Insurrectionist Ethics, Moral Suasion, and Violent Protests for Poor Policing

Abstract

Leonard Harris distinguished moral suasion from insurrectionist ethics, and argued that moral suasion possessed inadequate character virtues for ending slavery. For Harris insurrectionist ethics possessed a counter set of character virtues and actions following from them that were more prudent and dignity-affirming for ending slavery. This chapter extends Harris’ distinction and charge against moral suasion to protests in response to poor policing. Moral suasionist tactics such as peaceful protesting that deny violence are inadequate responses to poor policing. An appeal to insurrectionist ethics shows violent protesting to be a reasonable—that is morally justified and prudent—response. I argue for the reasonableness of violent protests in accordance with insurrectionist ethics in a few ways. First, I briefly distinguish moral suasion from insurrectionist ethics. Second, I show how Black people’s appeal to moral suasion is inadequate for changing poor policing practices. Third, I show that insurrectionist ethics avoids the preceding problems with moral suasion, and that—in accordance with insurrectionist ethics—violent protesting in response to poor policing is reasonable given the kind of environment to which poor policing contributes.