The Problem with Unrest
As we have been reading, watching and listening to folks far and wide grappling with how to understand and respond to racial injustice, I’m noticing the use of the term “unrest,” as in social unrest, racial unrest or civic unrest. To be clear, unrest is not the problem, the underlying cause is the problem. In this case, we are talking about racial injustice, dehumanization of black bodies, inequity and institutionalized violence.
From a restorative justice perspective, to focus on unrest is akin to telling the abused to hush and lower your voice because the volume of your screams at your abuser are the problem. It is lecturing the scared and running for not being in a single-file line as they flee a fire.
To focus on unrest, which includes both mass demonstrations, standing up in defiance of racist institutions and yes, even looting is problematic. For instance, the common condemnation of looting, when not married to a condemnation of injustice and income inequality, appears nothing more than putting private property as sacred. For instance, when was the last time that you saw the rich and wealthy go looting; well besides the looting of Africa for its resources and people, Indigenous America for its resources and land and Asia for its resources and technology. I’m not a fan of seeing broken glass doors and people running out with handfuls of merchandise, but this kind of “unrest” appears only possible when institutions betray their responsibility to value the lives of its citizens and protests, uprisings and riots happen.
Unrest, unease and frustration have their roots in unmet needs. A colleague, fellow Akoben Team member, Chella Drew, asserts that recognizing the unmet needs is what should be the focus of the conversation - recognizing, identifying those unmet needs, and working to find ways to meet them. She references the Human Needs Theory by John Burton, which identifies and defines 8 basic human needs. Deeply rooted conflict is characterized by the frustration of basic needs, specifically Security, Identity, and recognition of Identity.