The Overexplainer: Does Protesting Really Work?

In the wake of the powerful Colin Kaepernick-inspired #TakeTheKnee movement that kicked off over the weekend, some have been questioning the actual impact of protesting.

Despite the well-documented success of things like sit-ins, rallies, marches and other forms of peaceful protests, questions still remain in the minds of many about how people tirelessly lending their voices, bodies and/or time to take a stand can truly make a difference. A few examples in response to this question can be seen in everything from the Montgomery Bus Boycott of the 1960s that ultimately sparked the Civil Rights Movement and led to the end of segregation, to the present-day social media movements that have caused billion-dollar businesses to revamp their leadership or throw out their promotional strategies.

One of the most important things to remember about the value of protesting is that the return is not always immediate. Many protests of the past involved major sacrifices on the part of those who came before us so that we could have many of the rights we have today.

Simply put, our voices matter, our dollars count and there’s plenty of history to prove both. So the next time you hear somebody question whether or not protesting matters, feel free to enlighten them and take the lead on opening up a dialogue that encourages them to get involved.

Hear more on why protesting absolutely matters from our Senior News & Culture Editor Christina Coleman in the video above.