In Defense of Looting: A Riotous History of Uncivil Action

“The future is ours to take. We just need to loot it.” That’s one hell of a provocative statement, and it’s found in the book’s introduction. But it fits. This is a book about provocation, how certain provocative acts are viewed positively while others (rioting and looting) are condemned.

In Defense of Looting incisively explores the history of revolution, breaking down the myths that not only reinforce white supremacy, but also whitewash civil rights struggles and revolutionary acts, removing valuable tools from the arsenals of those who need them most.

I knew this book would challenge my beliefs and presuppositions, but I had no idea how effectively it would do so. I could name any number of examples, but I’ll limit myself to one that left me dumbstruck: many books about slavery don’t teach us anything new and instead are simply profiting from Black deaths by focusing on the more prurient details.

In Defense of Looting is not merely playing devil’s advocate or being provocative for the sake of being provocative, it is full-force challenging everyone to take a hard look at a hard subject, to stare slavery and injustice square in the eyes and not blink. I blinked. You probably will too. But keep looking. Here’s a good place to start.