re: #193 Belafon

I would disagree that they are ineffective in scaring people. Part of the issue is of course, that the system protects the truly awful elements of our society, but only as long as those elements are perpetuating violence (physical, economic, legislative) against minorities. Shapiro and others *feel safe because the system protects them*. But you know who doesn’t feel safe in front of Antifa? Richard Spencer.

And you have it slightly wrong. I’m not arguing Malcom versus Martin. I’m arguing that Martin was only successful *because of* Malcom. And King knew it. I’m arguing that it is ludicrous to think nonviolence can defeat two ideologies (Nazis/Confederacy) who have only ever suffered serious setbacks as a direct result of violence, or the threat thereof. The counter protest in Boston didn’t work because it was nonviolent, it worked because they outnumbered the racists 4-1, and the racists knew they couldn’t gain pull their antics without suffering actual injury to themselves. So when our side condemns the tactics of wearing masks and minor property damage when the other side is literally killing us with impunity and paid vacation, or getting pardoned even after conviction, THAT MAKES RACISTS FEEL SAFER.