Jonathan Wright

When Black people riot, the act itself is judged—as if it occurred in a vacuum. Instead of it being viewed as the result of centuries of oppression. When white people riot, it's all about the factors that precipitated it. Suddenly we need to have patience and understanding.

When the crack epidemic swept through Black communities, addiction was viewed as a moral failure. Those who were addicted were vilified and locked up. When white people got addicted, suddenly addiction became a disease. Suddenly there was empathy. It's the same thing with riots.