I will preface this post by saying I am trying to take the Trump win in the Presidential race with grace; I must admit that I am having a hard time with the reality that many of my neighbors, family and friends voted for a mysoginist, hate-filled, race-baiting, big mouth who at best has a terrible view of women and bases his judgment on looks, and at worse is a straight up sex offender. I'm trying so hard not to be angry, not to make this a negative four years by my own attitude.
Some of our fellow citizens are also unhappy. This I understand, obviously. And many are waging quiet protests, gathering to share their unhappiness, gathering to lobby the Electoral College to revolution, speaking their concerns online and in other ways. These kinds of protest are entirely reasonable and they can be useful because they keep the focus on change and respect.
However, other protests that are happening, such as those in Chicago and Portland, are not accurately even described as protests. Any action that involves burning, destroying or violence is not a protected speech protest, it is a riot. Riots are criminal action, and frankly, they degrade all of us with legitimate protest concerns.
If you are one of those participating in a riot or even viewing riots as necessary - you are a part of the problem, and not the solution. By delegitimizing the long time argument of Democrats for peace and respect even in disagreement. Look back at Martin Luther King Jr and the Civil Rights Movement for examples of how this must be done. The current rioting makes it hard to distinguish between "us" and the Trump crowd!
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