So many people here are spreading legacy social media scare mongering about rioting in Europe.
At University of Maryland we rioted constantly. It's good fun, you should try it some time 🤣
The thrift stores in the region didn't have furniture well stocked for years because the first thing you'd bring into the streets to burn is the frat house couch.
We'd build up the bonfire in the middle of the intersection then run in circles around it screaming and laughing. The entire evening centered around feeding those fires with a constant stream of furniture and brush from the surrounding area.
One time I helicoptered the shirt I was wearing into the fire with many other young hussies. My roommate at the time was furious because it had been her shirt 🤣
There's a type of group hypnosis that happens in those situations. Looking back I wince at being such an asshole. But also I've not experienced that euphoria of the chaotic crowd in the light of the flames anywhere else.
The police would come, because of course they must. We would throw back the cannisters. We felt invincible. It was our time to feel in control.
Since then the campus culture changed. The administration adopted a zero tolerance policy for rioting. I think it's for the best, looking back I realize how problematic that behavior is. But I'm glad I had a chance to experience it, it's an incredibly unique life experience.
At my citizens class this week the firemen mentioned the juvenile firestarter program and one woman was extremely confused. She couldn't understand that some light fires for fun. She couldn't understand that it could become a compulsion. She just couldn't understand.
And that was very funny to me because I could 😈
