Protesting Fine, Looting Bad
To the Editor:
I do not argue with someone who wants to peacefully march because they want their voices heard. I do not argue with anyone who wants to change rules and guidelines through a public demonstration, but what I do not understand is looting.
It intrigued me to find the proper definition of what looting actually means. It is the activity of stealing from a store during a violent event. We, as Americans, have seen our fair share of looting in the past week. But what drives a person to loot?
John Pitts with the Huffington Post wrote in his article, “The Psychology of Looting”: “They loot because they feel powerless and want to feel powerful.” But isn’t it possibly that looters could just be angry at their situation? A protestor was interviewed this past week and he specifically stated that people are angry. They want change. They need change.
We, as American citizens, should be used to marches, rallies, protests and demonstrations. The First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States guarantees the right to peaceful assembly. The looting and violence does not change things but respect, dignified actions and sound communication speaks volumes.
I remember quite well several of the marches/protests that have happened over the last 50 years: 1) The March on Washington for Freedom and Jobs on August 28, 1963. Approximately 250,00 people participated in the civil rights march in Washington D.C. 2) An Anti-Vietnam Protest in Washington D.C. on November 15, 1969. Between 500,00 and 600,00 marched against the Vietnam War. 3) The Solitary March in Washington D.C. on September 19, 1981. The march was held in response to the President Ronald Reagan firing 12,000 air traffic controllers who were demanding higher wages and safer working conditions. And, there were many more. Marches, over the years, have all had one thing in common, voices wanted to be heard so change may occur.
One cannot help but notice that so many conversations, whether in person or on social media are discussing the recent events in our country. Our country/county/community has been through so much in the last several months. It will all definitely be written in the history books. We have seen over 100,000 people perish due to the coronavirus. We have seen looting and protests night after night. But there have been positive moments in all of this mayhem. People are coming together by lending a hand, people are surviving the coronavirus, people whether black or white are shaking hands and saying those three special words, “I love you.” Remember in the 1960s when the peace sign became famous? Maybe we should adopt that sign again and add a little heart to it because peace and love make the world go round.
Linda Lehmann
La Grange