Nonviolence: The Power to Change Yourself and the World…
"Nonviolence is the greatest force at the disposal of humankind. It is mightier than the mightiest weapon of destruction devised by the ingenuity of man." – Mahatma Gandhi
"Why nonviolence?" people ask in the face of one of the most violent, repressive, dominant, and militaristic regimes the world has ever seen: the U.S. government.
The answer is essentially twofold: one, the master’s house will never be dismantled by the master’s tools. Violence might seem to accomplish a goal here or there, but in the long run, it always produces far-reaching negative consequences for all humanity. And two, nonviolence – also known as soul force, or active ‘loving kindness’ – is both effective at making the world a better place if it is deployed appropriately, and an evolved way of life to which we can all strive.
The power of nonviolence has been demonstrated by millions of people around the world who have harnessed “the greatest power ever wielded by humanity” to create better lives for themselves, develop more positive relationships, and overthrow repressive regimes. From India and the U.S. to the Czech Republic and Chilé, over one billion people are living in a regime that has been “significantly affected by a nonviolent movement.”
What exactly is nonviolence? Although the word conjures up images of passivity, nonviolence is in fact the most creative, positive force ever unleashed by humankind. Nonviolence is not simply marching in the streets with banners. Although the 2003 anti-Iraq war protests were largely “not violent,” sadly they had almost nothing whatsoever to do with nonviolence. Real nonviolence requires active and affirmative resistance to the oppressor, including the acceptance of self-suffering - what Gandhi called “obstructive programme.”
Nonviolent obstruction usually falls into one of the following two areas:
• Non-cooperation: Refusing to cooperate with the regime, such as strikes, boycotts, and divestment. Example: the famous Montgomery Bus Boycott of 1955, when African-American civil rights advocates refused to ride segregated buses.
• Civil disobedience: Openly breaking morally reprehensible laws and accepting the full consequences. Example: protestors who illegally cross the line onto the property of the School of the Americas, a Georgia, U.S.-based training facility for third-world paramilitary assassins.
All of these actions are ideally done with love and compassion for the oppressor, in an attempt to persuade them to drop the oppression and see the truth. Nonviolence is patient and loving, yet firm; it seeks to break down barriers and rebuild communities.
The other side of nonviolence is “constructive programme,” that which we do to build our own power and self-reliance, projects that bond us together. It is up to us to build the world in which we wish to live. Great examples here in Berkeley include the Suitcase Clinic, the Berkeley Free Clinic, Food Not Bombs, The Local, and education for peace and sustainability.
Skeptics assume that nonviolence can never succeed against truly ruthless regimes – but in fact, it already has. From Marcos in the Philippines to Milošević in Serbia, dictator after dictator has fallen to the power of the people – a power that starts inside each individual. And whether or not a nonviolent movement accomplishes its stated objectives, it always works on a deeper level to influence the consciousness of humanity and rearrange the status quo for the better. Violence, on the other hand, always fails in the long run – as Gandhi said, violent revolution brings violent regimes.
Here at UC Berkeley, students have been harnessing the power of nonviolence to oppose the oppressive UC Regents and the UC Administration for decades. The highpoint of nonviolent activism was unquestionably the 1964 Free Speech Movement, although more recently nonviolent activists have protested nuclear weapons at the UC Regents meetings, sat in Oak Trees to protect them, and more. We hope you will choose to join the experiment in nonviolence!
Want to learn more? Check out the following resources:
• Metta Center for Nonviolence Education
• Watch Prof. Michael Nagler’s PACS 164A: Intro to Nonviolence and PACS 164B: Nonviolence Today webcasts
• The Search for a Nonviolent Future and Hope or Terror: Gandhi and the Other 9/11 by Michael Nagler
• Gandhi: The Man by Eknath Easwaran
• PeacePower magazine
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Pictured: During the famous "Salt Satyagraha" of 1930, Mahatma Gandhi picked up a pinch of salt on the Dandi beach in defiance of the British Empire's unjust salt laws. Soon, tens of thousands of Indians were to join him in nonviolently defying the British Empire. Read more about this great moment in PeacePower.