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"Non-violent protest" is not rooted in good will because you don't want to hurt your opponent. The idea is to let yourself be beat up in order to win the media
by tsss 6y ago
"Non-violent protest" is not rooted in good will because you don't want to hurt your opponent. The idea is to let yourself be beat up in order to win the media war and gain more sympathy/supporters. The whole point of this device is to not be hurt, which defeats the principle behind non-violent protest, so you might as well hit back with force. God knows the cops don't care if they permanently blind you, destroy your hearing or kill you.
- dragonwriter 6y ago> The idea is to let yourself be beat up in order to win the media war and gain more sympathy/supporters. It is not. The idea is not to provide political cover for violent escalation by the establishment. Now, if that escalation nevertheless occurs, one response is to make lemonade out of those lemons, but it's not the goal of nonviolent protest.
- ISL 6y agoTwo thoughts on the subject from Dr. King: “Nonviolence is a powerful and just weapon, which cuts without wounding and ennobles the man who wields it. It is a sword that heals.” “Nonviolence is absolute commitment to the way of love. Love is not emotional bash; it is not empty sentimentalism. It is the active outpouring of one’s whole being into the being of another.” The point is to sway the very opponent who is harming you, to convince them that hurting you is wrong. It takes great strategy, tactics, and courage. The point is not to be a martyr, it is to create change that makes a difference.