"Many Americans have expressed longing for things to go back to normal ..."

In Virginia, 70 angry, frustrated slaves rebelled, killing close to 60 white men, women and children before being routed by thousands of militiamen.  Many innocent slaves were slaughtered in retribution. The year: 1831.

Hundreds rioted in Buffalo NY and in Manhattan for four days, destroying and burning buildings. About 120 people died.  Many were Irish, angry that blacks might take their jobs.  Many others were angered at the new enlistment laws.  The year was 1863. 

In  1919, just months before the Presidential Election of 1920.  Violent race confrontations occurred in 23 cities (notably Chicago, and Washington DC .) Over 300 died.  It must have  been "normal"--race violence played no part of the Presidential campaign.  

1925: 40,000 KKK members march in DC.  

1970s: thousands protest Vietnam War. 

2003: anti-Iraq war demonstrations in 150 US cities, over 100,000 protest in NY City.

Normalcy, USA style