Major point Major point
Violence uses force to hurt life and escalates through retaliation.
to remember. to remember.

Let's begin by asking ourselves questions and looking at some examples.

*I think an example of Violence is...
*Do you find your answer on the following video and chart?

Here to move slide

Now that you have looked at the presentation and video above, continue by attempting and reviewing these questions:
CLICK! on the question for the answer:
1) What will be our working definition of violence?
Violence uses force to harm life.

2) What is conflict?
Conflict is an opposition of ideas or actions, problems or disagreement. Conflict does not need to lead to violence. How conflict is handled determines if it is good or bad.

3) What part does anger play?
Anger is an emotion common to all people. It can be good if it contributes to bringing problems out and leading to solutions. Anger and conflict, both givens, probably cannot be avoided.

Here is one of many actual cases that show what nonviolence can do.

Case Study:

"Quick Change Artist"
 Turns Muggers into Helpers
An older woman was walking down a city street carrying her heavy shopping bags. Two young men came up behind her and overtook her on both sides. She knew what they were up to but she was far from any residence or person she knew. 

Before they got close enough to touch her or anything, she turned and grinned at each of them, thrust her packages into their arms, and told them how relieved she felt now that they had come along.
"I was really nervous on this street," she said, "And these bags are so heavy. Would you help me?" The men took the bags instinctively, and off the three of them walked together, the woman thanking the two men all the while for being such good and helpful people. 

See Safe Passage on City Streets (Samuel), p. 89.

Analysis: 

The older woman uses many tactics which will later be introduced in the sessions. However, probably the most apparent tactic used in this case study is her use of surprise in the situation. Her unexpected response to the muggers caused the muggers to respond in an automatic and unplanned manner. 

VIOLENCE ESCALATES
What does this mean in our lives?

The more violence escalates, the harder it becomes to stop and reverse. Even small signs of tension or discontent should be addressed.

The following films are an example of how an extreme situation was not escalated due to nonviolent choices:

The History and Legacy of Jane Addams, Case Study and Video Clip
The following case is about this historical figure and her use of deescalation.

Case Study:

Bedroom Intruder 
Jane Addams' calm understanding succeeds

Jane Addams was the famous founder of Hull House, a service center and shelter in Chicago's inner city. Converted from an old mansion, Hull House no doubt seemed an oasis of wealth in an otherwise very poor area. Though Ms. Addams lived in Hull House, there was really nothing of monetary value in it. 

One night a man broke in, not an uncommon occurrence there. Jane Addams was awakened as he made his way into her own bedroom, looking for money or jewelry. Instead of being terrified, she greeted him very naturally. 

"What do you want?" she asked.
"I want money."
"Well, what is the trouble?"  she asked, just as she did all needy visitors to Hull House. 
"I need money. I'm out of work."
"I have no money," Jane Addams answered honestly and without defensiveness, "but if you will come around in the morning, I'll try to find a job for you."

Because of the natural way she spoke, he seemed not to doubt her word. The burglar left, unthreatened, and did indeed return in the morning. He even identified himself when the same calm Ms. Addams met him at the door, unassisted by police or weapons. She was, in fact, able to find him a job. 

See Safe Passage on City Streets (Samuel), pp. 19-20

Meet Jane Addams

Analysis:

Jane Addams did not "lose face", rejected violence, maintained conduct, relations, and integrity. She also worked to learn all of the facts and be helpful, while using her mental resources and surprise tactics. Finally, she loved her enemy. 


*These are all tactics you will find in the chart regarding the difference between violent and nonviolent tactics.

Responding with tactics that work comes from the goals and attitudes one has before the situation occurs. The following chart represents opposite ends of a continuum of behavior. With what responses are you familiar? 



Goals:






Attitudes:

Violence...

  • Defeat opponent to a finish.....
  • Humiliate, injure, corner and/or destroy opponent.....
  • Win while the opponent loses......


  • Requires a strong hatred and fear of opponent to stimulate the necessary rage to attack and harm......

...Nonviolence

......Make friends with the opponent
......Work with the opponent to solve the problem together
......Aim for Win-Win mutually satisfactory settlement


......Be friendly and caring toward the opponent

......Avoid any harm toward opponent

......Try to overcome the opponent's hatred and fear

......Think and act clearly and with self-control.

......Hold firmly and calmly to your goals and values even while suffering rage or attack

What PRINCIPLES & TECHNIQUES of nonviolence do you already use?



*Click HERE to download the chart on violent and nonviolent principles and techniques.
Here to move slide
The next two historical cases show the vast differences in principles between violence and nonviolence.

Case Studies:

River of Death in Brazil
Persistent effort over 37 years brings peace.

For centuries, the white colonists' Indian program in Brazil was one of extermination only. "Shoot the Indians on sight" was the general policy. The Chavantes Indians, living close to the center of South America, made a specialty of answering white people's atrocities with their own atrocities. Over 300 years ago, the river in their territory was renamed the River of Death after it supposedly ran red with the blood of a party of white adventurers who thought they could invade Chavantes country militarily. White rubber prospectors, celebrating on a Saturday night, would grab an Indian, pour kerosene over him or her, light it and fire shots at the fleeing flames as the victim ran for the river in the dark. 

Onto this scene came Candide Rondom, an officer in the Brazilian army excited by the creative possibilities of a new approach. Rondon was eventually successful in instating a totally new policy: "Die if you must, but never kill an Indian." By 1910 he had persuaded the Brazilian government to establish the Indian Protection Service. It was a long struggle. 

Once, six of his representatives went into the jungle to make friendly contact with the Chavantes but were misunderstood and massacred. Even though guns for animal protection were with them, they were found in their boxes unopened. Apparently, these men really believed that it was better to be murdered by the Indians than to kill an Indian.

Gradually, the message began to get through to the Chavantes that the white people were no longer there to harm them. In 1945, Francisco Meireles and ten helpers planted peace offerings near Chavantes dwellings. Eventually some disappeared, replaced by broken arrows. Interpreting this as a gesture of friendship, Meireles and his friends shouted greetings. The Indians came out, more and more at once. As the Brazilians' presents gave out, hostility again developed and they had to flee a rain of arrows which killed one white man and one horse. But Meireles remained persistent. 

Finally in 1947, he heard of large numbers of Chavantes gathering on the opposite river bank. Without hesitating he went over to meet them. No sooner had he stepped ashore than Apoena himself, the formerly ruthless chief, rushed forward, threw his arms around Meireles, "This is a victory of patience, suffering and love."

See Courage in Both Hands (Hunter), pp. 89-92 

Candide Rodon and his representatives were dedicated to making friends, rather than enemies, with the Chavantes Indians. Therefore, they had to overcome hatred and hostility from the Chavantes and hold to their goals and values. There was an unwillingness to cause harm to the Chavantes, but a willingness to accept harm and suffering from them. Eventually, over time, Candide Rodon's tactics proved successful, and nonviolence, respect, and trust was achieved. 

Buddhist Abbot's Courage
Converts a warrior king to nonviolence

In India, about 261 BC, a Buddhist abbot confronted King Asoka, a famous warrior, who had pursued an enemy into his monastery. The King commanded, "Stand aside or I'll cut you down!" The abbot replied fearlessly, "You have the power but if you do, you will find that the law which is now speaking through this body will stand always in front of you, accusing you." In spite of further harassment, the abbot continued to refuse until King Asoka decided to withdraw. 

Subsequent thought about the situation and about the abbot's courage followed, during which Asoka himself was won over to the idea of nonviolence. In about 259 BC, he established the world's first nonviolent empire. For thirty years uninterrupted peace was maintained. Trees were planted far and wide. Wells were dug; hospitals built. Medicines were distributed, and the aged and infirm taken care of. Women achieved a more equitable position in society. Swords gave way to education. Missionaries went to other countries, not to impose but to share the way of life of the new empire. 

When India became a free nation again in 1947, her flag contained only Asoka's symbol: a wheel and the Sanskrit motto, "Truth Conquers."

See Courage in Both Hands (Hunter), pp. 100-101

King Asoka started to think clearly and with self control about alternative responses to conflict once he was met with the surprising response of the Buddhist Abbot: "You have the power, but if you do, you will find that the law which is now speaking through this body will stand always in front of you, accusing you." The king then rejected any and all use of violence in his nonviolent empire. He decided to be helpful rather then harmful and, in response, the empire was able to thrive on creative and mental resources. Many benefits were sparked, as found in the second paragraph of the case.  
"I do not want to give the impression that nonviolence will work miracles overnight. Men are not easily moved from their mental ruts or purged of their prejudice and irrational feelings. When the underprivileged demand freedom, the privileged first react with bitterness and resistance. So the nonviolent approach does not immediately change the hearts of the oppressor. It first does something to the hearts and souls of those committed to it. It gives them a new self-respect; it calls up resources of strength and courage that they did not know they had. Finally, it reaches the opponent and so stirs his conscience that reconciliation becomes reality."

"Speech on Love and Peace"

Review and Reflect

Major point to remember:

Violence uses force to hurt life and escalates through retaliation.

To Reflect: Optional Activities
Materials located on the "Extra" page for applications #1 & #2 

#1: Analyze at least two Case Studies: 1B, 2B, 2C, 2D 
#2: Movie Assignment: View "Witness" and answer the corresponding questions
#3: Application: 

Think about how your family solves problems. Are any of these escalation behaviors familiar? In Session 1 of this Alternatives to Violence Course, we explain that escalation is the chief characteristic of violence. It is most important to behave in ways that do not escalate disagreement to more serious problems.

If you are currently in a disagreement with another, think about which approach listed in the de-escalation column of the following worksheet you could sincerely try. If you have been unsuccessful in solving past conflicts, maybe there is a de-escalating behavior you can adopt for a future approach.
Behaviors that Lead to Escalation or Deescalation
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Reviewed April 2022