First, a generality alert: what follows is pretty impressionistic, and I’m not making a data-driven analysis. I’m open to whatever I might be missing.
I’ve only seen a rare accurate mention of the protesters’ ages outside Trump events. Reporting on San Jose is a case in point. Even then, on-the-scene reporters say only that the protesters are “younger,” or in one case, “mostly below 30.” Some mention that the organized groups disperse after the event, and the less organized “troublemakers” remain to cause trouble.
As I view the videos, I’m struck by the very substantial age differences between the organized groups of protestors (older and disciplined) and the younger (much younger) less well (or not at all)- organized individuals involved with shoving, swearing, egg-throwing, flag-burning and so forth. No doubt these “groups” are not as distinct as I characterize them, but I’d suggest it’s worthwhile to pay attention to some broad differences or trends. I sure haven’t seen much media effort to interview this younger cohort; though I suspect that gaining a meaningful understanding of their motives would be hard to do just by putting a microphone in their face in the midst of the tumult.
I see high school- and just above-aged youth milling about and then forming ad hoc clusters to swarm around and hassle Trump supporters. I see lots of examples where individuals are “playing to” their friends, joking, checking out one another for approval, etc. I see them joining a chase before or without seeing their victim. I see behavior reminiscent of a schoolyard fight that quickly draws an audience, generates fighting between different sides, generates an incredible adrenaline rush even among those who started as observers but get caught up in the action.
In brief, I see lots of younger people “acting their age.” Kids who have a deep, visceral, non-strategic, experience of unfairness, being personally disrespected, and powerfully affected by a culture that holds them to norms that the culture itself systematically violates.
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