Great read! I’ve pondered the violence/non-violence stance often. My human work in El Salvador brought me to an early conclusion that if there is no social space - no political space - for dissent or evolution, you can do two things - live oppressed or create that space- thus revolutionaries. Thirty years later I still believe that. People in desperate situations with no path to seeking justice will do what others label extreme. I know my own answer to your rhetorical…what if it were my family. What I’m thinking about after reading this is this- is there a level of privilege to a non-violent stance? A bunch of us (women, poc) just signed up for a gun safety class. Not to start a revolution- and mostly for the moose when dog sledding But- winter (or rather climate change apocalypse) is coming. If I don’t, or my descendente don’t, have the privilege of non-violence, they’ll be ready (taking my daughter w me to class). Intense.
"That is the beautifully written moral clarity you just don’t get anywhere but in Du Bois, Baldwin, and Unruly Quaker."
Legends, all.
I definitely believe that "I mean, I don’t think Brown was a chill hang." should go into your book of famous quotations!
Great read! I’ve pondered the violence/non-violence stance often. My human work in El Salvador brought me to an early conclusion that if there is no social space - no political space - for dissent or evolution, you can do two things - live oppressed or create that space- thus revolutionaries. Thirty years later I still believe that. People in desperate situations with no path to seeking justice will do what others label extreme. I know my own answer to your rhetorical…what if it were my family. What I’m thinking about after reading this is this- is there a level of privilege to a non-violent stance? A bunch of us (women, poc) just signed up for a gun safety class. Not to start a revolution- and mostly for the moose when dog sledding But- winter (or rather climate change apocalypse) is coming. If I don’t, or my descendente don’t, have the privilege of non-violence, they’ll be ready (taking my daughter w me to class). Intense.
Thank you for sharing your research and your thoughts and for stimulating my mind. I love the journey of how you process your process. ♥️
Lords and serfs
Masters and slaves
CEOs and low-wage workers
Predatory types always find a way to oppress.
Violence is counterproductive.
Instead: protest, humiliate the jerks, be active, give.