Protesting injustice is NOT disrespectful, in fact, it is something that should be noted and applauded. Our nation was founded by those putting their lives on the line to protest the injustices of the monarchy who assumed they owned this geographical region “across the pond”, and ownership born of the desire to line their pockets. I am no history scholar (I ran from it in High School given the way it was presented, though I do have very clear memories of those who gave it an interesting spin and removed it from the textbooks), what I do remember clearly, is the repeated statements from one, Mr. Gabe Benisheck, about the NYTimes “All the News That’s Fit to Tint” [does that give you a flavor about his leaning?] though he never presented anything in an unbalanced fashion, something I respect to this very day more than 50 years later. He also said, making it clear that he did not come up with this:  “The only thing we learn from history is that we learn nothing from history” The fact  that what I saw as dull and droll and didn’t like was enhanced by his particular guidance over that one formative year in HS History class (that was what it was called then…the other expansive euphemisms came well after I was out of high school) and sticks with me to this day, speaks volumes. The exhortation to think for one’s self, during a very tumultuous time (The Vietnam era), while making it very clear how HE felt if you listened or read between the lines, is something I respect still and something I’ve tried to emulate.

My father, a member of the greatest generation, a WW2 Navy veteran, and I, spent many years with very significant differences due, in no small part, to both he and my mom, encouraging my education which led to being allowed to think for myself and not follow along blindly. So let’s get back to the idea of protest vs respect (no they are not mutually exclusive)

Protest and civil disobedience, emphasis on civil in all forms, is necessary, is to be respected and to be listened to. When any group rises up after they’ve had enough, eyes need to open, and changes, which usually by that point, are LONG overdue, need to take place. They also need to be sustainable changes that are not rolled back because the “monarchy” takes over in our cyclical political, economic and environmental universe.

Yes, it should be done peacefully, and the dangers more than likely occur when the reactions are not restrained (see Kent State). It is equally incumbent upon the protesters to show restraint. I don’t and never will, understand burning, looting, rock tossing etc, that is not civil disobedience. The fact that sometimes anger rages so high due to the lack of change is also something that needs to be taken into account. Additionally, and there is MUCH evidence to this and this goes far back as well, peaceful protest groups are sometimes compromised by agitators masquerading as protesters, who then do the looting, breaking, burning and yes, sometimes shooting, simply to inflame and undermine the protests and embolden those against the protestors (see current news footage of a white man hiding behind a gas mask (though it was clear enough to see through), with an umbrella, dressed in black, breaking windows in stores that likely was not part of his neighborhood, and when confronted by someone filming, turned and walked away.

That brings me to respect: This is something again that both sides need to take into account. It is disrespectful to engage in the activities detailed above, but it is equally disrespectful to inflame the situation by gaslighting, by making dumb statements (see: #45 using George Floyd’s name yesterday and saying how he would be smiling down…really??). It is disrespectful to hide behind a symbol, a SYMBOL, (see: the nominal leader who used bogus medical claims to avoid military service talking about “Old Glory”) when the issues have nothing to do with that symbol. It is a sign of respect when, regardless of the public pressure, or the motivation, you open your eyes and realize that very thing (see Drew Brees commenting that he now sees it was never about the flag, or Roger Goodel releasing the statement he did yesterday). It is disrespectful to lie and a sign of respect to use facts to tell the truth.

Respect and kindness are a few of the very few things under our individual control and guess what, change happens only when each individual takes responsibility to look for the common good and step away from “me and mine”.

When everyone wins, we all win…Let’s all be an agent of positive change and stop participating or promulgating division.