Yesterday, the New York Times ran an op-ed about—get this—nonviolence. Published in the wake of the horrible expressions of white “supremacy” in Charlottesville, VA, the piece extols the effectiveness of humor and nonviolence principles/strategies to dispel displays of racist hatred.
The op-ed, written by Moises Velasquez-Manoff, quotes two members of our Metta Center staff. Here’s the snippet featuring Michael Nagler, our founder and president:
Violence directed at white nationalists only fuels their narrative of victimhood—of a hounded, soon-to-be-minority who can’t exercise their rights to free speech without getting pummeled. It also probably helps them recruit. And more broadly, if violence against minorities is what you find repugnant in neo-Nazi rhetoric, then “you are using the very force you’re trying to overcome,” Michael Nagler, the founder of the Peace and Conflict Studies program at the University of California, Berkeley, told me.
The piece also picks up points from Stephanie Van Hook, our executive director. It references the noted scholars Maria Stephan and Erica Chenoweth as well. Check out yesterday’s op-ed and let us know what you think. Feel called to share it? Please do!
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By: Kimberlyn David
Kimberlyn’s mission is to bring transformative approaches to work, leadership, and changemaking. Along these lines, she guides retreats, teaches emancipatory yoga, and develops communications and wellbeing initiatives for ethical brands. She contributes to Metta Center outreach and educational programs on a regular consultative basis. Learn more about Kimberlyn on her website: kimberlyndavid.com.
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