I understand your position. I disagree with the framing. We remember the successful part of the movements that remained peaceful, because in the end it’s the peace we’re looking for. We downplay the fact that the peaceful resistance was only given a fair hearing because they were the reasonable alternative to branch of the movement that was far less restrained. Both factions were equally necessary to drive change. Both fail to produce productive outcomes without the other. Violence alone produces only more violence, that is true. But words without stakes have no weight.

All movements for justice are slandered by those in positions of power. They will play the victim regardless. I think the things done in the October 7th attack were horrific. And at the same time I recognize the response is even more monstrous. The public is far more willing to forgive an underdog when they lash out, regardless of how the media spins it. Americans wouldn’t be celebrating “St. Luigi”, who objectively murdered a man in cold blood if the media environment were the only factor. You can create rhetorical distance without condemning the rage that fueled the violence.