Nonviolence and the OWS

We certainly are living in interesting, challenging, and exciting times. One of the issues igniting this excitement is the Occupy Movement. While there is tremendous and lively debate around the Occupy Wall Street movement and whether or not it is having an impact, the very fact that so many are talking about the movement and the issues of economic inequality, corporate domination and take over in politics, and the bailouts of banks at the expense of meeting the basic needs of the most vulnerable, highlights that the movement is indeed having an impact.

For more than five weeks there has been a sustained and elevated conversation within this country and around the world that the current way our country has been doing business is not ultimately sustainable for the vast majority of people on this planet. The cracks in the system have been exposed and it appears that the system is on the verge of breaking and it's up to all of us to shape whether or not we just fill the cracks, as has been done before, or if we imagine and create a just and sustainable system that works for everyone- what Martin Luther King Jr. referred to as the beloved community.

One of my favorite authors and speakers, Marianne Williamson, has been visiting with many Occupy sites around the country sharing with them her perspective how we have ended up here, and ways in which we might choose to move forward. In her most recent talk, which is posted below, she shares her vision of making sure the movement incorporates the principles of nonviolence from King and Gandhi to support a bold, beautiful, and powerful movement of change. A quote that has been circulating around in relation to this movement from Gandhi is "First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win." It appears we are at the "then they fight you" stage. I believe how we collectively respond to this fight will shape what within the next few months and years we will ultimately give birth to as a nation.

For those who are familiar with nonviolent philosophy, Marianne's talk will just be an inspirational refresher. For those newer to the ideas, you're in for a treat--Marianne is a gifted communicator and shares the philosophy beautifully. The principles are posted below in written form as well.

Marianne's talk on OWS

Joint (Gandhi-King) Principles of Nonviolence

“At the center of non-violence is the principle of love”. - M. L. King

- Nonviolence means to honor the inherent worth of every human being. In NV
we naturally seek to understand each other, build friendship and community.

- Nonviolence means believing that our lives are linked together, that what we do impacts the lives of everyone we encounter. That, we are responsible to and for one another. That we can trust one another and work toward the common good.

- Nonviolence means dedicating ourselves to the fundamental rights of every human being (justice, equity, equality).

- Nonviolence is courageously choosing to practice compassion with our adversaries. We oppose injustice, not people.

- Nonviolence means recognizing love as the power of the human spirit to triumph over injustice, inequity, suffering - a true hero’s journey of personal-social change.

Martin Luther King’s Principles of Nonviolence

"The aftermath of violence is tragic bitterness, while the aftermath
of nonviolence is the beloved community." – M.L. King Jr.

1. Nonviolence is a way of life for courageous people.

2. Nonviolence seeks to win friendship and understanding.

3. Nonviolence seeks to defeat injustice, not people.

4. Nonviolence holds that suffering for a cause can educate
and transform.

5. Nonviolence chooses love instead of hate.

6. Nonviolence holds that the universe is on the side of justice
and that right will eventually prevail.