In response to the killings of 5 police officers in Dallas, Black Lives Matter released this:

“Black activists have raised the call for an end to violence, not an escalation of it. (Thursday’s) attack was the result of the actions of a lone gunman. To assign the actions of one person to an entire movement is dangerous and irresponsible.”

My take on all of this - is this:

Often the first reaction by those who decry such horrendous disregard for the law, by those sworn to uphold it, is to take to the streets and protest. I find nothing wrong with this type of response nor do I have an issue when retaliation is lifted to the level of looting and riots.

Where I do have a problem is where most riots and looting most often take place; the very neighborhoods and communities where these protesters either reside or supposedly represent. Why destroy the very businesses and livelihoods of those who are of the same strife and struggle? If you are going to take your anger and need for change to the streets, do so within the communities and neighborhoods where the opposition represents and/or resides.

If they already fear you, at least now there’s a legitimate, undeniable and forthright reason to do so.