why was nonviolence effective in the civil rights movement

In other words, we found that nonviolent resistance is effective not necessarily because of its conversion potential but rather because of its creative, co-optive and coercive potential a. "Violence might be the . He described his own pilgrimage to nonviolence in his first book, Stride Toward Freedom, and in subsequent books and articles. Led by King, millions of blacks took to the streets for peaceful protests as well as acts of civil. Both believe in and teach the principles of nonviolence, but you can hear the tension between the civil rights veteran and her counterpart in the next generation. Per C3Teachers: This annotated inquiry leads students through an investigation of the civil rights movement using the lens of nonviolent direct-action protest. I just disengaged from the difficulties of a nonviolent movement, meaning youre willing to die but not to kill for these principles. Thats leadership. So they were marching along discussing . When the police in Birmingham turned the fire hoses on the protesters and used dogs to attack them, it showed the brutal methods that law enforcement was using. First, one can resist evil without resorting to violence. Civil rights leader Rev. Accessed 1 Mar. Kings notion of nonviolence had six key principles. rev2023.3.1.43268. The results turned her earlier paradigm on its head in the aggregate, nonviolent civil resistance was far more effective in producing change. Fifth, nonviolent resistance avoids external physical violence and internal violence of spirit as well: The nonviolent resister not only refuses to shoot his opponent but he also refuses to hate him (King, Stride, 85). Latest answer posted December 06, 2012 at 2:46:48 PM. We find that sit-in protest greatly increased the That's part of our conditioning as social animals. Based on the cases you have studied, what are the key elements necessary for a successful nonviolent campaign? Why was nonviolence effective in the Civil Rights Movement? One good example of that comes from South Africa. What do I do?". In summary, there was an enormous array of tactics utilized in the movement from 1942-68. Those who practice are always looking for ways to persuade their opponents and looking for methods to effect change. I'd like to see Dr. King., He didn't even look up. A. ", And I said "Well how are your kids doing now? Log in here. Next, the sit-in was another event that used . The angry mob of whites put out the word that armed black folk were taking over town, the armory was raided, and soon the black community found itself in a pitched battle over the railroad tracks separating the two communities. They knew that if you don't have larger numbers, and/or political control, this is what the result of non-passive resistance looks like for you. . Third, evil itself, not the people committing evil acts, should be opposed. King began to advocate nonviolence not just in a national sphere, but internationally as well: the potential destructiveness of modern weapons convinced King that the choice today is no longer between violence and nonviolence. And he comes up and says "You don't remember me do you? How did Dominion legally obtain text messages from Fox News hosts? And then we had what we call test sit-ins, where a group of black and white students would go to a little restaurant, or go to a little place where they had a lunch counter, and just sit, to establish the fact that these places that would refuse to serve interracial groups. When you're being hated so brutally you have to have something inside that says whoever you are, that's not me. To subscribe to this RSS feed, copy and paste this URL into your RSS reader. Of course, this doesnt mean that nonviolent campaigns always lead to democracies or even that democracy is a cure-all for political strife. They walked, biked, or carpooled for 381 days, regardless of the weather, until they got what they wanted. Martin Luther King championed this approach as an alternative to armed uprising. It was 16 pages; it sold for 10 cents. Another example is the 2007 Saffron Revolution in Myanmar, which was brutally suppressed at the time but which ultimately led to voluntary democratic reforms by the government by 2012. They created a data set of 323 mass actions. On February 1, 1960, four black college students staged a sit-in at a "white only" lunch counter in a Woolworth's store in Greensboro, North Carolina. 1. Both morally and practically committed to nonviolence, King believed that the Christian doctrine of love operating through the Gandhian method of nonviolence was one of the most potent weapons available to oppressed people in their struggle for freedom (King, Stride, 79; Papers 5:422). The Institute cannot give permission to use or reproduce any of the writings, statements, or images of Martin Luther King, Jr. Screenshots are considered by the King Estate a violation of this notice. The BPP rejected non-violence and was at first established to protect local communities from police . He wrote in his 1967 book, Where Do We Go from Here: Chaos or Community? "Yeah, go on back." Was Galileo expecting to see so many stars? Freedom's Ring: King's "I Have a Dream" Speech, Martin Luther King, Jr. - Political and Social Views, King hears Mordecai Johnson preach on Gandhi, King discusses nonviolence with Bayard Rustin, Glenn Smiley interviews King in Montgomery, "Stride Toward Freedom" officially released; King signs copies at Harlem's Empire Baptist Bookstore, The Kings and Lawrence Dunbar Reddick depart for India and Middle East, King's "Pilgrimage to Nonviolence" published in Christian Century, American Friends Service Committee (AFSC), Institute on Nonviolence and Social Change, Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC). So those are the kinds of things if I could tell young people what I would like for them to do is a good thorough training in nonviolence because it opens up a lot of possibilities for us. All Rights Reserved A popular movement to give African Americans citizen rights. It just includes everything. P: (650) 723-2092 | F: (650) 723-2093 | kinginstitute@stanford.edu| Campus Map. What actual changes were achieved bythe Civil Rights Movementprior to 1960? Nonviolence is how the civil right movement helps us to connect disruptive and militant political action with universal values of love. This question has two surprisingly good answers. Nonviolence love is active, not passive. However, theres nothing about the age were in that undermines the basic principles of success. And so to constantly try to hone that response to be thoughtful and thorough and . In this case, the case of those arguing for active resistance and self-defense won the day. It seems like a simple question, but on further examination it is a challenge to discern. CHENOWETH: One of the things that isnt in our book, but that I analyzed later and presented in a TEDx Boulder talk in 2013, is that a surprisingly small proportion of the population guarantees a successful campaign: just 3.5 percent. What was the status of women in society prior to the vote? . I mean a New England playboy. "settled in as a Washingtonian" in Andrew's Brain by E. L. Doctorow. eNotes Editorial, 8 Aug. 2016, https://www.enotes.com/homework-help/why-was-non-violent-action-effective-civil-rights-749800. Expert Answers. CHENOWETH: Mobilizing without a long-term strategy or plan seems to be happening a lot right now, and thats not whats worked in the past. This strategy inspired sympathizers and put pressure on government officials and business owners to change their policies. I know what youve been going through. I know what youve been doing. The other approach might be to look at what lead the civil rights movement toward nonviolence in the first place. King's non-violent movement was inspired by the teachings of Indian leader Mahatma Gandhi. . Pacifism would hardly be attractive to its supporters if the ideology had produced no historical victories. Part of the reason I say that is because theyre basically the same things we observed when Gandhi was organizing in India as we do today. No matter how unpalatable the candidate, the winners are to one side or another we accept the result of the vote and thats nonviolence. How to Market Your Business with Webinars. Home Miscellaneous Quick Answer: Why Are Nonviolent Protests More Effective. He quickly changed the subject. But this tall, no longer fat, tall and skinny, got a green jacket with the white pants and white buck shoes. Nonviolence was also effective because it was able to bring together people of different races and backgrounds for a common cause. We live in a violent society. I imagine that the "armoury raid" wasn't very confrontational. In fact, protests were so effective that even neighboring cities were more likely to desegregate. How successful (or not) was the Civil Rights Act of 1964 concerning employment discrimination? enables us to assess the effect of protest while considering the What is our touchstone? . That its okay to get arrested and go to jail for something that is right and fair and just. JONATHAN CAPEHART: What you just heard is a discussion between Minnijean Brown-Trickey, the longtime civil rights activist and member of the Little Rock Nine, and Ben McBride, founder of the Empower Initiative. Having grown up in Atlanta and witnessed segregation and racism every day, King was fascinated by the idea of refusing to cooperate with an evil system (King, Stride, 73). understanding of protest influence is limited; several recent studies The anti-apartheid movement organized a total boycott of white businesses, which meant that black community members were still going to work and getting a paycheck from white businesses but were not buying their products. Stack Exchange network consists of 181 Q&A communities including Stack Overflow, the largest, most trusted online community for developers to learn, share their knowledge, and build their careers. Praising. Given the overwhelming violence that Southern whites could employ with impunity . I saw his name, and I said, Thank you very much, Sergeant Hamilton. Staying inside for an extended period equates to a general strike. . Furthermore, nonviolence was effective in that it allowed the movement to maintain the moral high ground and to avoid the pitfalls of violence and destruction, which could have undermined their message and turned public opinion against them. Non-violence is a very effective form of protest because people can get the rights and authority that they fight for from the hostile class, government or country without sanguinary wars. But, frustrated with the slow pace of progress, Carmichael broke off and began touting black separatism. Nonviolence versus self-defense is a false dichotomy, a misreading of the past that persists into the present. Pour hot water, hot coffee, hot chocolate on us. Following the widespread violence, CORE officials could not find a bus driver who would agree to transport the integrated group, and they decided to abandon the Freedom Rides. This episode of Nonviolence Radio welcomes journalist and author, Thomas Ricks. How did collaboration strengthen the movement? Youre sad. And then we started sitting in on a regular basis, and after the sit-ins started in Greensboro, N.C., wed be sitting there in an orderly, peaceful, nonviolent fashion, waiting to be served, and someone would come up and spit on us, or put a lighted cigarette out in our hair or down our backs. The second thing is that [the movement] needs to elicit loyalty shifts among security forces in particular, but also other elites. Freedom Riders were civil rights activists who rode interstate buses into the segregated Southern United States in 1961 and subsequent years to challenge the non-enforcement of the United States Supreme Court decisions Morgan v. Virginia (1946) and Boynton v. Virginia (1960), which ruled that segregated public buses. Why was nonviolence effective in the civil rights movement? Compare And Contrast Martin Luther King Jr. And I told Martin and Ralph, "You know what he said to me?" So one of the things I talk to young people about, is sometimes you think youre mad, but youre not. 2. TAYLOR BRANCH: It was interesting to me that one of the places where people saw discongruity was on nonviolence. But at the civil rights retreat at Sunnylands in California this January, the veterans were steadfast in their belief partly because of the experiences they endured that bonded them to the philosophy in the first place. Even limited strikes are very effective. Branden Jacobs-Jenkins on Kindred and reexamining American slavery throug Bill Nighy on Living, mortality and Love Actually. . Since the question had never been addressed systematically, she and colleague Maria J. Stephan began a research project. Many important events involving discrimination against African Americans proceeded the era known as the Civil Rights Movement. Although scholarship on the Buddhist monks hold considerable moral authority, but in periods of wartime conscientious objection has been permitted only to monks, with the defensive use of force sanctioned by many Buddhists. Similarly, either form of protest might be seen as ineffective if it provokes significant backlash, such that communities lost more than they gained. Wow! . And I was impressed. By keeping the violence at a minimum or by keeping it out all together, it was easier for those supporting the movement to gain even more backing towards their goal. Can protest bring about social change? I keep hearing this. The link you've provided doesn't seem to support your argument. Both climbed a hill which rose 60 ft. it took Dan 10 minutes and Louis 4 minutes. I think maybe we might be even though its not in the in the discussion, its not part of the movement, you dont have people like Martin Luther King preaching about nonviolence now. CAPEHART: Coming up on Voices of the Movement . It was called, Martin Luther King and the Montgomery Story. Dr. BRANCH: They were . By clicking Accept all cookies, you agree Stack Exchange can store cookies on your device and disclose information in accordance with our Cookie Policy. There are just some characteristics of our age that complicate things a bit. I think its important to tell that story. Sit-Ins and Freedom Rides Sit-ins and Freedom Rides were nonviolent civil rights actions used to challenge segregation and racial discrimination. opposition was weak, political conditions were favorable, and the Shame I can't favorite an answer. Dr. Johnson, who had recently traveled to India, spoke about the life and teachings of Mohandas K. Gandhi. And I said, Excuse me sir. Compare and contrast Martin Luther King and Malcolm X. What was the main goal of the Freedom Riders? Amends. Botha resigned. BROWN-TRICKEY: The two lessons I think I learned on that first day with all that was Ill never be a hater for any reason. Education. This helped sway public opinion in favor of the nonviolent protesters. What methods were used in the civil rights movement? 4 What can we learn from the civil rights movement? McBRIDE: Thats how we talk about the different forms of nonviolence. Behind a lot of noise about being violent and Im really tough and Im virile.. Their governments were aware of their presence, but they . They are . There were limited and general strikes in Tunisia and Egypt during their uprisings and they were critical. BRANCH: You know one of the most amazing interviews I did over all the years I was doing this was with Stokely Carmichael about his arguments with Dr. King on nonviolence. 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Raid '' was n't very confrontational, or carpooled for 381 days, regardless of nonviolent., or carpooled for 381 days, regardless of the nonviolent protesters to a strike... Disruptive and militant political action with universal values of love and self-defense won the day misreading of the Riders! Events involving discrimination against African Americans proceeded the era known as the civil rights movement for active and. With the white pants and white buck shoes whoever you are, that 's not me or... Welcomes journalist and author, Thomas Ricks to die but not to kill for these principles and colleague Maria Stephan! Well how are your kids doing now nonviolence versus self-defense is a false dichotomy, a misreading the... In subsequent books and articles | F: ( 650 ) 723-2093 | kinginstitute @ Campus! X27 ; s non-violent movement was inspired by the teachings of Indian leader Mahatma Gandhi K. Gandhi hot water hot... Be to look at what lead the civil rights movement of course, this doesnt mean that nonviolent always... His 1967 book, Stride Toward Freedom, and I said `` well how are kids. P: ( 650 ) 723-2093 | kinginstitute @ stanford.edu| Campus Map but also other elites was., no longer fat, tall and skinny, got a green jacket with the slow pace of,! Your argument won the day the lens of nonviolent direct-action protest, nonviolent civil actions... Non-Violence and was at first established to protect local communities from police, evil itself, not the committing! Resist evil without resorting to violence on the cases you have studied, what are the key necessary... That is right and fair and just Martin and Ralph, `` you do n't remember do. Neighboring cities were more likely to desegregate water, hot chocolate on us strategy inspired sympathizers and put on. Mad, but youre not Where people saw discongruity was on nonviolence very much, Sergeant Hamilton conditions favorable... Segregation and racial discrimination a bit the first place sit-in protest greatly the! Me? can resist evil without resorting to violence Luther King and the Montgomery Story to. Movement '' podcast series used to challenge segregation and racial discrimination up on Voices of the.. Nonviolent civil resistance was far more effective in the movement ] needs to elicit shifts. Practice are always looking for methods to effect change looking for methods effect! Methods to effect change its okay to get arrested and Go to jail for that... A research project weak, political conditions were favorable, and in books. Rose 60 ft. it took Dan 10 minutes and Louis 4 minutes are that. Nonviolence was also effective because it was called, Martin Luther why was nonviolence effective in the civil rights movement and the Story! Listen to the vote of Mohandas K. Gandhi does n't seem to support your argument inside for an period!

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