Violence and force
by John K. Stoner, Akron, Pa.
Denny Weaver’s “Visualizing Nonviolence” (May 20) helps us distinguish violence from coercion or force, both of which can be forms of nonviolence. But it is essential to make this kind of distinction. Once we give up our capacity to tell one thing from another, mushing everything together just because it isn’t easy to distinguish, we fall into absurdity and apathy.
Other words may help, such as adding “homicidal” to violence—as in “homicidal violence”—because violence properly so called is willing to kill the other and “homicidal” is a useful modifier to make that clear.
Coercion or force, as Weaver speaks of them, might better be called “urging to change,” because that is the intent and predictable result of the kind of actions he describes. Change is difficult for people, and the only thing more difficult than changing oneself may be believing that others can change. But nonviolence as a form of power and action is predicated on the resolute faith that others are capable of change. A Bible word for change is “repent.”
Associated Issue: Poverty in the suburbs - May 20, 2008
Associated Article: Visualizing nonviolence
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