Example Of Nonviolent Resistance

     While other prominent civil rights groups were engaging in non-violent protests such as sit-ins and rallies, the Black Panther Party was determined to take a bolder stance against injustice. The Party believed that the methods that organizations such as the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA), and leaders such as Booker T. Washington and Martin Luther King, Jr. were implementing remained ineffective against an extremely discriminatory America:

Protests are a way that many citizens have historically exercised their right to freedom of speech and as to voice their opinions on current matters in the U.S. as well as other nations. Protests help the uninformed get informed on specific issues, and try to persuade fellow citizens. What were some of the effective aspects of the protests that were portrayed in “The Matrix”, “Battle in Seattle” as well as those in “The Letter from Birmingham Jail”? What were the downfalls? An effective protest is one where an advocated idea gets across to the intended audience. Peaceful protests tend to have a better outcome than those that lead to violence.

The American Civil Rights Movement in the late 1950s and 1960s generated massive international following and controversy, which made the movement one of the most important in U.S. history. The movement’s legacy can still be felt today, with the positive aspects, such as voting rights to African Americans and wide spread desegregation of public facilities, still being felt in the United States, and in many similar models across the globe. Although there were many “battlegrounds” where civil issues were debated, many people who know of the movement today would argue that the movement’s heart was rooted in the Deep South, ironically where it could be argued that the mentality of people living in the area at the time were the most violently opposed to such civil rights. In contrast, those who championed the Civil Rights Movement chose the tactic of nonviolence, at least at first, as a tool to dismantle racial segregation, discrimination, and inequality. They followed models that Martin Luther King Jr. and other activists had commissioned, using principles of nonviolence and passive resistance. Civil rights leaders had understood that segregationists would do anything to maintain their power over blacks. So, in consequence, they believed some changes might be made if enough people outside the

“We affirm the philosophical or religious ideal of nonviolence as the foundation of our purpose, the pre-supposition of our faith, and the manner of our action” (371), is the mission statement of the organization Student Violent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) that clearly portrays its philosophy of nonviolence in the struggle against racial injustice and inequality. Nonviolence is one of the most important philosophies that is most relevant today in many cases and also remains important in the struggle against the racial injustice and inequality. Organizations of African-Americans today still believe in nonviolence as the way of facing the racial injustice and inequality. They take their action against the racial injustice and inequality by following the rules and regulations rather committing any violent crime. And, I

unjust” (Banks 1). “Principle four – accept suffering without retaliation for the sake of the cause to achieve the goal – this characterizes that nonviolent resistance is a willingness to accept suffering without retaliation, to accept blows from the opponent without striking back; accept the violence, if necessary; but to never inflict violence on another” (Banks 2). “Principle five – avoid internal violence of the spirit, as well as, external physical violence – a nonviolent resister not only refuses to fight or shoot his opponent, but he also refuses to hate him; at the center of nonviolence stands the principle of love for one another” (Banks 2). “Principle six – the universe is on the side of justice – this basic fact pertaining to nonviolent resistance is that it is based on the conviction that the universe is on the side of justice which is positive peace, consequently, the believer in nonviolence has a deep faith in the future and therefore, can accept suffering without retaliation. There is a creative force in this universe, that by whatever name we decide to call it, it works to bring the disconnected aspects of reality into a harmonious whole; a universal wholeness for each of us to share with one another and that nonviolence is both the means and the end” (Banks 3). Dr. King also had a couple of

Many people turned to violence during this time, but Martin Luther King, Jr., a legendary front-runner of this movement, advocated for peace. In his “I Have a Dream” speech, one that is still quoted by American citizens today, he voiced his wish that “one day right there in Alabama little black boys and black girls will he able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers” (King). Rather than using his position of power to communicate rage to the masses of people gathered before him, King relayed messages of optimism. As a result, the Civil Rights movement was one built on the notion that peaceful resistance was the key to equality. The Montgomery bus boycott, marches in Selma, Birmingham, and Washington, D.C. were all intentionally nonviolent. Protesters, calm in the face of brutal police retaliation in order to defend their rights, eventually achieved equality under the law (Simkins). Footage from the “Bloody Sunday” march in Selma, displaying passive African-American protesters being beaten down by police, was rapidly spread through the media, eventually reaching President Lyndon B. Johnson and motivating him to take action against racism, passing measures such as the 1965 Voting Rights Act (History.com) Though radical protesters did resort to violence during the movement, we remember it and teach it for its emphasis on

The Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) mobilized students to protest about the disenfranchisement and segregation plaguing their city, they organized marches, sit-ins and boycotts, however these protests did not get much support from other civil rights leaders as they saw SNCC as troublemakers. It wasn’t until December 1961 that Martin Luther King and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) became involved. The authorities in Albany decided that there were to be no ‘Martyrs’ to the cause, the police reacted calmly and without violence, protesters were arrested and released, there was no media attention, no national outcry with is ultimately why the Albany movement failed, the protesters failed to get the nation on their side. Another problem was the different civil rights organization such as SNCC and the SCLC failed to co-operate. This was a significant cause to the Birmingham movement because if Albany had not happened the way it did, then Martin Luther King Jr may have never gone to

The NAACP , SCLC , and SNCC are all organizations that were against racial inequalty. Although each organization used different methods to enforce their beliefs , all 3 had the same message to seek justice.

There were the peaceful riot advocates and the black power militia supporters. Either way, the civil rights activists gained ground by exploiting several different methods and reaching different crowds. There were the legal gurus at the NAACP that challenged a lot of racist and unethical laws and bills. There were the mostly peaceful but often violent protests like the March on Washington or the Selma to Montgomery March.

One thing that I learned about that I didn’t know about was the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC). In the course book on 940, it mentions that they embraced civil disobedience and the nonviolence principles of Martin Luther King Jr. They would not respond with violence if they were attacked. In an article titled, “SNCC”, written by the History.com staff, it mentions that in 1966, when Stokely Carmichael was elected head of the SNCC he had new tactics one of which was the use of violence as a legitimate means of self-defense. It goes on to mentions that his successor, H. Rap Brown, went further, saying, “Violence is as American as cherry pie.” This is what made it interesting, they group started of with not responding to the

The nonviolence tactic was more effective than violence in the Civil Rights Movement because it caused many throughout the nation to feel sympathy for the African American cause. Particularly, many White people began to sympathize with African Americans. Many joined organizations, thus supporting various forms of protesting including sit-ins, pray-ins, wade-ins, marches, boycotts, rallies, and Freedom Rides (Blumberg 1).The cooperative work between Whites and African Americans helped with the integration objective. In addition, the turmoil occurring throughout the country drove the two presidents of

The success of the fight for racial equality, also known as the Civil Rights Movement, in the United States was characterized by major campaigns of civil resistance. Between the 1950s and the 1960s, civil rights activists practiced non violence in hopes to end racial segregation and discrimination across the country and worldwide. Leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr., Jim Lawson, and John Lewis believed strongly in this philosophy of nonviolence as the key of success for the Civil Rights Movement.

Peaceful resistance is a major part of American history, from the American Revolution to the 1960’s Civil Rights Movement to the Travel Ban protests of today. These instances of peaceful resistance shape American society for the better, as the voices of minorities are heard and unjust laws are ended. Peaceful resistance does positively impact a free society, as supported by Henry Thoreau, demonstrated by the 1960 Civil Rights Movement, and anticipated by protests of today.

Throughout history there have been many peaceful resistances against the government. One main example would be the Civil Rights Movement in the United States which started in 1954 and ended in 1968. This movement fought for equal rights for the African American society. Another example would be the women’s march which helped bring awareness to the current issues women have been facing. Both of these movements are examples of the people exercising the first amendment. Though we cannot see the lasting effects of the current movement, we can use the Civil Rights Movement as an example that shows positive changes from peaceful resistances.

The African American Civil Rights Movement and the ANC used protests, boycotts, strikes, civil disobedience, and various other nonviolent methods in order to achieve their goal of racial equality. Nelson Mandela opened the