'Riots,' 'violence,' 'looting': Words matter when talking about race and unrest, experts say

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Is it a 'riot,' or a 'rebellion'? One suggests reckless violence. The other signifies political resistance to oppression.

Riots erupted in cities across the country this weekend following the death of George Floyd, and the destruction was widely condemned by the president, local elected officials and many members of the African American community.

On social media, users called the arson and looting"disgusting" and"reprehensible." After a trail of vandalism across downtown Louisville, Kentucky, where EMT Breonna Taylor was fatally shot by police earlier this month, Mayor Greg Fischer said the"violence and destruction is absolutely unacceptable." President Donald Trump called the protesters in Minneapolis “thugs.

But historians and sociologists say reflexively condemning the actions as reckless or self-defeating minimizes the extent of people's rage. Floyd's death has now become part of an all too familiar pattern of confrontations between police and African Americans who lose their lives over minor offenses. For all the denouncements, there are many who defend riots as the actions of those who have exhausted every other way to be heard."I'm 58 years old now.

The riots, experts say, are demands for justice among those who claim they've been unfairly targeted for years. They ignite when people feel as though they have nothing left to lose, when the usual channels for affecting change in a democracy – non-violent protest, voting – have been ineffective.

 

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Call it as I see it, POS, thugs, looters, pillagers, low lifespan taking advantage of a incident over a career criminal! Floyd did not deserve to die but there is one common factor in all these tragic deaths...non compliance and resisting arrest!!!😷🤬🇺🇸

When did USA Today start publishing satire. Hopefully rioters and looters do find it offensive. Looting and rioting is offensive to citizens of ALL races who obey the law, and seek change peacefully. Protest in peace without rioting and looting.

RUBBISH THEY ARE ROITING LOOTING THUGS CRIMINALS not caring ATCALL about the black lives black Bussiness they destroy. Dont care about black lives they kill. Jail everyone. Society has no place for such Animals. All part of Democratic KKK slave history

Call them what they are. Rioters, Looters, Rioters, Looters,......to infinity. Protestors are not murderers, assaulters, thieves, and do not destroy places of employment and personal property.

People are defining violence as 'attacks against property RATHER THAN against people'? Nobody, literally nobody, is saying that. They're saying that violence INCLUDES attacks against property as well as against people.

Rioting is the language of evil people who think using violence helps them when in reality it makes them look weak & extremely uneducated! BTW?! Stupid, ignorant people of all races & color riot & loot! IF SOME PEOPLE ARE OFFENDED BY THE TRUTH.......TOO BAD!

Well they are domestic terrorist, looters, anarchist, and all around scum. Can't wait until the feds go in, round them all up and ship them to super max.

They are “THUGS”!!!!! They’re wild animals!!!!!!

Keep rioting, thugs; the rest of us are looking forward to a target rich environment.

You call it what it is....RIOTING AMD ANARCHY. You're the problem.

So ONLY Obama is allowed to call them what they are! THUGS!!

Nazi China assist criminal Antifa destroying USA

The offended must be allowed to express themselves by looting and committing arson. Those arrested will be bailed out by the Biden campaign.

40 million out of work ? 80 year nyse high ? how do the fakenews media plan to dig themselves out of this hole ? it seems like only the month i took you off follow for employing that 'talented cnn woman' you ARE part of the big3 manipulating influencing satanists

1:50 - 'Riot is the language of the unheard' 2:40 - 'Riots are self-defeating and socially destructive.'

so wait, is the pandemic over? I guess I missed the memo.

And yet it is in the DNA of the majority (white) Americans - doctors will tell you that you cannot change genetics

Sorry, rioters lose my sympathy.

they want to ignore the problems like they always do and go back to the status quo. they spend months spreading bad faith and disregard for human life and then when they force us back out while it's still not safe, they murder us in the street. every pig is a traitor.

Yeah, and that is going to backfire big time. But go on, talk to us about how burning buildings in this economy is more important than caring about the lives and livelihoods of our communities. I'm listening.

And the deaths caused by rioters?

One man's riot is another's freedom fight.

Riots!

This is a revolution

Go man go!!

One man's terrorist is another's freedom fighter. The important thing is that we have Americans suffering. We need leadership that can offer something substantive to address it all. Without that we will continue to spiral.

No, riot is the language of criminals, anarchists and societies other human filth.

The manipulations in social networks with the aim of destabilizing the West on the one hand and investing money stolen from the Russian people in companies and real estate in the West are so contrary to each other that they speak about the inadequacy of the KGB!

If you look this is not a black thing or white thing humanity is angry because it’s a human thing

In these democratic states under COVID-19 they wanted to band any gatherings or protest but now it seems completely OK with their left-wing losers Rioting & destroying America.

Riot's too loud. Can't hear anything else. The tragedy of a man's brutal death at the hands of those who should have protected him, lost. The importance of equity& justice, no where in sight. All there is - the senseless destruction and meaningless violence of riot.

Классно

That’s weird I just need love

Riots and your the fake bastards who brought this to us.

It's about White Men in Police uniforms killing & trying to kill Black Men like me

Ah so this will be the new pivot to justify terrible behavior.

Well at least it’s not “protesting”. She called exactly what it is....riot

Funny USAtoday no longer fear mongering about the virus guess that shows how dangerous it really is

Riot

It is an excuse to steal and poop in your own nest.

Try revolution.

Everything will choke because everything is aimless. Democracy? She is not. Capitalism? This is banditry.

You really are going to all lengths to excuse the violence aren't you?

My guess is they won’t riot tonight. Work tomorrow..maybe

Rioting easy

'words matter' Yet the media still insists this is a 'protest' or 'demonstration'. So those words don't matter?

Riot

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