Certainly. But of course, when the state has a much higher capability for violence, command of professional martial organizations, mature systems of espionage, infiltration, and surveillance, as well as vast propaganda resources, non-violence is a decent way to start. Not the kind of “non-violence” that takes an Uber to Denny’s after the march – the kind of non-violence that won’t simply “blow over,” but the kind of non-violence that absolutely will not stop until it’s dealt with, one way or the other. Not everyone who goes to a protest needs to be a martyr, but there should be a core of people who believe enough in the cause to put themselves at risk of winding up with a criminal record, a hospital bill, or… worse.
I’m not arguing for pacifism. I just don’t like that people have an idea that non-violent protest is the cowardly, half-hearted strategy of dilettantes and tourists.
Certainly. But of course, when the state has a much higher capability for violence, command of professional martial organizations, mature systems of espionage, infiltration, and surveillance, as well as vast propaganda resources, non-violence is a decent way to start. Not the kind of “non-violence” that takes an Uber to Denny’s after the march – the kind of non-violence that won’t simply “blow over,” but the kind of non-violence that absolutely will not stop until it’s dealt with, one way or the other. Not everyone who goes to a protest needs to be a martyr, but there should be a core of people who believe enough in the cause to put themselves at risk of winding up with a criminal record, a hospital bill, or… worse.
I’m not arguing for pacifism. I just don’t like that people have an idea that non-violent protest is the cowardly, half-hearted strategy of dilettantes and tourists.