R.I.P George Floyd. Does Rioting really work?

The murder of George Perry Floyd caused international protesting and rioting that most Americans have never seen during the 20th century. It shook the globe when a forty-six-year old black man suffocated to death when a police officer put his knees on the black man’s neck while he was on the ground in handcuffs. The cop, Derek Chavin, kept his knees on Mr. Floyd’s neck for 7–8 minutes while he was gasping for air and begging for his life in his famous words: “I Can’t Breath!” I am not here to tell you the whole story, but to make a comparison. Will rioting stop police brutality in the future? Has rioting in the past helped to improve the rights of black people in America? Let’s go back to Martin Luther King’s protest in 1968. How was it different than this 2020 protest? For one thing, Martin Luther King was against rioting. His protests were organized and effective. As a leader, he understood, preached and modeled that showing respect and good character is the right way and the only way for people of color to represent themselves while protesting. One of Martin Luther King’s statement is “rioting and looting are inexcusable, and are emphatically not productive protest ( Wright K. 2020).” Had Rioters remembered Martin Luther King’s words and honored his leadership, so much costly damage to many innocent business owners livelihood could have been avoided. These business owners worked very hard for many years to save up in order to open a storefront just to see it get looted and destroyed. And the ironic thing is that some of these businesses belong to black people! Will these business owners ever recover from their loss? This protest is suppose to be about anti-racism. George Floyd’s death was the effect of racism and white supremacist cops who took his life and who have taken the lives of too many throughout history! Sadly, people of color, and immigrants who were contributing to the economy and who were supporting their communities during this COVID-19 pandemic have been badly hit a second time around. Let’s look at the data. According to Crockett, “ Black-owned business has fallen by more than 40%, compared to a 22% drop across all racial groups about 95% of black owned business most likely won’t receive an initial loan” (Crockett Z). Looking into the numbers that is a great deal of a drop it will be hard to recover especially after the riot. There are over 44 black owned businesses that have been effected which were individually owned. If you would like to know more about who these business owners are and would like to reach out to help them, go to their gofundme.com. One business owner that needs help is: Help Rebuild Wilbourn Sisters Designs. Wilbourn Sister’s information can be found in the hustle.com title 3 stories of black -owned business damaged in riots. June 6, 2020. In addition to helping the economy and their communities, these black business owners are teaching our children that there are other ways to make money and to be successful, besides playing sports, singing, rapping, dancing or trying to be the next big super star. And because of desperation and lack of opportunities, some will quickly dabble in drug dealing and other illegal activities without ever thinking of the possibility of owning a legal hustle by being a respectable business owner. So, having a storefront, and being a business owner is also good role modeling for children in the black communities. Unfortunately, Martin Luther King’s example of non-violence has been forgotten by this new generation. Self-gratification and the spirit of entitlement has taken the place of showing respect and good character. Yes, on a positive note, even without direction and leadership, the protesters were unified in all parts of the world for a common cause, anti-racism. However, Martin Luther King would have done it differently. He would have used a non-violent approach, he would of used an organized and effective approach, such as boycotting instead of rioting. An organized and disciplined boycott that targeted the right businesses brought results. This is an example that rioters should keep in mind. The good news is that there are still a few Martin Luther King followers. They have organized a boycott for July 4–7 that black communities and some allies will participate in.

References:

George Flyod and What Martin Luther King Jr. Really Said about Riots and “The language of the Unheard.” Saturday. June 6, 2020.

3 stories of black- owned business damaged in the riots. June 6, 2020.The Hustle.com