Let me begin, on the record, to state that I do not condone looting, arson, or any such illegal acts.
Residents of Franklin Massachusetts held a public meeting on the village green to protest the murder of George Floyd.
There was no looting, no violent aftermath.
I asked myself why?
I am angry. I want to strike out. I want to see the symbols of oppression burning to the ground.
But wait. If I get caught venting this anger in such a matter, I could get arrested. That would cost me a lot as I have a lot to lose. I have a house, a car, lots of comforts, a job, and I could lose all that by venting my anger in such a way.
If shop windows were broken would I enter and steal? Again, no. I could get arrested and that would net a loss. I have a big screen TV, two in fact. I have a well stocked wine cellar. I have so much stuff I’d have to rent a storage unit to keep anything more. So no, I’m not interested in looting.
Maybe we should consider this when we see our fellow citizens striking out, burning things to the ground, looting……because after all, they are the product of a society and a rigged economy where they have nothing at all to lose. Instead of pouring resources into more security, more cops, more poison gas, flash grenades, bullets we should pour our resources into communities so that they have what Republicans like to call “skin in the game” and something to protect.
