We are on the edge of violence

History is telling us where this goes

I chatted with Professor Robert Pape a couple of weeks ago about this moment we are in as nationwide protests heat up against the actions of the Trump Administration. What I thought was a get to know you discussion left me asking more questions and with even more worries about where we may go astray.

A recent study led by his Chicago Project on Security and Threats found that 24% of Americans felt that Trump should use force against protestors and another third of Americans would okay with him doing so.

As someone who lived in a country where political violence was the norm for over two and a half years I can tell you that few things keep me up at night as much as the prospect of it becoming widespread here. The country would not be the same in my lifetime or my children’s and it is not something we want to encourage or accelerate.

When we study the by the protest movements of the 1960’s that led to key legislation like the Civil Rights Act andVoting Rights Act, as well as the end of the Vietnam War, we also have to take in account the backlash to the violence at the end of the movement led to 8 years of Republican rule.

This is a lesson that our opponents know and explains their eagerness to see us make the mistake of violence.

John Filo's Pulitzer Prize–winning photograph of Mary Ann Vecchio kneeling over the dead body of Jeffrey Miller minutes after the unarmed student was fatally shot by an Ohio National Guardsman

Lessons for now

As the Trump Administration continues to attack our government, benefits, and rights a fast growing protest movement is springing up across the country with seemingly new groups appearing each week. Many are simply trying to make their voices heard but the momentum of the time must be addressed.

Professor Pape points out that we must have a peaceful goal and a purpose from the beginning to be successful. It’s not enough to simply stir anger without a resolution that answers the demands and a plan to reach it.

I sat down with Robert to discuss his research and draw key lessons for so many of us who are participating in these movements and demanding change from our leaders. There are many and there is more to learn.

He and his colleagues recently launched Stand United. It is an initiative from The University of Chicago’s Project on Security and Threats (CPOST), a non-partisan, non-profit research organization that has advised administrations from both political parties for decades. They have aligned with creative forces to execute media campaigns designed to help protect and strengthen democracy, while fostering a commitment to free speech and positive political action.

We should all check it out and think about what we want to accomplish and not fall into the trap that Trump and his supporters are setting to respond to violence and suppress our free speech. They are absolutely itching to unleash a form of martial law on the country and convert this nation into an authoritarian state.

We can’t hand them the match.

I hope you’ll watch this conversation and consider the danger we face as we move forward together.

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