly as would fit on the block. But the fact that we seem to need a single face to rally around, when there are so many victim, each story more fucked than the last, can be very disheartening. This isn't about George Floyd. It's about George Floyd AND Breonna Taylor AND Ahmaud Arbery AND Philando Castille AND Eric Garner AND Tamir Rice AND Trayvon Martin AND so, so, so many more. Too many to count without going insane.

[@Woahlookitthemoon]

Mlk also describes UBI in this speech. Ive read this speach several times the last year due to Andrew yang. Such profound words, thank you for the reading.

[@321womble]

A masterful video, measured and understanding of the human condition. I'm sorry that you personally have to carry the hurt and pain and bear the vitriol of those who would say that there is a right way to protest against generational injustice to preserve the status quo and self-comfort of the majority. Take care.

[@timlash]

Loved it! Awesome message. The day of justice for all is well past due.

[@radished2002]

Always appreciate your thoughts. Thank you!

[@danmarie6907]

Thank you for this video ❤

[@qarsiseer]

I think its very important in these times that when you see an article about protests / riots / lootings you must check the sources. More often than not unfortunately, news media reaches out for police voices on current events which massively skews the news perspective on the times. Read and listen carefully: do they quote the police or do they quote the protestors?

[@ThunderTurtle7]

Best take I've seen in months

[@alexanderjakubsen2198]

This is a very good video. I would only like to humbly add that Harriet Tubman was not opposed to violence for justice and she herself participated in civil war battles to free enslaved people. Much of her later work doesn't get taught or gets glossed over in schools. While her much taught work on the underground railroad was great and admirable there are whole other aspects of her life that don't get as much attention and should.

[@lebonron]

I usually not commenting, I prefer listening and thinking about what I've heard. But couldn't just leave this without saying, be strong and safe. And I totally agree. Let's hope for a change, from Israel I send love.

[@ZipperonDisney]

You're right in that it doesn't matter what MLK would think about our current situation, but the speech still has a power and providence to it that holds value

[@skepticalbutopen4620]

Rioting hurts the movement. We shouldn’t try to justify it.

[@carltonharvey]

Completely agree, after a summer of rioting the only thing accomplished is destroyed buildings/businesses, a rise in crime rates across the nation as police retire or leave service and a significant drop in the popularity of the BLM movement. When MLK and that generation protested they did it with a purpose and message that ultimately was effective and saw significant change from the 50's to 70's even though it cost King his life.

[@anonymousperson6228]

4:57 but that doesn’t justify it. Crimes committed in the name of peace are crimes nonetheless. If you just want to destroy, you will never create. Ultimately, the US was created through law and order, not war and destruction. Many events in the Revolutionary War are portrayed as righteous simply because we won. Take the Boston Massacre, for example. The soldiers were violently attacked, not with snowballs, but crude, potentially lethal weapons. We shouldn’t say that the Boston Massacre was a massacre. It was a provoked attack that made Britain look bad.

[@joesuka2114]

Empathy, I haven't seen it in a long time

[@catz537]

This is powerful. Thank you

[@theshortestcharles6886]

Thank you for talking about the possible failure of electoral politics in this situation; it's an oft-forgotten or lesser-known topic but could have a great deal of importance in the coming months (or years).

[@user-nk8uy4rz7h]

Hello from an American expat living in Australia! I always have said that both of the countries I am a citizen of are so horribly, normally racist that I didn’t think I’d see real change in my lifetime. On the 6th my city marched and I’ve never felt more unified and connected to the people here. I’m also reminded to stay actively educated, antiracist and hopeful rather than falling into that trap of “there’s nothing I can do.” Anyway I’m mainly just commenting for your algorithm but great video as always, looking forward to the next.

[@redcommander27]

I was skeptical of the title of this video, as a lot of people like to use King to one-sidedly justify riots without capturing the full nuance or context of the actual quote. But this was a pretty fair, objective, and even-handed analysis of the issue of rioting rather than a zero-sum condemnation or praise. Some points that I agree with are the difference between destroying government and private property many of which are locally owned small businesses, measuring political violence by civilians against state violence, that if you support rioting you should not hijack peeaceful protests, the fact that even if you support vandalism, you can't expect the police not to enforce the law, that rioting does not excuse excessive force by police or suppression of peaceful protest, and that the Abolitionist and Civil Rights movements and struggles were a lot more complicated than the whitewashed (no pun intended) one-dimensional version that focuses only on the most moderate and mainstream figures and tends to ignore or sideline the militants and radicals who like it or not, did play a significant role in the movement towards equality under the law (As well as downplaying some of the more subversive or controversial positions of even the mainstream figures like King, or the less favorable aspects of national heroes like Lincoln, who was a moderate gradual emancipationist and separatist rather than an immediate abolitionist or integrationist who only supported full equality for blacks and the immediate end of slavery towards the end of the Civil War and initially wanted to keep slavery legal in the South despite his personal opposition to it). I personally believe there are some extreme situations where rioting or violence could be justified against the government, such as if democratic means were impossible, but that you should also accept and expect the consequence (the Minutemen didn't complain about the British shooting back being unfair) and you should never harm random civilians or their property, which I also think they have the right to defend. I also think there is a huge difference between armed black self-defense like that advocated by Robert Franklin Williams or the original Black Panther Party, and people going out and initiating violence.

[@jenniferosgood8983]

Whoever put this together is my new hero, it was thoughtful and eloquent. This needs to be shared the world over. Ps. Run for president!!! I will vote for you...I love you ❤❤❤❤❤💞

[@SlowDaddie]

I was completely against the rioting but yeah after seeing this video, it kind of makes sense. Peacefully protesting just so you can be ignored can only take you so far. When I went to the grocery store the day after rioting started in other cities, the clerk (an elderly woman) made a bitter remark about how "those" people shouldn't be rioting. I agreed with her at the time, but now I think about it, the meaning of what she actually said was "black people shouldn't get mad when cops kill innocent black people." Looting though, is different and I agree with your video when you said "the sandwhich shop is not your enemy" that was 100% spot on. Hopefully, that's what that old lady actually meant. There are also a lot of people who show up to protests because all they really want to do is steal shit and cause a ruckus. They aren't there for George Lloyd's justice.

[@J.C.D.]

Thank you. ♥️♥️♥️

[@candirockstar135]

Thank you for sharing T1J, I love when you upload you are always so thoughtful. We shall overcome.