let my building burn

Some immigrants and other local minorities in Minneapolis speak so eloquently about their business financial loss here during the riots after George Floyd's murder.

This is Hafsa, Ruhel’s daughter writing, as I am sitting next to my dad watching the news, I hear him say on the phone; “let my building burn, Justice needs to be served, put those officers in jail”. Gandhi Mahal May have felt the flames last night, but our firey drive to help protect and stand with our community will never die! Peace be with everyone. #JusticeforGeorgeFloyd #BLM
https://www.facebook.com/GandhiMahalRestaurant/posts/3030378453725259

Continuing with that same business owner...

"I am from Bangladesh, you know, we experienced police like this.  We lived in a police state."  In 2000, he moved to Minneapolis, where, by 2008, he would finally have enough money from working in the restaurant industry to open his own business.  "And you know, it just came to a point where this is the only way that a change could happen ... And it wasn't until this much had to happen for them to just get that officer in custody.  That tells you a lot about how our system works and how far we need to take it so black lives in America can get the justice they deserve... It's not just the death of George Floyd. People are being racially profiled every day. And I want people to be aware. I want the system to change. I want to see real change. Everyone's tired of seeing people being wrongfully treated and wrongfully killed. It's not OK."
https://www.today.com/food/let-my-building-burn-owner-damaged-minneapolis-restaurant-supports-protest-t182789

And another business owner...

“I’m not that angry,” she said. “I understand the situation [stinks] for a business owner, but you can just sense so much anger from this [African American] community. They did what they had to do.”
https://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/amid-destruction-minnesota-business-owners-keep-the-faith

And another...

"So I told our staff, “We’re not staying here, we’re not defending this or doing any of that cowboy shit. There is nothing in here worth a human life... Honestly, to look at it as a loss, you’re just gonna be pissed off about what you lost. I think you have to—forgive the cheesy comment—but you almost have to look at it as the opportunity to gain something... As much as I didn’t want anyone to start this [fire], as much as I didn’t want to divert the message from police brutality, you can’t keep telling people to react the same way, and keep accepting non-action."
https://www.goodbeerhunting.com/blog/2020/7/7/business-as-unusual-how-five-minneapolis-and-st-paul-bars-and-restaurants-responded-to-the-george-floyd-protests

And another...

This hurts, but watching him lose his life like that, it hurts more, it hurts more than losing my business,” Moore, who is African American, said from outside the destroyed property. “This is a sacrifice that I was willing to take — George Floyd, he’s gone, he’ll never be back again.”
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/minneapolis-businesswoman-stands-protesters-even-after-her-store-burned-down-n1226731

And another and another...

SAYDA MONIET: She said everything that has happened and every - even though I know that I'm not going to be able to come back this - from this economically, but what has happened to George's life is not - cannot be exchanged for all of this. I hope that he gets justice.
BEBE ABDULLAH: But the truth is things like this happen when people feel powerless. And something has to change.
https://www.npr.org/2020/05/31/866306964/minneapolis-family-hopes-for-justice-despite-losing-business-to-george-floyd-pro

I still see comments online (mostly Twitter, but also elsewhere) that demonize the wanton property destruction as a vile equivalent to the murder of a citizen by their own government on a public city street.  They are nowhere close to the same offense.  I hope that the next time I see that argument, then I have the sense to question the person with this argument:

"But some of the people affected have already spoken in forgiveness of this destruction as a painful step towards vitally necessary change. You wouldn't blame someone in pain for their spasm that breaks expensive items nearby, would you? You should have cared for the ailing person more attentively in the first place."
 

I've spent years writing on this blog, so you know where I stand on such matters.  There is no "both sides" argument to be made here.  One concern has obvious priority.  Choose wisely where you invest your outrage.