Non-violence a philosophy for everyday living
By Dotti Farrington

Principles of nonviolence, as applied to everyday life as well as international problems of war and terrorism, were discussed Sunday by Laura Clarke, a local youth worker and area school counselor, at a community program hosted by the Central Baptist Church.

She talked about the principles defined by Martin Luther King Jr., not only as the civil rights leader of his people, but also as a trained clergyman, sociologist and philosopher. She reported that King asked his national coordinator, Bernard LaFayette Jr., now URI center director, to work to see that nonviolence was institutionalized and internationalized. She said LaFayette is accomplishing both goals through the URI Center.

Clarke spoke of her first life introduction to the principles when her mother told her about "white sheets in a closet . . . owned and used by men who are cowards." She commented that King's "Dream speech about civil rights was just a tip of the iceberg about need for nonviolence." She referred to his leadership in "rocking the boat" against injustice and she defined Kingian principles as "based in love . . . agape love that we love you because you exist."

Clarke talked about needs for nonviolence principles in teaching youth about dealing with bullies and dealing with violence among peers. "Nonviolence is bravery. It's not hitting back" but using the principles to lessen and end violence, she emphasized. "It's not us versus them," but recognizing human needs in each other, she said.

She noted the church hosted a workshop last summer for teens and adults in Jamestown. Church members indicated interest in hosting a follow-up seminar to her Sunday presentation.

Participants in her program reflected that the nonviolence principles seemed to equate to the concept of forgiveness in any faith-based community and that forgiveness seems to be the most difficult concept to achieve. The talk led one man to comment on the "absurdity of war to overcome terrorism" when war itself is violence and terrorism. In response, Clarke quoted King's saying that "an eye for an eye results in a blind world." She said "We have to be the change we want to see."

Others in the group asked how to encourage change. One answer was that change involves "waiting for God, one of the hardest principles to teach."

Clarke said a simplified version of King's several books, lectures and other presentations about nonviolence are summarized as six principles and six steps or skills. She listed the principles as:

Nonviolence is a way of life for courageous people, the community is the goal, attack the forces of evil, not the people doing evil; accept suffering without retaliation for the sake of the goal; avoid internal violence of the spirit as well as external violence; and the Universe is on the side of justice.

Clarke concluded the steps are: information gathering, education, personal commitment, negotiation, direct action if needed, and reconciliation.