The Power of Protesting

Sherry Holliman

‘Community Commentary’ T here are times when protesting is a must! Yet the government wants you to believe that protesting is dangerous, meaningless, and an inconvenience to society that needs to be extinguished forcefully. Peaceful protesting can be very powerful and make a difference. Protesting shows faces, and lets voices around the world be heard, and represent an issue. Protests play an important part in the civil, political, economic, social, and cultural life of all societies.

Historically, protests have often inspired positive social change and the advancement of human rights, and they continue to help define and protect civic space in all parts of the world. They allow individuals and groups to express grievances, to share views and opinions, to expose flaws in governance and to publicly demand that the authorities and other powerful entities solve problems and are held accountable for their actions. Especially for those who are poorly represented or profiled and threatened with responses from some members of the police and society.

Every leader in the nation should demand that the unnecessary killings end immediately! Our nation should be concentrating on ways of adjusting back into their daily normal lives. This nation is constantly struggling with racial tension in this country. Either black on Black killings or White and Black killings we are seeing this crisis reach its boiling point right now. The current situation in America is not just about the senseless murders of the vulnerable dying in the public eyes under the authority of a powerful leaders. This is about holding people accountable for abusing their authority.

Black Americans are most often targeted by Black and White members of law enforcement, the implicit and explicit racial biases that permeate society allows inequities in the judicial, healthcare, education systems, housing, and wealth gaps. This is seriously about the lack of hope that is felt throughout the Black communities. In the words of civil rights leader Fannie Lou Hamer, “I am sick and tired of being sick and tired” that is the feeling of many Americans in our nation. Now is the time to contact your local government official to address uncomfortable conversations to make a difference in your community.

Let them know you and other residents are expecting answers, and support regarding being treated like a human. When large numbers of people take to the streets to protest, politicians and other key decision-makers notice. There is no guarantee that they will act, but they notice. Protesting is different from supporting an issue from your home. It allows individuals the opportunity to pick up a sign and support an issue in public, and to stand together with others to represent a movement. Protesting makes the movement more serious and real to participants.

Protesting also provides extensive visibility for the protestors. Senseless killings have increased each year for blacks of all ages, and it affects more than just black communities it affects all communities. History has proven that peaceful protests will create a political, and social change. While the government system and media bombard the public with stories of bloodshed battles, and uncontrolled crowds the true spotlight should be on those standing together today asking for equality for all. Americans need to recognize that the freedom, equality, and liberty, values we uphold still remain out of reach for many people in America.

“We are here, not because we are law-breakers; we are here in our efforts to become law-makers.” – Emmeline Pankhurst