In fact, 75% of Americans thought MLK was too extreme in 1964, as you would know if you’d listened to the video Typo linked. Here’s a link to the transcript if, like me, you prefer reading.
Protestors are always unpopular, but not always ineffective. The general public’s dislike of MLK didn’t stop the Civil Rights Act or Brown vs. Board.
CMC was talking about the Vietnam War protests, which were also unpopular, and were completely successful in their goal of achieving unconditional US withdrawal from Vietnam.
More recently, the only Presidential campaign season of the last three to feature massive, unpopular left-wing demonstrations was the only one the Democrats won.
The linked transcript discusses a recent study showing that this was actually causative, that the demonstrations did in fact shift public opinion to the left. Nobody is claiming that this brief talk about a single study constitutes a “review of the literature”, but it was published in a reputable peer-reviewed journal, so it’s certainly worthy of discussion.
Thank you. Yes, I like to read and did not listen to her whole video. As for the 75 percent, she gives that figure, but it is unattributed. Anyway, there is no contradiction between median voters thinking that MLK was too extreme and saying that his speeches made claims that were popular. I have no problem with a squad Democrat addressing a protest tomorrow if they are talking about Trump’s least popular policy, tariffs.
Public opinion was changing in the early 60’s with regard to civil rights for Black people, and I’m open to peaceful moderate protest having helped. Note the MLK and associates spent a lot of time considering what sort of protests would and would not work, and would not have been comfortable with how .Rebecca Watson plays around with the idea of burning Teslas.
I’m also thinking that anti-semitism was also going down in the early 1960’s without so much protest. .
Regardless of whether it will achieve any immediate results, we have to stand up for our rights. It’s our obligation as Americans to speak out against the onset of Fascism. This moment in history demands it of us.
The rally I went to was promoting those in the Department of Education. About half appeared to local advocates associated with the school board. They held signs, waved at passersby with responding honks and a couple returning f-bombs. We could be somewhat effective for attendees at a rally.
It’s really hard to find coverage of this on TV. Mostly I’ve been browsing through the “Live News” channels on YouTube. Some of those crowds look pretty big. I hope there will be some fairly reliable statistics at the end of the day.
Headed out the door for the half hour walk to the San Luis Obispo courthouse. We’re a college town, so we may get a decent turnout. I’m never sure what to do at these things; I’m not a chanter or shouter. But it’s a nice day and I can use the exercise.
