“At the center of non-violence stands the principle of love.”
DR. KING'S PRINCIPLES OF NONVIOLENCE
“I do not think of political power as an end. Neither do I think of economic power as an end. They are ingredients in the objective that we seek in life. And I think that end of that objective is a truly brotherly society, the creation of the Beloved Community.”
“The aftermath of nonviolence is the creation of the beloved community.
The aftermath of nonviolence is redemption.
The aftermath of nonviolence is reconciliation.
The aftermath of violence is emptiness and bitterness.”
The Six Steps of Social Change:
Information Gathering
Education
Personal Commitment
Discussion / Negotiation
Direct Action
Reconciliation
(from The King Center.org)
Principle One:
Nonviolence is a way of life for courageous people.
It is active nonviolent resistance to evil.
It is aggressive spiritually, mentally and emotionally.
Principle Two:
Nonviolence seeks to win friendship and understanding.
The end result of nonviolence is redemption and reconciliation.
The purpose of nonviolence is the creation of the Beloved Community.
Principle Three:
Nonviolence seeks to defeat injustice not people.
Nonviolence recognizes that evildoers are also victims and are not evil people.
The nonviolent resister seeks to defeat evil not people.
Principle Four:
Nonviolence holds that suffering can educate and transform.
Nonviolence accepts suffering without retaliation.
Unearned suffering is redemptive and has tremendous educational and transforming possibilities.
Principle Five:
Nonviolence chooses love instead of hate.
Nonviolence resists violence of the spirit, as well as the body.
Nonviolent love is spontaneous, unmotivated, unselfish and creative.
Principle Six:
Nonviolence believes that the universe is on the side of justice.
The nonviolent resister has deep faith that justice will eventually win.
“Peace is not merely a distant goal that we seek, but a means by which we arrive.”