This morning, I had initially planned to add an update to my previous post regarding Sunday’s tragedy in Kenosha, Wisconsin and the protests here in Madison that were a reaction to it…
I had planned to include notes about there were more agitators (the Wisconsin State Journal‘s term) causing damage in the overnight hours, this after spirited yet generally peaceful protests took place downtown…
I would have also mentioned how some downtown businesses sustained more damage, how those who had been marching aimed to stop those who were causing damage, and how according to that same State Journal article, an employee at a chain pizza place were painting both of them with the same ugly color. (Note to self: Keep ordering pizza from locally-owned places; their pies are made better anyway.)
And I would have mentioned about how things were worse in Kenosha, where overnight two people lost their lives at the hands of some idiot who may not have had a badge but did have a firearm. (An arrest has been made, thankfully.)
Instead, I want to highlight some positive images from the past 24 hours or so. I am reminded of how U.S. Congressman and civil rights icon John Lewis, who left this world just last month, held to a sentiment of the need to engage in “good trouble, necessary trouble” in the fight for what is right, fair, and just. That included adhering to what Congressman Lewis’s Wikipedia entry terms “the discipline and philosophy of nonviolence.”
Building on that famous term from Congressman Lewis, the past few days… well, months, really, three versions of the term “trouble” have formed in my mind:
- “Bad trouble,” which is done by those who believe the only way to make their voices heard is by taking bricks to windows.
- “Worst trouble,” which is what happened in Kenosha last night that led to two people needlessly losing their lives.
- And… “good trouble”:
As I had mentioned up top, the march around the State Capitol and Downtown Madison last night was reported to be a peaceful affair. There was a vigil, a march to the City-County building, an airing of valid grievances… and an aim to quell the violent acts by unruly souls who only want to sow distrust (like, say, a certain political party whose convention is going on this week).
Mind you, these were just Instagram posts from a single Tuesday night in Madison. It’s been 24 hours since then, and it’s a pretty safe bet that are more marches taking place tonight in Madison, Kenosha, and elsewhere. And they will be done, hopefully, without a stone or flash grenade thrown in anger.
Of course, it takes more than just marching. It takes making a stand for what’s right, as the players of the NBA (our home state Milwaukee Bucks especially) did in standing down from the basketball court for at least today and tonight. It means making your voices heard, even if it’s chanting in unison or writing a blog.
Regardless of whether you’re hitting the streets or hitting the keyboard, it means standing firm and not yielding to those who think this is just one minor, temporary problem. No, the problems (note the plural) of social justice have been going on for too long and cannot go further. They must be dealt with, in an unyielding manner, by good trouble.
No, “good trouble” doesn’t mean violently throwing a brick. And “good trouble” may not be as attractive to the media as those thrown bricks. But “good trouble” done by a great many will lead to great change. It’s got to… because those whose lives matter are watching, be they old…
Or young…
Allison M. 