The Cost of Protest: Why Black America Must Weigh the Risks in Times of Unrest

From a historical perspective, Black Americans have long been subjected to violence and systemic oppression at the hands of the state, especially in protest situations. Throughout history, Black people have faced disproportionate retaliation when challenging unjust systems.

The Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s, for instance, saw peaceful protests met with brutal force... water hoses, dogs, and police violence, all targeting Black demonstrators. Even in more recent protests, like those following the killing of Michael Brown in Ferguson or George Floyd's murder in 2020, Black Americans often experienced more intense repression and criminalization by law enforcement compared to their white counterparts.

While it's true that the military and National Guard might use less-lethal weapons like rubber bullets against some protesters, historically, Black protesters have been subjected to harsher measures. The reality is that Black Americans don’t have the same "luxury" or expectation of safety when protesting. In times of national upheaval, the state's violence against Black bodies has been an enduring reality. When Black Americans protest, they are often treated as a threat in a way that their white counterparts are not, a legacy of racial inequality that has yet to be fully addressed.

Therefore, the call to "stay home" isn’t about discouraging activism, but recognizing the heightened risks Black Americans face in these situations. The history of Black protest in America is one of great courage and sacrifice, but it’s also one of survival, and sometimes survival means knowing when the cost of participation in such movements may be too great—especially when the state is prepared to unleash force on Black bodies with little consequence.