An interview with a protester by a television news station displayed the complex motivations of some of those protesting and rioting since the death of George Flynn.
The unnamed black woman identified herself as a Social Studies teacher and a mother before she justified the looting and arson of stores owned by large corporations, and then offered a justification for destroying small minority-owned stores as well.
“I mean, I’m a black mother and a Social Studies teacher and I’m raising a black son in America so I have no choice but to fight and walk. That’s all I can do,” she said to the reporter from NY1 News.
She was asked about whether the looting and rioting had overshadowed the message of the protests.
“I mean these white mobs came and rioted in Tulsa and did the same s**t, excuse my language, but I’m just sayin’ like, what’s the difference?” she said, referring to the historical incident in 1921 when a prosperous black community in Oklahoma was leveled by white residents.
“You gave, the government gave $1,200 to people to survive on in March, what you thought was gonna happen? You took summer youth away from the youth, what you thought was gonna happen?” she continued.
“They need jobs!” she added. “Feed our babies and we won’t have this problem!”
She went on to justify the looting and arson against stores owned by large corporations and also those neighborhood businesses owned by minorities.
“These are multi-billion dollar corporations that got insurance. So, no offense, but they’ll be alright,” she continued.
“What about some of the mom and pop stores on Fordham road that are owned by people of color?” asked the reporter.
“Hmmm, define owned by people of color, because the banks actually run those businesses,” she responded. “So they own, they could be a mom and pop store, but it’s probably someone else that is not of their color funding their business.”
Her sentiment has been mirrored by some on the left who have tried to erase the distinction between the peaceful protests, which many Americans support, and the rioting and looting condemned by many.
“They’re sick and tired of being sick and tired and this is what sick and tired looks like,” she said of the looters.
Here’s the video of the interview:
Protester on Looting: What Did You Expect?
www.youtube.com
The bank doesn’t run anyone’s business you toad stool. They may, and I say may, provide funding to materials but they have zero say in day to day operations of anyone’s business. That’s really, truly, an ignorant statement. My bank only holds the money, just like a personal account. They pay no bills, make no decisions, don’t hire, fire, discipline employees, calculate or write payroll checks, mortgage checks, or anything else. And, fyi, I did not have your children, don’t expect me to pay for your children. I pay for may own, period. It’s not my responsibility to pay for your irresponsibility, ever. As for your saying that colored people don’t actually own their business because “someone else that is not of their color is funding it” is one heck of a racist statement. It’s simply shocking that you’re saying POC are not smart enough or capable of funding their own business. How sick. You, obviously know absolutely nothing about how businesses work. The blood, sweat, and tears SBO’s put in to funding, opening, and running their business. The weeks and/or months they go without pay so their employees get paid. You ma’am are a classic ignoramus. I feel for those SBO’s, or whatever color, that have been hurt by these rioters. It’s how THEY put food on their table to feed their family. How dare you say they “have insurance, they’ll be fine”. It only shows your immense ignorance. Insurance may cover the building and contents, but most do not contain a rider for lost wages for either the owner or employees. Which means during the 6-9 months it takes to rebuild and restock their business, they have ZERO income. And you’re sitting here whining about how it’s MY responsibility to feed YOUR kids after 2 months? Who’s “responsibility” is it to feed THEIR kids, AND their employees kids along with rent or mortgages, etc for the 9 MONTHS they have no income????? I’m truly trying to keep my response family friendly, but your ignorance is so amazing it’s truly difficult to maintain my composure. Sit down and just be quiet. It’s one thing for people to think you’re a moron, it’s quite another to open our mouth and remove all doubt. No doubt here.
Not yet, but you are about to learn what “sick and tired” looks like.