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When those who have always used violence come up against those who refuse to even utter thoughts about it; the results speak for themselves. I am not advocating violence. I am not a pacifist either. All I’m suggesting is that if one side knows that violence is always off the table then it doesn’t take a genius to figure out a strategy to control people. We the people do have the power but we continue to tie one hand behind our backs.
The philosophies of Gandhi and MLK are the default when it comes to those who support non-violent action at all costs. It was violence that killed them both. Their movements were monumental and changed the world in many ways. Gandhi’s tactics influenced MLK and our Civil Rights Movement. What many fail to see however is that the power they challenged has grown exponentially. The state requires violence to exist and until we see that fact our tactics will remain predictable. What’s even more relevant is our ignorance, obliviousness or apathy to the fact that our very lifestyle or pursuit of it requires massive (mostly unseen) amounts of violence to be maintained here and around the globe.
We lose power by conceding the fact that we will remain peaceful at all costs in our resistance to the absolute power.
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So it’s odd that when it comes to our beliefs about violence, as they concern resistance to egregious injustices, we give away our poker hand by not even bothering to bluff. Apparently, we like our violence to stay at a distance. We like violence that we don’t have to see or experience. We like violence that brings us comfort and convenience. We like violence but we tell ourselves we don’t.
What’s even more relevant is our ignorance, obliviousness or apathy to the fact that our very lifestyle or pursuit of it requires massive (mostly unseen) amounts of violence to be maintained here and around the globe. So it’s odd that when it comes to our beliefs about violence, as they concern resistance to egregious injustices, we give away our poker hand by not even bothering to bluff. Apparently, we like our violence to stay at a distance. We like violence that we don’t have to see or experience. We like violence that brings us comfort and convenience. We like violence but we tell ourselves we don’t.
Maybe it’s not odd. Maybe we really know the incredible amount of violence it takes to keep the economy and therefore our lives running. Maybe we just continue to play the game of civil disobedience because at the end of the day we value our living arrangement more than we value justice. Maybe we know we’re complicit and we just don’t care. Personally, I believe we know what’s required to live a life within the global industrial economy but we feel powerless to do anything about it. Our response is to remain a predictable one-trick pony. As Dr. Phil would ask, “How’s that workin’ for you?”
We lose power by conceding the fact that we will remain peaceful at all costs in our resistance to the absolute power. We believe all violence is created equal and we continue to confuse our story of morality with legality. If we are to come out of these times where fascism is not hiding behind democratic propaganda then we must recognize the true power we do have. Not the kind of power that removes one corrupt administration for another, but rather the power to take control of our own lives.
Being covert in our actions is something we must learn and learn quickly. Otherwise, the results will remain the same. The state will continue to rule by force or the threat of force because it knows we are only willing to go so far. Our mantra that violence begets violence holds true. However, we remain hypocritical if we continue to live lives that are supported by violence and then simultaneously shun violence when it is brought to our doorsteps. If that’s going to remain the case then we may want to consider divesting in every aspect of our lives that supports government and industry.
I didn’t think so.
If we continue to use violence to support our way of life then I suggest we adjust our outlook when it applies to addressing absolute power of the state. If we plan on staying the course then we get absolutely what we deserve; an iceberg.
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Photo Credit: Getty Images
Mike Sliwa considering violent resistance is kinda funny. He’s part of a trend of authors here along with Alex Yarde who have reached such a crescendo of pique that they talk about revolution revolution revolution. Of course these guys have spent years doing nothing but alienating their fellow Americans and “hashtagging” their messages which more people find funny than credible. Secondly, As of January 17, 2016, Mike was “considering” buying a gun. See his article on open carry and white supremacy. If you look at who he rants about he likes to verbally attack people who have owned multiple guns… Read more »
Still following my work…thank you.
It’s like an intellectual train wreck… who could look away? Besides when Melissa McCarthy isn’t owning Sean Spicer on SNL I gotta find comedy somewhere. Of course this is sad enough to be a tragic comedy.
Maybe if you hadn’t defrauded a bunch of people in the name of revolution (this guy purposely defaulted on a bunch of debt) others would listen.
You go wanna be Rambo.
🙂
My local government, claim I owe them 2400 GBP. I do NOT. They took me to court, after the amounts and thus facts had changed, without informing me, thus I did not attend to represent my case. Thus a liability order has been issued against me. I have repeatedly stood my ground and informed the local revenue department that I do not recognised the claim, the issuing of the liability order and that I have no money and have no intentions of paying. In fact, this council owe ME nearly 2000 in unpaid housing benefit, which has almost made me… Read more »
Do you believe that Euskadi Ta Askatasuna (ETA) or the Irish Republican Army used violence, or threat of violence, in any ways that are acceptable or worth imitating? Both separatist groups, where sovereignty is the primary point of contention, without instigation or support by a foreign element. Both have used violent and nonviolent tactics throughout their existence, and consequently have been considered to be terrorist organizations and political opposition groups. And perhaps most relevant to the discussion, both eventually renounced violence due to pressure from enemies and sympathizers. To assert that violence has a rightful place alongside nonviolent resistance, one… Read more »
Violence or the threat of violence only works if you’re stronger or it’s properly targeted. Growing up as an Asian in the most segregated city in the U.S., I faced a lot of prejudice. Some of it enforced through violence or the threat of it. We were usually outnumbered as a consequence nearly all Asian boys I grew up with were martial artists or weight lifters or both. You can tell with that last statement, we chose to meet violence with violence and though outnumbered were not outfought. It worked in the sense that those who tried to bully us… Read more »