A mere week ago we celebrated a man that was the face and leader of the Civil Rights Movement. Not only were his speeches powerful and moving, his mind brilliant, his philosophy sound, but he understood the importance of protesting without violence and harm to others. We’ve praised this ideology and held this ideology in high esteem, and we commemorate the man each year. Yet the same week that people were praising these ideas that brought about change, there were some that behaved exactly in a way in which MLK would have held much disdain.
Inauguration protests were described as “violent and destructive,” resulting in at least three D.C. police officers injured and over 90 protestors arrested (at the time I was writing this. New facts may have come to light now that this article is live.) I know; MLK spent much time in jail for standing up for what he believed in. But did he smash storefronts and car windows during his demonstrations? Did he encourage his fellow marchers to throw rocks at nearby police officers? Did he light trash cans on fire?
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It is every American’s right to be unhappy about the man that was just inaugurated president. It is every citizen’s right to voice his/her unhappiness. It is every citizen’s right to take action, to work to better the condition of this country. But is it every citizen’s right to target innocent store owners and attack the officers that took to the streets to protect other citizens on Monday? As Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. said, “The right to swing my fist ends where the other man’s nose begins."
MLK worked to change this country for the better, and he did not tear it apart in the process. He went down in history as an admired, ethical, peaceful world-changer that will still be honored many, many years from now. In America we as individuals have voices and power in numbers and are blessed with the freedom of speech and assembly. It is truly a terrible thing to abuse these rights.
Disagree with Trump’s policies, his views, his past words and actions all you want, but wishing for this man to fail is now the equivalent of wishing for our country to fail. We should always fight for what we believe in, but watch out for the other man’s nose as we punch.
