In recent weeks, I’ve noticed what seems to be an increase in the vocal and sometimes violent disruption of school board meetings, political speeches, and other organized events.
These protests are sometimes well-organized by groups of activists. More often, they seem unplanned and unhinged: personal issues and unrelated frustrations boil over into the public square, doing little good for the instigators and even less good for those in attendance.
We can blame The Usual Suspects: the pandemic, social media, etc. with ease. What is more important for us to acknowledge and address is this: when disorder becomes routine, progress becomes difficult.
When free speech cannot be heard uninterrupted and debate carried out with some sense of civility, ideas cannot blossom. Policy cannot be formulated, much less legislated. Society suffers.
When we can only hate and attack our enemies–and define ‘enemy’ as anyone who disagrees with us–we have no chance to reconcile and find common ground after confrontations, debates, or elections.
The ‘established order’ of things can be said to only benefit those ‘on top’. Of course, this is true to a certain extent. Rich people like favorable tax laws. People who are discriminated against want change.
How we go about changing a society that is ruled by laws, fair to many, and admired by most is tricky business. We can vote, advocate for change, and protest injustice. We can also famously be the change we wish to see in the world.
However, when we act out and disrupt orderly public hearings, speeches, or events frequently and without legitimate purpose, we erode the public’s sensitivity to protest: to voice your opposition to a candidate, law, or event should be a well-considered decision, not taken lightly…or frequently.
It is often and justly an action of last resort to those whose voices have not been heard by their elected officials or public institutions. The issues to be addressed in such a forum should be substantial and warrant the disruption of normal life and established protocols. The George Floyd killing warranted such protests. Requirements for children to wear face masks in schools during a global pandemic, I venture to say, do not.
I’m not making a political statement here. I’m offering a word of caution. It’s easy to throw a temper tantrum and call it political protest. It’s much more challenging to do your homework on an issue, become informed, get involved, join forces with like-minded people, advocate for change with the local powers that be, inform the public, and stay the course.
Then, if all that falls on deaf ears, take to the streets and protest. And, when you do protest, you will be doing so with a sense of power in your position and your beliefs. You will know what you want and how you can get it. You will have the resolve to persist. You will, in the end, know when you have accomplished your goal or at least made tangible progress.
This approach, too, is a reflection of order. Yes, spontaneous public outcry will affect some change sometimes. Most of the time, however, emotional reactions to public policy or political events end in violence and end with little more than disorder, destruction, injury, and death.
Lasting change is the result of strategic, organized, and well-executed plans with concrete goals, envisioned and implemented by discipline, relentless citizens…yes, in an orderly manner.
So remember order. It’s not just for the establishment.
- BGT
Thank you for this, Byron.
As a career government/civil service worker, I also would like to add that some of the most difficult policies to implement are those that are created in response to the kind of “chaotic” outrage you describe here. They often depend on a very superficial understanding of the presenting problem and its solutions, and they tend to have unintended consequences – sometimes the exact opposite of what the protestors wanted to accomplish!
Agreed, Byron. How though to get this point across to those who romanticize burning it all down?
Extremely wise words, Byron.
Kind Regards,
H-U
So said most colonial legislatures 250 years ago. In the local meeting house, rancor similar in tone to that being described, inspired simple farmers and craftsmen to rise up, leave their families and confront the royal government. What seems to be an overreach on the day, can later be seen as justifiable action. Here in South Carolina, still honoring the 24 direct ancestors who answered the call and drove the British army back to their ships.
Agreed Les, although I do not agree with burning down of cities in “protest”. Funny how parents standing up for their children educational rights is considered stepping out of line, but burning cities isn’t.
Most of these out of control school room meetings are because parents in America are finally seeing the filth and lies our public school students are being exposed to.
I agree with Teresa. What George Floyd protesters did to Seattle, Portland and other cities during their riots was exactly the kind of unjustified disorder you are complaining about, yet you justify it. This causes you to lose credibility in my eyes. Furthermore, parents who spoke against the masking of their young children, who were at no risk for contracting COVID, was justified. To make matters worse, the FBI insinuating that those parents were “domestic terrorists” was absolutely shameful. I agree that there should be order, but you have contradicted your own thesis here, Mr. Tully.