Running head: EDITORIAL SELECTION: PUBLIC PROTESTS Editorial Selection: Public Protests Institution Affiliation: Critical Thinking Student’s Name: Bo Fang Date: Oct, 6, 2020 1 EDITORIAL SELECTION: PUBLIC PROTESTS 2 Editorial Selection: Public Protests Editorial Board. (2020, August 31). Editorial: When ’peaceful protests’ turn violent. The Chicago Tribune. Overview of the Editorial The inhumane killing of George Floyd resulted in numerous protests, beginning at Ashland Avenue from Union Park on June 5, 2020. The demonstrations initially called for the Chicago Police Department's defunding after an officer of the department was caught on camera killing the victim. Many Americans claim to have either seen protestor signs in their neighborhood yard, or maybe painted somewhere in block letters on their streets. Nonetheless, the Black Lives Matter debate has outraged the airwaves for the better three months since June 2020. Many questions linger the streets and on various social media platforms: including uncertainties on the people behind the trending topic, the connection between the incidents and related incidents in the past. Recent coverage of the various protests in the United States has sparked endless interests surrounding Black Lives Matter and general questions. However, the Chicago Tribune editorial has tried posting possible answers to most of the identified issues relating to the topic. It outlines the widespread debate on racial and social inequalities. Black Lives Matter The Editorial Board (2020) at The Chicago Tribune acknowledges that the Black Lives Matter slogan was sculptured in response to persistent police violence and racist activities against African-American citizens in the United States. The phrase has been continuously used to preach for equal treatment and recognition of all racial groups in the country as equal citizens and call to attention to racial segregation, racial violence, and social discrimination. However, people from the dominant white race in the country have thought that all lives have to be treated equally, rather than drawing attention to Black Americans' EDITORIAL SELECTION: PUBLIC PROTESTS 3 lives alone. According to the Chicago Tribune editorial, there is a need to engage in a candid, passionate, and anger-anchored discussion on a free and democratic country (Editorial Board, 2020). Further, the feature seems to draw its relevance on the First Amendment that establishes an unlimited space for all American citizens to assemble and express their dissatisfaction peacefully. Despite the looting experienced in various cities during the protests, marches and rallies are all protected and guaranteed by the First Amendment. Therefore, a portion of the public in the country believes that the Black Lives Matter slogan should not be used to diminish other racial groups for the benefit of the other. Black Lives Matter and Politics There is a thin and blurry line that separates political and social movements. The editorial recognizes the persistent protests and rallies as social movements because although the African-Americans are the primary race in the demonstrations, recent protests have seen other races' involvement. Further, the complaints have been entirely attended by people of a collective grievance, irrespective of their class or political alienations. Black Lives Matter protests have been publicly seen as a movement committed to seeking social change through different community-engineered attempts to support African-Americans and eradicate the adverse influence of racial segregation and police violence. According to the editorial, the socially-led network and its local and international proponents have established various programs and activities, for example, designing video and pictorial series on being an African-American (Editorial Board, 2020). Further, food drives have been conducted to support communities that struggle to acquire fresh food. In general, the movement is wellfounded, with effectively designed communication channels and social platforms onto which information concerning the campaign can be found (website available on https://blacklivesmatter.com/) EDITORIAL SELECTION: PUBLIC PROTESTS 4 Several international quarters have considered the Black Lives movement as a political outfit and attributed the protests to an "uprising" and an organized movement for the rights of the oppressed. The protests' persistence indicates that a recognizable chunk of America's population has shown a commitment to struggling together and creating a country free of racial discrimination and police violence. The movement is determined to achieve their objective of having a country where all people enjoy the economic, social, and political freedom to thrive. Information on the movement's website indicates that the Black Lives Matter is a global network that is decentralized and is committed to ending criminal injustices and abuse of black people (available on https://blacklivesmatter.com/). Various events referenced by the editorial on the Chicago Tribune indicate that there have persistent efforts long before the murder of George Floyd on the need to embrace all races in the United States (Editorial Board, 2020). Constant incidences in which Black Americans have been racially mistreated or killed continue to accelerate social justice attempts to call for racial equality in the country. Black Lives Matter Chicago Chapter Although the topic of racial discrimination is a delicate ball to juggle, the Black Lives Matter movement has organized itself into various community-led chapters that spread across the United States and parts of Canada. Legally founded chapters are recognized and supported by the umbrella movement and share a set of unique structures and principles (Editorial Board, 2020). For example, the Chicago Chapter of the campaign has instituted leaders tasked to undertake administrative roles and oversee grassroots groups. The smaller groups comprise organizers that perform volunteer roles to allow that movement to advocate for all members' rights. However, inadequate funds and failure to be recognized by federal and state authorities have seen the Chicago Chapter continuously face challenges in actualizing its objectives. In the editorial on the Chicago Tribute, the Editorial Board (2020) EDITORIAL SELECTION: PUBLIC PROTESTS 5 acknowledges that financial challenges and racial slurs continue to polarize the society where more and more people seeking stabilization find themselves engaging in disagreements and confrontations. However, the raging public debate has emphasized the rampant looting and mayhem witnessed during the recent Black Lives Matter riots in the United States. The unrests leave many wondering whether the agendas in some of these protests have to be anchored on unrest and destruction of public and private property. While most non-profit organizations receive funding through donors and member contributions, the Chicago Chapter is also largely funded member contributions. Contrarily, the public misconception is that the movement has a large operating budget or strong funding from international donors. While focusing on the Chicago Chapter of the Black Lives Matter movement, the chapter is concerned with abolishing policing, surveillance, prisons, and all things carceral. However, the widespread perception is that when the members and supporters of the dream move into the streets for protests, looting must be undertaken. There is a need for the public and authorities to acknowledge that public demonstrations are enshrined in the constitution and that most participants are usually focused on the very extensive to address injustices. For example, in Chicago, the Black Lives Matter is focused on calling for the Chicago Police Department to use a portion of its considerable funding to address more of the primary causes of discrimination and violence to create a state in which all races are treated equally. Way Forward The editorial acknowledges that the Black Lives Matter movement's protests and demands and related social activities are likely to continue increasing their presence on the street for protests. Additionally, social movements may begin pressing their demands within political and policy circles to have a more-organized approached to issues. Various AfricanAmerican political leaders have also shown efforts in highlighting the need to amend law EDITORIAL SELECTION: PUBLIC PROTESTS 6 enforcement and criminal justice policies. Despite the constant police versus civilian confrontations, street protesters' efforts have helped signal a new era of advocating for civil rights in the United States (Editorial Board, 2020). The public must acknowledge that the protests have successfully mobilized people and instilled them to believe for equality by turning the protests into a stable movement. However, translating public anger and unrest over police killings and the socio-economic ramifications of widespread imprisonment into new governmental policies still call for relentless citizens to call for racial and social equality by improving systems, policies, and strategies. EDITORIAL SELECTION: PUBLIC PROTESTS 7 References Editorial Board. (2020, August 31). Editorial: When ’peaceful protests’ turn violent. The Chicago Tribune. Retrieved from https://www.chicagotribune.com/opinion/editorials/ct-editorialprotests-riots-lightfoot-kenosha-20200831-gfn4wbcoj5ddpceqojrf5qjggi-story.html Editorial Selection: Public Protests –Outline Overview of the Editorial -The cause for the various unrests in the United States -Public interest in the editorial topic (Black Lives Matter) Discussion Black Lives Matter -Meaning and origin of the phrase -Counterattacks that seem to answer the call for black lives matter Black Lives Matter and Politics -Elements of a social movement in the campaign -Elements of political movement in the campaign -Channels through which the movement shares its information Black Lives Matter Chicago Chapter -Leadership positions and roles of smaller local groups -Sources of funds for the Chicago chapter of Black Lives Matter -Cases of unrests and looting in the recent protests Way Forward -Possible solutions that can be used to change the negative public perception concerning protests References 
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