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On Violence in Movements
Protests often come in a number of different forms. Some are peaceful, some are violent. Some are with the entirety of society, while others are with a small group. Some have capabilities to cause real damage, while others do not.
It is often said that protests are essential within society to defend against tyranny and oppression. At the same time, however, people also simultaneously say that any sort of violence that is born out of a protest is inherently misguided. This is often the very moralistic approach taken out of the belief that making peace with an establishment is the ultimate sign of maturity.
However, this is an outlook that is in of itself, very much misguided.
Where and when has the fight against oppression, class divides, imperialism, and more been peaceful? Throughout the end of traditional colonialism, many anti-imperialist movements grew as a result of the rise of political consciousness within the populations in various regions. These regions included the fight against military dictatorships in Central and Latin America, as well as the struggle against colonialism in Africa, and more. In turn, many civil wars and bloody conflicts sprung up and people as a whole suffered.
