...Luther King Jr. can teach us about nonviolence” National Catholic Reporter.( 2012): Ncronline. Web. Nov 2015. In John Dears “What Martin Luther King Jr. can teach us about nonviolence” article he claims “[…] nonviolent resistance [is…] a strategy of hope, which can help us today in the thousands of [social change] movements around the world, including the […] ongoing Arab Spring movements.” Dears gives six points of nonviolence that Doctor King wrote about in, Stride Toward Freedom (published by Harper and Row) Opening Dear states, “Nonviolence is not for the cowardly, the weak, the passive, the apathetic or the fearful.” Dear is insisting that participating in nonviolent acts is not for the spineless but for the brave and courageous. Furthermore, the point of the practice is to change the ideas of another peacefully not aggressively or forcefully. Additionally, Dr. King states, "Nonviolence does not seek to […] humiliate [your] opponent but to win friendship and understanding." What Dr. King really means is that nonviolence is a way to show a different perspective without demeaning another human. In addition to the other principles, boycotts and peaceful protest are not the end solution but the launch of the solution. Another goal of nonviolence is to destroy evil, not people. King wanted to change the systems that were put in place because you cannot go after the people that made those systems violently and expect a hopeful outcome. Nonviolence includes a willingness to accept...
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...“The spirit of democracy is not a mechanical thing to be adjusted by abolition of forms. It requires change of heart.” Mahatma Gandhi The real name of Mahatma Gandhi is Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. He also knew as Father of the Nation, Bapu (Father) and Gandhiji. The word Mahatma (often employed in ordinary journalistic usage without any definite article, as if it were Mohandas Gandhi’s first name) is actually the Sanskrit word for “Great Soul.” Mohandas Gandhi is considered the father of the Indian independence movement. Gandhi spent 20 years in South Africa working to fight discrimination. It was there that he created his concept of satyagraha (fast, civil disobedience), a non-violent way of protesting against injustices. satyagraha would resist the injustice by refusing to follow an unjust law. In doing so, he would not be angry, would put up freely with physical assaults to his person and the confiscation of his property, and would not use foul language to smear his opponent. A practitioner of satyagraha also would never take advantage of an opponent's problems. The goal was not for there to be a winner and loser of the battle, but rather, that all would eventually see and understand the "truth" and agree to rescind the unjust law. “My religion is based on truth and non-violence. Truth is my God. Non-violence is the means of realising Him.” Mahatma Gandhi. While in India, Gandhi's obvious virtue, simplistic lifestyle, and minimal dress endeared him to the people. He spent...
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...positive changes it brought to voting and civil rights continue to be felt throughout the United States and much of the world. Although the struggle for black equality was fought on throughout the United States. Lawmakers, law enforcement officers, public officials, and private citizens particularly from the south worked together to maintain the segregated way of life that had dominated the southern states since the end of the Civil War in 1865. Furthermore the people from the south ensured the preservation of segregation by the constant use of threat and violence against people who sought to end it. In contrast, the leaders of the Civil Rights Movement chose the tactic of nonviolence as a tool to dismantle the institutionalized racial segregation, discrimination, and inequality in the south. The movement was guided based on Martin Luther King Jr.’s principles of nonviolence and passive resistance. The success of the American Civil Rights Movement and the fight for racial equality in the United States is a testament to the determination of millions of African Americans who fought against discrimination in the 1960s. Instead of using the alternative strategy of using an armed uprising such as one of Malcom X, Martin Luther King Jr. championed and thrived on the strategy of protesting for equal rights without using violence. King's non-violent approach was inspired and derived from the teachings of Indian leader Mahatma Gandhi, a Hindu religious leader, nationalist, and social reformer...
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...Throughout the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the idea that Justice is a Journey prevails as a recurring theme. In both his speeches and the documentary, King demonstrates his desire for a more peaceful world where the use of violence is simply unnecessary. Although many doubted that his stance of nonviolence would be successful, the outcome of his approach was very effective. He states, “I’ve been to the mountaintop and we will get to the promised land,” which shows that this ideal world is a possibility but getting there will be a journey. Through the use of nonviolence and civil disobedience, Dr. King serves as a significant model for a strong social justice character. In each of the marches and planned protests organized by King,...
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...Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King, and Nelson Mandela Non-violence is a concept that people participate in social and political change without violence. It is a form of social and political change between passive acceptances and armed struggle. Non-violence way to participate in the social and political change is including nonviolent civil disobedience against, acts of civil disobedience or other powerful influence uncooperative antagonistic form; it is similar with pacifism, but it is not pacifism. Since the mid-20th century, nonviolence and civil disobedience become the main form of social change, and it also is respected political and social philosophy. As the practice of social and political change, non-violent has the essence difference with pacifism, it is contrary to the wishes of the oppressed, and it struggle with any injustice and power political. In my final paper, I will instruction three famous Non-violence movement leader: Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King, and Nelson Mandela; and also I will compare the similar and difference between them. Mahatma Gandhi was the preeminent leader of Indian nationalism in Britishruled India. Employing non-violent civil disobedience, Gandhi led India to independence and inspired movements for non-violence, civil rights and freedom across the world. A very important turning point in Gandhi’s life is he arrived in South Africa to work as a legal representative for the Muslim Indian traders based in the city of Pretoria...
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...Martin Luther King Jr. once said “Nonviolence means avoiding not only external physical violence but also internal violence of spirit. You not only refuse to shoot a man, but you refuse to hate him.” (Web) Nonviolence resistance is an act of non-violent disobedience towards any authority or institution. Usually, nonviolence resistance is part of a well-organized protest created by a leader in the interest of a mass group or population. An example would be Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, who was an intelligent political campaigner who fought for Indian independence from British rule and for the rights of the Indian Poor. Although changes through history were forced through violent protests and revolution, nonviolent protests seem to be more effective...
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...|CONSTRUCTING NONVIOLENT ALTERNATIVES TO COLLECTIVE VIOLENCE: A SCIENTIFIC STRATEGY | |Mark A Mattaini. Behavior and Social Issues. Chicago:Fall 2003. Vol. 12, Iss. 2, p. 148-163 (16 pp.) | | | Collective violence (including terrorism, gang violence, civil war, separatist ethnic and religious conflicts, and government sponsored wars) is a central concern of the 21st century. This analysis suggests a scientific strategy for reducing such violence by constructing functionally equivalent and highly effective nonviolent collective alternatives. This general approach is the heart of most effective programs of behavior change, but has not yet been used to address terrorism and other forms of collective violence. The paper briefly traces the history of effective nonviolent action, including both strategies to confront and reduce oppression as well as strategies for defending persons, peoples, and social institutions against attack. It then turns to a examination of cultural practices on which successful nonviolent actions have relied, emphasizing a scientific analysis of the behavioral dynamics involved. Both practices directed toward opposition groups and practices that maintain the commitment and action of group members are investigated. The paper concludes with an outline of...
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...Training for Nonviolent Action Training ourselves on tactical and strategic nonviolent action is essential to maximize possibilities and results. What does this kind of training entail? Practitioners included: Srdja Popovic and Giorgi Meladze from CANVAS Sam La Rocca, Jason MacLeod, James Whelan, Holly Hammond, and Anthony Kelly from The Change Agency Zsuzsanna Kacsó, Bianca Cseke and Corina Simon from PATRIR Daniel Hunter, Joe Catania, and Philippe Duhamel from Training for Change Linda Sartor from Nonviolent Peaceforce Dola Nicholas Oluoch from Chemchemi Ya Ukweli-Active Ouyporn Khuankaew from International Women's Partnership for Peace and Justice Shaazka Beyerle from The International Center on Nonviolent Conflict Hardy Merriman, an independent consultant in the field of strategic nonviolent conflict Learn more about the experienced nonviolent action trainers who shared their ideas and resources during the dialogue. Summary of Dialogue Moving Nonviolent Action Theory to Practice Enormous and exciting developments have taken place over recent decades to make this strategic theory available and accessible to people around the world, notably through education and mainstream acceptance of the theory. Core concepts of successful nonviolent action are support, careful planning and strong leadership. It is essential to have a vision and strategic plan and to develop the tactics and campaigns necessary to achieve it. Most often, movements tend to happen...
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...respect for human dignity, justice, and love Peace Education’s Schema of Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes/Values * Knowledge, skills, attitudes and values are integral to peace education. Knowledge concept areas: 1. Hollistic concept of peace- peace is not just the absence of direct/ physical violence but also the presence of conditions of well-being, cooperation and just relationships in the human and ecological spheres. 2. Conflict and violence- study the problems of violence in various levels. 3. Peceful alternatives a. Disarmament- abolishing war and reducing global armed forces. Re-allocating resources toward the fulfillment of basic human needs. b. Nonviolence- study philosophical and spiritual underpinnings of nonviolence s well as it’s efficacy s a method of effect change. c. Conflict Resolution, Transformation and Prevention- study effective ways of resolving conflicts nonviolently and how these can be applied into their lives. Explore ways to prevent conflict. d. Human rights- have an integral understanding of human rights and to reject all forms of repression and discrimination. e. Human Solidarity- Look at how to increase inter- religious, intercultural and inter-group trust, empathy, respect and cooperation as well as discourage stereotyping and prejudice. f. Development based on Justice- be made critically aware of the realities and tragic consequences of structural violence and how a philosophy of development based on justice...
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...ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy." From where King stood during the Civil Rights Movement show that he was a great man who preached nonviolence and made the ultimate sacrifice for it. By being persistent in his nonviolence discipline, he was able to show the world the violence of their opponents' repression for what it really was. Gene Sharp's book, Power and Struggle Part One examines the nature and control of political power. Sharp believes that social sources of political power include socially recognized authority, human cooperation and obedience, and the skills and knowledge of the population. All these sources rely on the support, cooperation, and obedience of the population. Therefore by withdrawing support, the population holds an effective means of resistance to political power. Nonviolent action works to control political power by affecting the sources of that political power. Sharp mentions that the three major categories of nonviolent action are: protest, noncooperation, and nonviolent intervention. These actions work to change the opponents' behavior either by conversion, accommodation, or coercion. Conversion involves a change of heart in the opponent to the point where the goals of the protestors are now their own. With accommodation, the opponent resolves to agree to a compromise with the protestors without having changed their mind about the issues involved...
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...Common Nonviolent Arguments 34 A Class Perspective 49 Part II 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Gandhi: A Critical History Father of Nonviolence 56 Satyagraha in South Africa 59 Textile Strike 66 Noncooperation Movement 1919-22 70 Religious Conflicts 80 Salt Satyagraha 87 Congress Ministries 97 The War Years 101 Independence and Bloodshed 111 Part III 17 18 19 20 Nonviolence in the Anti-Nuclear Movement Nonviolent Direct Action 120 Consensus Decision Making 123 Open, Friendly, and Respectful 136 Civil Disobedience 142 Epilogue 151 Notes 154 ©2002 by Howard Ryan. All rights reserved. Readers have my permission to use and distribute for non-profit and educational purposes. Critique of Nonviolent Politics 2 Preface (2002) Critique of Nonviolent Politics may be the only comprehensive critique of nonviolent theory that has been written. I wrote it between 1980 and 1984, while living in Berkeley, California. Since 1977, I had been active in the movement against nuclear power and weapons which, in California, focused its protests at the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Plant near San Luis Obispo, and at the University of California's Lawrence Livermore Labs where nuclear weapons are designed. Nonviolence was the prevailing political theory in the movement, especially in the "direct action" wing which organized mass blockades and occupations at nuclear facilities. Nonviolence informed our tactics and strategies, our group processes, and our general ethos and outlook. As I engaged in the movement, I...
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...For King, nonviolence was a method of strategy and a way to outsmart the opponent. For Tutu, nonviolence was a choice led by morals and self-discipline. These differences are in part, due to King being a political leader and Tutu being a religious leader. Tutu did not receive a lot of recognition until he received a Nobel Peace Prize. Once Tutu received his award, people began to take notice and this caused the South African government to rethink and reconstruct sanctions in the country. Tutu’s actions were successful to a certain extent, but had he not received the award they would not have been. Martin Luther King Jr. received a lot of recognition and following in his time from both African American and Caucasian citizens. In 1963, King single-handedly led a 250,000 people march to Washington D...
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...caught in our own views." trapped in our own mind, not looking at the world through others perspective too. Thus, making us ignorant of what others go through, blocking us from understanding “Exclusion, getting caught in our views, is a deep-seated habit that arises from fear and misunderstanding of others.” “we must practice and develop understanding and compassion in all parts of our life." His views on the world where more that extended, he always tried to see every possible reason for every outcome, to understand the hate, and exchanging it with peace. Peace is something that can always be achieved, we just have to see stuff from the perspective of love, respect, understanding. “True peace is always possible” all of us can practice nonviolence. Just recognizing the fact that we can solve everything by rejecting hate and welcoming understanding “we have both the seeds of compassion and the seeds of violence.” we harvest what we plant, sparse hate and violence and that’s what you going to get back. Planting seeds and compassion, think of who they most be in another situation, who they are outside that poisonous situation in which you have encountered each other, understand that even though you don’t want to admit it you do have the seeds of violence in you, stop them from growing by watering and growing the seeds of compassion. Think about the possible motives that have driven that person to commit violent actions without attributing it to inside factor but situational factors...
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...Road to Peace Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. were two extraordinary men who shared a similar philosophy for the road to peace. Both men believed in nonviolent protest or nonviolent resistance to injustice and used nonviolent methods to push forward their cause. For Gandhi this cause was lobbying against the British rule, the unification and independence of India (Adams, Langer, Hwa, Stearns, and Wiesner-Hanks,). For Dr. King the cause was civil rights and social injustice to the black population in America, but also the social issues of racism, capitalism, poverty and militarism. Dr. King also took up the cause of speaking out against the war in Vietnam and lobbied for the U.S. government to withdraw from Vietnam (King Jr.). I believe that both of these men, although differed in some aspects, believed in a philosophy of peace, love, and human brotherhood and as such their philosophy and views hold relevant material for us today as we journey through tumultuous times and navigate the social injustices that remain. Gandhi fought for the independence of India and the right for India to self-govern and attain rights for the citizens of India. Mahatma Gandhi took up the cause of fighting against British rule with unequal laws in a unique way. He encouraged nonviolent protest or what he termed “nonviolent civil disobedience” in the face of aggression or violence, defying the laws of the time (Gandhi). Whereas, Dr. King’s cause was a civil rights issue, fighting...
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...The history of nonviolence shows us that is very common that laws need to be broken in order for justice to be achieved. Specifically, the nonviolent campaigns that we read about in chapter 2 and 3 definitely would not have been successful if they did not break the law. Just because there is a law in place does not mean that the law is ethical or moral. In Reverend Lawson’s letter to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. he is talking how the power structure is perpetuating injustice because there are some people that hold so much power and because they do that is causing it to be harder to achieve justice. The power structure could be referring to white people or it could be referring to the government. That suggests that there need to be changes...
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