It's been almost 2 months and there's rioting in at least 3 cities tonight, this movement has outlasted the great upheaval of 1877 and only has 2 larger continuous antecedents in US history, the revolutionary period of 67-71 and the general strike of the enslaved + reconstruction

Having spent five years producing a history of rioting in the US I really really can't quite believe how truly monumental this uprising is, and I recognize that there is real historical possibility opening wider every day

Like for context 1877 upheaval was so severe it led to the creation of National Guard armories in every big city in America. In terms of sheer value of property destroyed 1877 (and LA 92 and Holy Week 68 and even Miami 81) may still be "larger" (it will take years to know)

but in terms of momentum and mvmt longevity we're in incredibly historic times. If we can keep pushing now, soon everything becomes possible...

It can be easy in the middle of something to be awed by the power of a moment (to be clear, a beautiful feeling) and so overestimate, but just as easy to get acclimated to a level of conflict and so underestimate. I'm often guilty of the former, but still...