“confrontation alienates people”

No, it doesn’t. It alienates a specific group of people, while moderation alienates another group of people. 

Listen, if you wanna ‘unite the masses’ by targetting the lowest common denominator with some mediocre speeches, heart shaped signs and witty slogans, be my guest. I’m sure you can launch the next viral hashtag if you get enough celebrities and money on your side. 

But for every half-hearted middle class protestor that doesn’t show up if we language and methods are ‘confrontational’ there is a woke committed person who is starving for some real talk and action and who would be totally alienated if we had polite conversations with our oppressors or filled our protest with ‘protest peace keepers’ who talk to cops. 

And I know who is going to show up every time, even if it’s raining or there are no celebrities. I know who I want standing next to me when things get difficult. So I’d much rather alienate your mediocre hashtag protestors than the people who are committed to real systematic change.