While public support is vital, movements don't just happen. They require specific individuals who act as catalysts. The British abolitionist movement, for example, is inseparable from Thomas Clarkson, who was the first person to envision a national public campaign and dedicate his life to it, turning a latent issue into a powerful political force.

Protests, like those in Minneapolis, are effective when they generate enough moral outrage to force action from leaders. They have a time limit; their purpose is not sustained demonstration but to create a crisis that people in power must resolve through policy, as seen with LBJ and the Civil Rights Act after Selma.

A strategic reason for a leader to resign is to de-escalate public tension. After a crisis, the leader can become a symbol of that difficult period. By stepping down, they absorb the negative sentiment, lower the political temperature, and allow their organization to move forward.

Widespread suffering alone doesn't trigger a revolution. Historically, successful uprisings require a politically savvy, well-organized group with a clear agenda and influential leadership. Disparate and unorganized populations, no matter how desperate, tend to see their energy dissipate without causing systemic change.

Charlie Kirk's assassination resonated so strongly due to its rich symbolism—a political commentator shot in the throat while speaking. This symbolic narrative creates a more powerful and memorable public reaction than other political violence because it's emotionally potent.

Citing Gandhi and the Civil Rights Movement, the most successful long-term protest strategies rely on peaceful non-resistance. Active resistance, even when justified, often escalates violence and cedes the moral high ground, making it a less effective tool for systemic change compared to disciplined, peaceful protest.

Influential mothers of civil rights leaders like MLK Jr. were actively erased from historical accounts by scholars, despite their sons crediting them. This isn't an accidental omission but a strategic act to maintain a male-centric view of power and prevent new models of leadership from emerging.

Contrary to the belief that he was a natural, MLK received passing but unexceptional grades in his early public speaking and preaching courses. This demonstrates that powerful oratory is a skill developed through years of dedicated practice, not merely an innate talent.

Social movements build on one another. The campaign against slavery was not an isolated event; it directly inspired and provided the organizational template for the 19th-century women's rights movement. Similarly, the US Civil Rights movement created the model and momentum for the gay rights movement, showing how progress on one issue makes progress on others more likely.