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
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 social movement.”
What exactly is nonviolence? Although the word conjures up images of passivity, nonviolence is humanity’s most creative, positive, and affirmative power. Mahatma Gandhi called it “soul force.” In a campaign for social change, nonviolence takes the form of 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: 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 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.
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 at Cal was unquestionably the 1964 Free Speech Movement. The legacy continues up to the present day: in 2007, nonviolent activists 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: www.mettacenter.org
• Watch Prof. Michael Nagler’s Webcasts of PACS 164A: Introduction to Nonviolence and PACS 164B: Nonviolence Today (visit the Metta Center website for links)
• Read The Search for a Nonviolent Future and Hope or Terror: Gandhi and the Other 9/11 by Michael Nagler and Gandhi: The Man by Eknath Easwaran
PeacePower magazine
Created and run by students, PeacePower magazine offers its staff members the chance to contribute to a unique and optimistic vision of a better world. The publication focuses on nonviolent activism, such as the recent uprising in Burma and the Combatants for Peace in Israel/Palestine, as well as campaigns here at home such as community-building in the co-ops and anti-violence campaigns in Richmond. The PeacePower decal class has opportunities for all types of interests, including writing, editing, design, and business. Visit http://www.calpeacepower.org for back issues and more info.
Michael Nagler, Respected Professor of Nonviolence, Leaves Cal
Dr. Michael N. Nagler has left an enduring legacy of education and activism for peace at UC Berkeley. He founded the Peace and Conflict Studies (PACS) program, in some respects one of the first of its kind in the world. Unfortunately, Prof. Nagler finished teaching in Spring ‘07, but he is still quite active. In addition to speaking and writing, he founded and runs the Metta Center for Nonviolence Education, which is here in Berkeley.
Prof. Nagler is also a meditation teacher, and one of the original students of Eknath Easwaran. Along with meditation, his many years of teaching courses in nonviolence at Cal have lead to his huge popularity among students. If you are interested in learning about nonviolence, check out his books or his classes in webcast format at www.mettacenter.org. You can also volunteer to help with nonviolence education projects at the Metta Center.