Kevin M. Kruse: "Professional agitator" is the term segregationists used to denounce Martin Luther King Jr. during the Birmingham campaign, and it was just as valid a criticism then as it is now.

"Professional agitator" is the term segregationists used to denounce Martin Luther King Jr. during the Birmingham campaign, and it was just as valid a criticism then as it is now.

from The Birmingham News, 1967

I feel like I've seen a version of that where someone from 1967 wrote some hateful shit in the margin around it and mailed it to Dr King.

Yep. Saw that on a Snopes-style page I just consulted to get the date right: www.truthorfiction.com/mlk-birmingh...

‘I Plan to Lead Another Non-Violent March Tomorrow’www.truthorfiction.com A famous 1967 cartoon about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. gained new attention in August 2020.

We tend to idealize the protest movements of the past, while criticizing the current ones if so much as one person fails to maintain pacifism in the face of armed police corralling them and threatening arrest. The numbers of people actually behaving violently are a tiny fraction of the protesters.

The violence comes from the police, and in the civil rights examples, the general segregationist public. But it is always blamed on the left protesters.

And sometimes it comes from individual protesters - the groups aren't a monolith and not every young person who feels strongly about a cause has the self control required to take the verbal abuse and threats without responding with violence. Which doesn't invalidate what they are saying.

h/t @peoplesfabric.bsky.social

Brown is in one of the most vulnerable seats. Can you not get down on the guy who introduces the SSI Restoration act?

“Is there no way to keep these [Communist sympathizers - outside agitators- undesirables - criminal elements] out…?” Seems like they were totally into the violence too: calendar.eji.org/racial-injus...

May 14th, 1961 | A History of Racial Injusticecalendar.eji.org On this day, a mob of 50 white men in Anniston, Alabama, attacked the Freedom Riders.

Let me guess, the one on the left is NY Times?

Please please please pay attention to who gets maligned this way, but also who *doesn't.* bsky.app/profile/amdi...

One thing we know for certain: they would not be beaten by police and forcibly removed, or threatened with any kind of disruption to getting their degree. Even "outside agitators" protesting abortion don't get punished for bothering students in any way. nyunews.com/news/2022/03...

Anti-abortion protesters pester students outside Bobstnyunews.com Content warning: This article contains graphic images and descriptions of sexual assault. Around 15 anti-abortion protesters wearing body cameras stood in front of Bobst Library with graphic images o...

It’s an epithet hurled by podcasters whose profession is hawking bogus nutritional supplements and crypto.

Deeply disappointed in my school careers advisor for not pointing out this entirely valid employment option.

"Career Activist" is a really long way to write "Legend" but okay.

MAGA guy at work pulled out the “Soros is sending outside agitators” bullshit right behind the “it’s antisemitism!” he trotted out last week.

When someone shows up, armed with a hammer, I wonder what they should be called? Prepared?

bsky.app/profile/kagr...

In case anyone had any doubts about who exactly was showing up as “counter protesters” at Ole Miss:

Oh definitely, I mean anyone who owns a *hammer* must, by definition, be a professional agitator

You can show up fully armed with a loaded AR-15 and extra ammunition at a protest and the cops will just let you walk around and say that you are doing nothing to break the law- if you are a white supremacist

For my local, just the threat of right wing protest shut the college down for the day in question…. And police were all around. Rightie didn’t even bring guns.

Bon Villa did psy ops

I have three hammers. I guess I'm also guilty of intent to distribute agitation.

Here’s photographic proof right here.

The A is for Agitator?

Black outfit and wearing a mask to conceal his identity. Antifa obvs.

You can literally buy a hammer across the street from Columbia's campus

Everyone knows amateur agitators show up with fly fishing poles and tweezers

i think that's the graduation gift from professional agitator school

What kind of certification is required to be a professional agitator? Like do they have to take an exam and then continuing education credits to keep their certification?

"submit one photo smashing glass correctly" safety glasses, highly visible hammer, think we have a winner here, excellent form for certification.

It’s not the certification that’s an issue; it’s the absolutely unreasonable continuing education requirements to maintain professional status.

bet it's unserialized

Hammers are highly regulated and the penalties for possession are steep, so only dead Enders have them.

Like Peter, Paul, and Mary.

In my freshman dorm room I had a hammer, screwdriver, and tape measure. Because sometimes you need to use tools! I mostly used them for attaching bookshelves to walls and assembling cheap furniture. Professional agitating was more of a side hustle. (Note: I did no agitating of any kind.)

I mean, I also had swords in my dorm room. And a cloak. I guess I was also a professional swashbuckler?

I've had a mallet in my trunk for at least 5 years. I packed it so that I could drive tent stakes and left it in my car when I unpacked the rest of my camping stuff. Does this make me a suspect?

I got to say, in general I'd prefer a large-scale protest organized by a professional agitator like Fithian over an unruly bunch of motivated amateurs with hammers, but that's just me.

🎯My point exactly!

I mean they might hammer in the morning and then also at other times of day

In specific locations or more generally?

could even be all over, even in unauthorized locations

Is that an “industrial hammer” like they sell at criminal supply store?

A curved claw hammer? What are they doing, hanging pictures on the wall? I'd call 'em "Guy DIY" or "Joe Homeowner"; real professionals will have rip claws, much better for demo work!

Google "Window breaker" to see what a professional would use.

Gaudy diamond ring club says hey 😂💃💍

Someone that owns a set of basic tools, maybe?

Oh they are going to remove the nails holding the trim for the broken pane in place so it can be replaced

That hammer should be used on you. 😊

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