The Difference Between a Protest And a Riot
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

The Difference Between a Protest And a Riot

When the media misleads people on what a protest is.

8200
The Difference Between a Protest And a Riot
http://www.riaclu.org

This past week has been devasting for the families of Terence Crutcher and Keith Lamont Scott. Their lives were taken recently with no explanation or justification by police officers. So far this year, 173 African-Americans have died by police shootings. With the recent deaths of Crutcher and Scott, protest became riots in a matter of seconds in the streets of Charlotte last week. Recently the mayor of North Carolina had declared a state of emergency when several "protesters" were becoming aggressive and violent. While others claim being violent makes the message clearer for officials, this causes the situation to backfire and creates more violence. Some confuse the actual meaning of a protest and create riots; however, the media calls it a violent protest . While doing a protest doesn't 100% stop these incidents , it makes the message powerful and less violent than it needs to be.

According to the Oxford dictionary, A protest is 1) a strong complaint expressing disagreement, disapproval or opposition to something or 2) An organized public demonstration expressing strong objection to an official policy or course of action. If you Google the term violent protest you won't find any direct definition and the reason for that is because a protest isn't violent. A protest occurs in many ways such as a sit-in, march, rally, boycott, hunger strike and etc; none of those protests don't involve any violent act.

Violent acts occurring during a protest is a riot. The correct and proper definition of a riot according to the Oxford dictionary is a violent disturbance of the peace by a crowd. That's what happened last week in Charlotte when a group of rioters disturbed the protest and started destroying business property, looting business inventory, destruction in the city, arrest and caused a civilian death. The purpose of a protest isn't an act of violence or crime. Doing such actions provokes more violence and unfair deaths for others.

The media has to redefine the word protest. Not in the term how it's been going around in social media, tv and articles. People need to know the difference and how it can affect everyone. A "violent protest" doesn't help to justify the real problem of police officers not being prosecuted correctly and of them receiving a "free pass to jail" every time they kill an innocent person. Nevertheless, a correct non-violent protest won't be a solution to racism or injustice, however, it can create peace and hopefully a change of mind for others who think negatively of people of color. This odyssey article goes out to the families of Terence Crutcher and Keith Lamont Scott, may the find grief and peace in this difficult time.



Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

57909
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

37306
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

958991
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

192230
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments