On Monday, protests in Baltimore erupted following the funeral of Freddie Gray, the 25-year-old black man killed after sustaining spinal injuries while in police custody. Media coverage primarily focused on burning buildings and looting, as opposed to the nonviolent demonstrations that had taken place over the weekend. Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan declared a state of emergency, calling in the National Guard. Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake blamed the acts of violence on “thugs who in a very senseless way are trying to tear down what so many have fought for.”
In terms of celebrity-sanctioned transmissions, Carson Daly took to Twitter to express his outrage. “Really sucks to see these lawless looters ruin the great city of @Baltimore. This isn’t protest, this is a violent attack on your OWN city,” the Voice host wrote. The tweet was immediately deleted.
Even the cast of HBO’s The Wire, quickly denounced the violence.
Amid the harsh criticism of the not-so-peaceful demonstrations, however, Jesse Williams, the actor most famous for his role as Dr. Jackson Avery on ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy, penned a remarkably insightful short essay on Twitter about the double standard presented by the media when covering black protests and white riots when a favorite team loses … or wins.
Read Williams’ comments in their entirety below:
If you don't actually care about Black people having equal protection under the law, why are you making suggestions to those who do?
— jesse Williams. (@iJesseWilliams) April 28, 2015
What are the critical elements that constitute a "riot" and when do riots offend you?
— jesse Williams. (@iJesseWilliams) April 28, 2015
If we view rioting as a mass temper tantrum expressed through violence & property damage, white sports fans do that monthly. #Tradition
— jesse Williams. (@iJesseWilliams) April 28, 2015
1 group can burn & loot when a team scores less points than another but when paid public servants kill citizens, we gotta be BaggerVance?
— jesse Williams. (@iJesseWilliams) April 28, 2015
Where are all the think pieces & coverage of the pathology of white culture every time white frustration vents violence & destruction?
— jesse Williams. (@iJesseWilliams) April 28, 2015
There is nothing "black" about rioting. How do you think we got all this land?
— jesse Williams. (@iJesseWilliams) April 28, 2015
Historically riots have been tools for intimidation; destroying populations, taking land & valuables. #BlowingOffSteam #BoysWillBeBoys
— jesse Williams. (@iJesseWilliams) April 28, 2015
Whites rioted throughout the early 1900s, slaughtering, burning & looting entire thriving black townships, just because of the adjective.
— jesse Williams. (@iJesseWilliams) April 28, 2015
You've watched hulking bullies w/ badges, robes & money brutalize, kill & cage human beings every yr of your entire lives & said nothing.
— jesse Williams. (@iJesseWilliams) April 28, 2015
So Exactly What Kind Of Violence Don't You Like?
— jesse Williams. (@iJesseWilliams) April 28, 2015
Police & policies have been rioting on our bodies; destroying people & property every single day of your lives. But here you come…
— jesse Williams. (@iJesseWilliams) April 28, 2015
…When the beaten, marinated in centuries of trauma, pain & distress, manage to muster a response, here you come, squealing; revealing.
— jesse Williams. (@iJesseWilliams) April 28, 2015
You seem to really hate when people do "things that aren't helping" like contextualizing issues based on empirical evidence. #UghTheWorst!
— jesse Williams. (@iJesseWilliams) April 28, 2015
Things that "aren't helping" happen every single day though, which means you've had a million opportunities to research & contribute. #But
— jesse Williams. (@iJesseWilliams) April 28, 2015
You have so much to say, yet we've never seen you out here you before. Who shows up after the event & criticizes the audience's reaction?
— jesse Williams. (@iJesseWilliams) April 28, 2015
So tell me again, what kind of violence it is that you detest? I keep forgetting.
— jesse Williams. (@iJesseWilliams) April 28, 2015
ToWhom? FromWhom? HowOften? For how long? InOrderToWhat?
The reaction to oppression has always been spun & marketed as validation for the status quo.
— jesse Williams. (@iJesseWilliams) April 28, 2015
Notice how the party slogan, no matter the font or cleche, always boils down to #NeverChange.
— jesse Williams. (@iJesseWilliams) April 28, 2015
You want us to condemn black folks being violent against PROPERTY but you NEVER condemn police killing actual PEOPLE. #Explain #JustTry
— jesse Williams. (@iJesseWilliams) April 28, 2015