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In reply to the discussion: Protests temporarily close malls, shut down trains [View all]PosterChild
(1,307 posts)... and villanizing the protesters. My first post was pretty much a spontaneous expression of dismissal. I hope to have provided some bit of reasoning and explanation for my initial reaction. Discussing it with you has helped me to clarify my stance, but to be honest, it has not changed my mind. I think the reported protests were a net negative and that these particular protesters have a ways to go in their understanding of effective activism.
You are right, the slogan "Stop shopping and join the movement" can be taken to be an invitation of solidarity. It can also be, and in my opinion, actually would be taken as an antagonistic put-down by the shoppers who were experiencing the protest. That is a matter of perception and subjective interpretation in the context of the protest - it is not a matter of fact based on the literal dictionary meaning of the words. I think that is something that must be understood and accounted for in any activity that seeks to reach out to others and change their minds.
I think the example of the NAACP's march is a useful contrast. What do you think of it?