Social Media Reacts to the Protests in Portland
Image: Courtest benlat/Shutterstock
On Friday and Saturday, protests erupted in Portland and across the country over the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. With additional protests expected, Mayor Ted Wheeler had extended Saturday's 8 pm curfew into Sunday night.
Local politicians, artists, and leaders went to Twitter, advocating for historical context, more sensitive media coverage, or to condemn the violence altogether:
Portland city commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty:
This week, as many weeks, months, and years before it, have been especially hard for the Black community. We have seen, heard, or experienced so many acts of violence towards the Black community, and many days it feels unending. (Thread) pic.twitter.com/bIqNqZcp0x
— Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty (@JoAnnPDX) May 29, 2020
Nkenge Harmon Johnson, the CEO of the Urban League of Portland:
Dear #Pdx #media, use the context of the moment you're reporting on. Broken glass is not "really bad" compared to the injustice that people are crying out about tonight.
— Nkenge (@TrueNkenge) May 30, 2020
Talk about why Oregonians are outside of their homes during a #pandemic to declare that #BlackLivesMatters.
The Fab Lab host Crazy Aunt Lindsey:
Deeply this.
— Crazy Aunt Lindsey // Digital Daycare™ on YouTube (@AuntLindsey) May 30, 2020
And I must note: Seattle, Portland, Atlanta, LA... I am seeing almost exclusively white bodies.
WHITE people are tearing down the symbols of systems of oppression that have served them but sacrificed the justice PoC communities in PDX and beyond have been owed. BIG https://t.co/bR9P0nmtiZ
Hip-hop artist Mic Capes:
Aye man, quit burning shit up in our city. We not in Minnesota. Doing that shit here ain’t boutta bring back brotha George Floyd in Minneapolis.
— FACADE FREE CAPES (@MicCapesRaps) May 30, 2020
Anthony Ware, principal researcher at Founder Mental Wealth
My father taught me about being a Black man in the USA. He prepared me the best he could.
— anthony ware 🧠 (@theanthonyware) May 30, 2020
He had better experiences in other countries while serving in the Vietnam conflict than in the USA.
I’ve experienced more racism in the USA than any of the 5 countries I’ve visited.
...
Stephen Green, founder of Pitch Black
It breaks my heart that our society needs this book so badly right now. #racism @akidsbookabout https://t.co/frZYguYbSz
— Stephen Green (@PDXStephenG) May 31, 2020
