This isn’t the first post we’ve done on NPR Saturday, as this one follows the interview with the author of “In Defense of Looting.” Along with learning that looting is good, we’re learning from public broadcasting that, as Portland grows close to 100 consecutive nights of protests, the city’s definition of a riot “could be rooted in racism.”
Calling a riot a riot could be rooted in racism, says reporter Jonathan Levinson for Oregon Public Broadcasting, the Portland NPR affiliate. pic.twitter.com/b2srvbEgM7
— Andy Ngô (@MrAndyNgo) August 27, 2020
We’ll admit to reading Jonathan Levinson’s piece three times and we’re still not sure where that headline came from. At first, we looked for the city’s definition of a riot, and Portland’s police chief has explained that a riot “is when six or more persons engage in tumultuous and violent conduct.”
But we’ve scrubbed Levinson’s piece and can’t find the roots of racism; here’s all we’ve found regarding race:
… But the laws governing those declarations are vague and have roots in Oregon’s deeply racist past.
Oregon began as a white-only state. While it banned slavery at its founding, the state adopted strict Black exclusionary laws which had been in place in the territory for decades. The law banned Black people from living in the state or owning property.
…
“A lot of the riot and crowd control philosophy and statute was developed around the ’60s and ’70s when protests around some of the very same things … rights for Black people. … were taking place in the state and particularly in Portland,” [State Rep. Janelle] Bynum said.
Either NPR was trying to fill its quota of “_____ is racist” headlines for the week or they’re just upset that riots are being declared when Black Lives Matter protests turn into riots, as they do just about every night. And when police declare a riot, that gives them the OK to deploy tear gas, which we’re sure is also upsetting to NPR.
One of the big problems has been media enablers normalizing violence, making it acceptable and creating space for more violence https://t.co/avk1pUr6Y2
— James Jay Carafano (@JJCarafano) August 28, 2020
Anyone of any color, creed or religion that is breaking & entering, stealing, setting fires to cars, stores, homes, shining powerful lasers in people’s eyes & homes, on bullhorns screaming demands—I’m calling them RIOTERS
— Stephanie??????????? (@real_Stephanie) August 27, 2020
You can't make this stuff up.
— BERT (@RunzWaves) August 28, 2020
I heard a preview for this segment on the radio today and had to just roll my eyes.
— Tiber Tea Party • dunk all the idols! (@TiberTeaParty) August 27, 2020
We have reached a remarkable point in history. Every single time I think "there's no way any press outlet can be more blatant and shameless", they outdo themselves. Truly impressive to behold.@WokeCapital get a load of this one
— Fletcher, Morris (@jpr41411) August 27, 2020
This is the MOST ridiculous thing I have ever heard!
— Southerngirl1 ☀️??????? (@gagal1) August 28, 2020
Levinson ?
— Klaus Von Recht (@KlausVonRecht) August 28, 2020
Levinson…every single time. ?
— Dayspring (@bodyslideby1) August 28, 2020
They continue to reach new heights of absurdity.. pic.twitter.com/v2LWlAFamh
— PainPainGoAway (@UsDays4) August 27, 2020
Well this was probably inevitable
— Mostly Peaceful™️ Raccoon Posse (@raccoonposse) August 28, 2020
Calling a riot a riot is anchored in the truth!
— Jerry Oakley (@JERRYO1029) August 28, 2020
Surprised they think this? No. Expected them to spin this? Absolutely.
— Zadd (@Zasperatu_Zadd) August 27, 2020
I can't find the facepalm emoji fast enough
— Gina Lutz (@Gina_Raney) August 27, 2020
They're pushing their luck with this tactic.
— NEOAethyr (@konigssohne) August 28, 2020
Here we go
— Will (@ChiIIy_WiIIy) August 27, 2020
"Well, so it's a riot, buuuuuuut……"
— Commoner (@Commoner__) August 27, 2020
Unbelievable
— Silvia ? (@silviastar2016) August 28, 2020
I’d say it’s more likely rooted in vandalism, arson, violence, and having to dodge dangerous projectiles.
— SKYNET Administrator (@aguich182) August 28, 2020
The systematic redefinition of everything inconvenient to their narrative as “racist” continues.
— Scott G (@scttfrnks) August 27, 2020
2 + 2 = racism
— marc blanc (@blancmarc20) August 28, 2020
When everything is racist, then nothing is racist
— Quint??? (@NycQuint) August 27, 2020
Defund NPR
— the extraordinary nip (Parler: @bulbasars) ?? (@venusaursus) August 27, 2020
Why are we funding NPR???
— Pierre Delecto’s twin brother (@pierredelecto91) August 28, 2020
Related:
Report: Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler thought having the cops stand down would help stop the rioting in his city https://t.co/6YP25XZmDH
— Twitchy Team (@TwitchyTeam) August 25, 2020
Join the conversation as a VIP Member