We are seeing a similar narrative being spun now. Some people have blamed those who riotously rebelled against anti-Black violence for Nixon’s election, despite the many factors working in Nixon’s favor, including Humphrey’s incompetence as a candidate. This phenomenon can be observed in arguments that particular riots derailed the Civil Rights Movement, despite innumerable efforts to derail civil rights organizing, and a disastrous presidential campaign waged by Hubert Humphrey against Richard Nixon. Robinson recently wrote in Current Affairs, to blame groups whose actions frustrate us for larger outcomes that disappoint us. But I, too, see some tired historical patterns at work. Some critics have pointed to the riots of the late ‘60s, claiming that the Civil Rights Movement was derailed by those who resorted to violent tactics in the streets.Īs someone who has been calling for years for people to lock arms against the threat of fascism, regardless of personal difference, I can appreciate some of the sentiments behind these assertions. As Black Lives Matter protests continue to play out around the country, images of protesters squaring off with police in Portland have inflamed debates about “peacefulness,” violence and respectability.
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Kelly Hayes : Welcome to Movement Memos, a Truthout podcast about things you should know, if you want to change the world. Note: This is a rush transcript and has been lightly edited for clarity.