Your creative efforts were positive, no matter if they were stymied by the system. There are clear positives that emerge from educating and organizing. It's one more step in winning the war, even if it's losing the battle, if you will.

This is what separates an intelligent civilization from a merely power-based one, is when its progression is driven by reason that's informed by humanitarian sensitivities.

Kids burning cars is, on a smaller scale, the same basic impulse of outwardly directed rage at an 'other' that you see when a government goes on the warpath to avenge some slap in the face.

"I have been wronged! I think I shall: A- Burn some strangers car... it's justified because I'm angry! or B-Invade some foreign country... it's justified because we're angry!"