I think there should be more protest dance parties.
Let me make it clear that my opinion has not been requested, nor is my opinion worth a fly on a cow pie. This is just what went through my mind as I was walking and trying to solve the world’s problems.
Protests are necessary and welcome right now. If you just dip your toe into any of the literature that has been recently suggested to you (may I recommend watching Netflix offerings such as I Am Not Your Negro or 13th or this pretty good overview of the Tulsa Massacre on YouTube, or reading anything by Ta-Nehisi Coates or if you want to keep it short, try this overview of the history of lynching by PBS here or just read or listen to the stories of any black man), you will understand that racism has been a part of American culture for 400 years and it continues to hurt, impoverish and endanger people of color.
But protests occasionally result in destruction. Of course, destruction of property (1) happens when people are happy about their team winning a big game, (2) happens when people are mad that their team failed to win a big game, (3) happens often when 50,000 of your closest friends get together for any purpose ever, but it often accompanies an otherwise peaceful protest. I try not to either condone or explain away property destruction as an outlet for rage and hormones by poor young people, but others have done a pretty good job of it, and for that I thank them. But it would be better if protests did not result in destruction. I’m sure better minds than mine have wrestled with this problem with better outcomes. Or maybe nobody has considered the power of (jazz hands) DANCE.
WHAT IF protests came with a playlist of relevant and rocking music? It would give the kids something to do with their hands and feet other than destruction and give the adults somewhere to direct their thoughts. I’m thinking all those rock and roll songs that got whitewashed and covered in the 50s and 60s, all of Kendrick Lamar, This Is America by Childish Gambino, I don’t know. Help me out. You could make a playlist several days long.
You could chant along with the song. You could boogie along with the song.
How could cops clobber somebody while Little Richard’s Tutti Frutti is playing? I suppose you would have to be careful about how much NWA you played. But how much damage has ever been done to someone or something while listening to (Sittin’ on) The Dock of the Bay? And wouldn’t it be amazing to see 20,000 people coming at you down the street while doing a little hustle to Nowhere to Run by Martha Reeves & The Vandellas? Look, I’m no sound technician but I’m sure somebody could figure out the physics of the speed- and quality-of-sound issue.
I’m just the idea guy.
Edit: while looking for helpful images, I came across this Pitchfork article that gives several examples of people using music at these protests, so my idea is not entirely new, but I still believe that municipal protest permit applications should include a music and amplifying equipment requirement.