Lewis’ half-finished sentence is my attempt to summarize various points of view on why so many rioters end up destroying parts of their own neighborhoods. It’s not just that desperate people lash out at the closest symbols of oppression, usually local merchants, but there are also odd social dynamics at play during a riot. For example, many people are very reluctant to vandalize a property. But, not if someone else has already caused damage. There are studies on this stuff.