Navigating Controversy: Talking about the Rittenhouse Trial and Unrest in the Nation
On August 25, 2020, three men in Kenosha, Wis. — Joseph Rosenbaum, Anthony Huber, and Gaige Grosskreutz, — were shot by Kyle Rittenhouse. Rosenbaum and Huber were killed, and Grosskreutz was seriously injured. More than a year later — on November 19, 2021 — Rittenhouse was acquitted of all charges brought against him.
Rittenhouse — then 17-years-old — traveled from Antioch, Ill. to Kenosha to “protect private property and help as a medic” at a protest speaking out against the police shooting of Jacob Blake. Blake, a Black man, was shot seven times by a white police officer, leaving him paralyzed from the waist down. This sparked racial unrest, leading to protests across the United States (these are part of the larger 2020–2021 racial unrest and Black Lives Matter movements that have taken place throughout the country). After the Kenosha protest became violent, Grosskreutz, Rosenbaum, and Huber were shot by Rittenhouse with an assault-style rifle.
Claiming that he acted in self-defense, Rittenhouse was charged and found not guilty of two counts of homicide, one count of attempted homicide, two counts of reckless endangerment, one count of unlawful possession of a firearm, and one count of curfew violation.
Rittenhouse’s acquittal adds a great deal of tension to a nation divided on issues concerning gun rights, racial justice, and vigilantism. While some agree with Rittenhouse’s claim of self-defense, others argue that a biased judge and racist legal system guaranteed Rittenhouse’s innocence. Those in favor of the verdict cite videos showing the three men aggressively advancing on Rittenhouse before being shot; opposers of the verdict dispute Rittenhouse’s claims as well as highlight media bias and systemic racism.
Regardless of what you believe, it’s necessary to have conversations about unrest and controversy like the Rittenhouse trial. Whether you’re speaking to friends, family, or peers, sitting down and having thoughtful discussions challenges you to look inward at your values and commitment to justice. Here are some things about the Kenosha unrest shooting and the Rittenhouse trial to think about if you don't know where to start:
What led to the protest in Kenosha?
Considering the racial unrest surrounding the protest, how do you think people felt when seeing Rittenhouse — a white man — carrying an assault-style rifle?
When should self-defense be implemented?
Was Rittenhouse within his rights to use his firearm?
What are the present systems in power, and how does Rittenhouse benefit/not benefit from them?
How can bias play a role inn controversial trials like Rittenhouse’s?
Who is affected most by the verdict and why?
These questions can help you get the ball rolling when navigating the Rittenhouse trial (and other instances of unrest, controversy, and division in our communities). We encourage you to do your research, talk about diverse views, and consider the history behind the current legal systems in the United States. Lastly, we urge you to think about how your involvement in discussions like these advocates for justice for all.