The Whole Point of Protest

It’s been said that riots are the language of the unheard. I reluctantly attribute these words to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., not because he doesn’t deserve credit but because his observation has so often been misconstrued. He was not condoning much less promoting violence. He said it in this context:

“I’m absolutely convinced that a riot merely intensifies the fears of the white community while relieving the guilt. And I feel that we must always work with an effective, powerful weapon and method that brings about tangible results. But it is not enough for me to stand before you tonight and condemn riots. It would be morally irresponsible for me to do that without, at the same time, condemning the contingent, intolerable conditions that exist in our society. These conditions are the things that cause individuals to feel that they have no other alternative than to engage in violent rebellions to get attention. And I must say tonight that a riot is the language of the unheard. And what i…