Ana Kasparian's misconceptions about violence and the Civil Rights movement. (2024)

Ana Kasparian's recent tweet attempts to distill the essence of two transformative periods in American social politics - the Civil Rights movement and the trans rights movement - into a simplistic comparison. Yet, her words overlook the multifaceted nature of the Civil Rights era, overemphasizing the significance of civil disobedience and ignoring the omnipresent threat of violence toward the oppressed which drove major social change. In the tapestry of social movements, defiance and violence have been intertwined with civil disobedience, challenging the systemic injustices that pervade our society. These actions have emerged from both the oppressed and the oppressors, highlighting the complex dynamics at play. Civil disobedience and non-violence have often been the prevailing and preferred methods of successful resistance. On the subject of civil unrest, the late Dr. Martin Luther King spoke swiftly to condemn those who turned to violence, but also recognized the complex nature of social justice, calling upon every American to understand violence as a symptom of righteous anger and injustice:

“I think America must see that riots do not develop out of thin air. Certain conditions continue to exist in our society which must be condemned as vigorously as we condemn riots. But in the final analysis, a riot is the language of the unheard. And what is it that America has failed to hear?”

It is important to recognize that in certain circ*mstances, more aggressive acts of defiance and even violence have arisen as a response to the weight of injustice. Trans liberation, much like the Civil Rights movement, demands a nuanced analysis which simultaneously acknowledges that while violence should be neither a primary nor preferred path of resistance, it is an inevitable byproduct of social repression; it must always be appropriately contextualized to properly contend with its effects.

Ana seems to be under the impression that the Civil Rights movement was fought and won solely through the ballot box, following inspiring displays of nonviolent resistance and impressive rhetorical appeals to voters’ humanity. While it is true that non-violent persuasion was more prominent, her narrative conveniently omits the glaring reality of brutality that also played a role. The assassination of Dr. King, the face of the movement's struggle, stands testament to the grave dangers faced by activists who dared to confront the status quo. King’s ideas and calls to action, while sensible to us today, only appear so with the benefit of hindsight. In his time, they were considered radical by his allies and enemies alike. However, it was his unyielding commitment to racial equality that set him apart as an outspoken agitator in the eyes of many.

Beyond the idealized historical notions of non-violence, where many imagine activists merely drummed up support through peaceful protest, lobbying, and inroads with allies found within the majority power group, there were countless instances of fierce backlash and clashes with authority that punctuated the landscape of the Civil Rights movement. The busing protests, marred by heated confrontations and violence between segregationists and African American students, exemplify the tumultuous path towards equality. Similarly, the Greensboro lunchroom sit-ins, where activists knowingly defied discriminatory laws, were frequently met with violent responses from white supremacists. These episodes underscore the raw, unfiltered reality of a movement fighting against the shackles of racial apartheid. To downplay these contentious aspects of the Civil Rights movement is to revise the reality of oppositional violence from right-wing groups, such as the bombing of a Baptist church in Birmingham, Alabama in 1963.

This oversight of the historical precedent is not only inaccurate, but it fails to confront the dark realities of state sanctioned racial segregation and oppressive conditions that African Americans endured post Reconstruction. The consequences of engaging in activism were far from unthinkable unless one wished to tempt a bullet.

The unreckoned legacy of chattel slavery in tandem with Jim Crow laws served as the combustible backdrop against which non-violent resistance struggled to be heard. The open hands of peaceful protests were met with the clenched fists of brutal repression, not only from the American populace but the government itself. In the face of such rampant injustice, prominent figureheads and grassroots activists of the Civil Rights movement (namely Malcolm x and the Black Panther Party) began questioning the efficacy of non-violence alone. He and other likeminded activists recognized that direct action and, at times, brazen acts of self-defense became necessary to shatter the chains of discrimination. Ms. Kasparian, an avid gun-control advocate, would benefit from learning that the NRA pivoted hard on gun control and open carry laws in 1967 only after 30 Black Panthers began protesting at the California state house while open carrying a variety of pistols and shotguns. This led to the swift passing of the Mulford Act, banning open carry without a permit.

Ana’s assertion that the strategies of the moderns trans activists meaningfully differ from those of Civil Rights era activists oversimplifies the complex dynamics at play in both periods. Advancements in technology and media have undeniably reshaped the landscape of American social activism, whose influence cannot be viewed in isolation. Sensationalist media hyperbolizes news stories that should otherwise be a footnote to events at large. Ana’s warled perception of the trans rights movement as primarily violent likely stems from the same social media-fueled psychosis that mislead many Americans to assume most of the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests spawned violence and property destruction, despite being overwhelmingly peaceful.

During the Civil Rights era, traditional media outlets often perpetuated and amplified racist narratives, further marginalizing the struggles of African Americans and downplaying systemic injustices. In such a hostile environment, activists were inevitably led, if not forced, to consider alternative strategies beyond civil disobedience—namely direct action and unflinching counter protests—to challenge the status quo and expose the seething underbelly of injustice. Contemporary liberatory social movements, including trans activism, have recognized the need for multi-faceted approaches if one aims to meaningful dismantle oppressive systems and amplifying marginalized voices to achieve social equality. By neglecting the historical context and downplaying the seemingly unavoidable violence throughout the Civil Rights era, whose legacy echoes throughout the trans rights movement, we oversimplify the complexities of social change.

However, Ana’s concerns about violent rhetoric and action are not without merit. A small, but loud, online faction does exist, advocating for the acceptance of unnecessary violence as an intrinsic part of effecting change. This perspective, which seeks to justify harmful actions under the veil of an alleged inevitability of violence, demands our scrutiny. While it is certain that significant shifts in societal paradigms can give rise to tensions and unrest, it is imperative to continuously assess the validity of violence, even in response to that of those who oppose social change. We must draw a clear distinction between inexorable violence driven by self-defense and conflict and unprovoked violence that undermines the very principles it purports to advance. And while also true that LGBTQ+ Americans currently face hundreds of targeted legislative efforts that seek to directly undermine protected civic liberties, neither social structures nor institutions have succumbed to irreparable disarray that demands violent methods be leaned into to achieve our goals.

In this present context, Ana Kasparian's suggestion that the Civil Rights movement prevailed absent any violence is akin to her detractors' mischaracterization of the role violence played in the successes of the Civil Rights Movement. Only cynical revision and selective allusions to the aforementioned words of Dr. King, entirely divorced from their context, could begin to even attempt to undermine the strength of nonviolent resistance that has successfully prevailed. Political acts of aggression should be admonished in our pursuit of equality. To condone unnecessary violence as means for “justified” ends is to tarnish the integrity of the social causes we champion. The self-evident consequences of political violence aside, unmitigated civil unrest repels many who may have otherwise been sympathetic, and has the potential to sabotage the goals of trans activists entirely. As it stands today, true progress will not come from unwarranted forceful aggression that inflicts harm upon others, but in the strength of unity, empathy, and an unwavering commitment to dismantling oppressive systems while fostering compassion for all. This far, the overwhelming majority of trans rights progress has been facilitated through constructive dialogue and a collective dedication to dismantling systemic injustice on the part of LGBTQ+ activists. There is no meaningful ground to be captured or incentive to encourage or hand wave reckless violence that inevitably plagues every social cause.

It is imperative to recognize that major social transformations demand a multifaceted approach. The historical circ*mstances of racial oppression and discriminatory violence created an urgent need for direct action, and in turn caused activists to push the boundaries of what was deemed socially acceptable in their pursuit of equality. With the benefit of hindsight, it’s difficult to look back on this time and not perceive violence as an understandable (and perhaps inevitable) facet of a momentous social movement.

Ana has been a stalwart in the progressive news and media, and has dedicated her platform to challenging the entrenched politics of the Washington establishment. However, her recent commentary marks a departure from her usual incisive analysis. Outspoken candor aside, a hallmark of Kasparian’s reporting is bringing light to overlooked stories, but in this rare instance her words have fallen short of her usual depth and resonance.

When comparing past civil rights causes and those we fight for now, let us venture beyond simplistic narratives and hard truths of major social change. To do so is to mute those who gave much for the future of their kind and this country. By acknowledging the voices of those who challenged the status quo through acts of defiance and civil disobedience, we can honor the complexities of their struggles and gain a deeper appreciation for the power of collective action in shaping a more just and equitable society. The trans rights movement is currently, nor should it ever, be a movement whose defining characteristic is violence, even as the American Right and GOP at large stoke tensions solely for division and political gain. If trans rights activism is to be met with mainstream acceptance and success, progressive Americans must contend with the reality that less savory outcomes will be ever present in the fight for liberty.

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Ana Kasparian's misconceptions about violence and the Civil Rights movement. (2024)

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Kasparian has described herself as an atheist who pushes for progressive values.

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TYT Sports – a sports commentary program that debuted in 2011; originally hosted by Cenk Uygur, Jayar Jackson and Ben Mankiewicz, Rick Strom took over as co-host in 2013 and was replaced in 2014 by Jason Rubin and Francis Maxwell.

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Uygur was born in Istanbul, Turkey, to a wealthy Turkish Muslim family. He emigrated with his family to the United States when he was eight years old. He spent the remainder of his upbringing in East Brunswick, New Jersey, and graduated from East Brunswick High School.

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