Where did I say they were totally non-violent? No, I didn’t. I talked about claiming and keeping the moral high ground. Where do say non-violence is the only way? Protecting yourself against violence, even if it means using violence, can still be still maintaining the high ground. Being the first to strike seldom is. Going out of your way to use force against the police because it’s the only language they understand isn’t protecting yourself or keeping the moral high ground. It’s playing to their strengths. It’s stupid. MLK and Gandhi knew this.
Your right, there’s probably nothing a black man can do that won’t be used against him. So why give up the remaining weapon that can’t be taken away, but can be thrown away, of having the true moral high ground?
I certainly don’t think MLK was encouraging people to riot. He’s just stating the obvious that oppressed people are going to riot. Like saying smoking causes cancer isn’t encouraging cancer. It’s saying that there are consequences.
To paraphrase a fictional character, fight smarter, not harder.
