Fighting with non-violence | Scilla Elworthy

Summary

The speaker reflects on dealing with extreme violence and oppression without using force, emphasizing non-violent resistance. Through personal experiences and historical examples like Nelson Mandela, Aung San Suu Kyi, and Gene Sharp, the speaker highlights how fear, anger, and oppression can be transformed into inner power and resolve. Methods such as self-awareness, managing emotions, and collective action are essential for effective non-violent change. The shift from top-down to grassroots power is key, and the speaker believes that ordinary people, through non-violence, can end oppression and foster global peace.

Takeaways

• 🤔 The main question explored: How do we deal with extreme violence without using force in return?
• 👊 Violence and oppression operate through political, physical, and emotional means, but counter-violence rarely works.
• ✊ Nelson Mandela is highlighted as a leader who transitioned from supporting violence to mastering non-violent resistance, transforming a brutal regime into a democracy.
• 💡 Inner change is key: The speaker emphasizes the importance of self-knowledge and internal strength in resisting oppression effectively.
• 🧘 Meditation and self-awareness help individuals manage fear and avoid destructive responses to aggression.
• ⚡ Anger, if controlled and channeled effectively, can be a powerful motivator for change, rather than a destructive force.
• 🌍 A global shift from top-down power to grassroots, people-driven movements is becoming more prevalent and effective in promoting change.
• 🤝 Local communities often know best how to deal with conflict and violence in their areas, as seen in Peace Direct's support for local peace initiatives.
• ⚔️ Non-violent resistance is often more effective than violence in addressing oppression, as demonstrated by successful revolutions in many countries over the past decades.
• 📘 Gene Sharp’s book 'From Dictatorship to Democracy' provides practical, non-violent methods for resistance, inspiring movements worldwide.

Q & A

What is the central question that the speaker has been trying to address for half a century?

The central question is: 'How do we deal with extreme violence without using force in return?'

What childhood event left a lasting impression on the speaker regarding violence and oppression?

The event was watching Soviet tanks roll into Budapest on television and seeing kids throwing themselves at the tanks, which moved the speaker deeply and led them to want to help.

What three types of violence do bullies use, according to the speaker?

Bullies use political violence to intimidate, physical violence to terrorize, and mental or emotional violence to undermine.

How did Nelson Mandela's approach to violence change over time?

Nelson Mandela initially believed in using violence, but after 27 years in jail, he and his colleagues developed incredible skills and a total devotion to non-violence, which ultimately helped turn South Africa into a democracy.

What is one of the methods the speaker suggests is essential for combating violence?

One essential method is self-knowledge, which helps individuals understand their reactions to oppression and develop inner power to resist without violence.

How did Aung San Suu Kyi demonstrate mastery over fear during a protest in Burma?

When faced with soldiers holding machine guns, Aung San Suu Kyi instructed the students to sit down and walked forward with calm and clarity. She lowered the gun of the first soldier, diffusing the situation without violence.

What is the speaker's approach to dealing with fear, particularly in intense moments?

The speaker suggests sitting down with fear, treating it like a child, asking it what it needs, and making a plan to address the issue calmly.

How does the speaker compare anger to gasoline, and how can it be used effectively?

Anger is compared to gasoline: if sprayed around, it can cause an inferno, but if put into an engine, it can be powerful and drive people forward. The key is to use anger as fuel without letting it turn into destructive violence.

What shift in power dynamics does the speaker believe is occurring in the 21st century?

The speaker believes power is shifting from top-down government control to bottom-up or grassroots movements, where people join forces to bring about change.

What practical example does the speaker give of non-violence being effective in a military context?

The speaker shares the story of U.S. Lieutenant Colonel Chris Hughes, who defused a dangerous situation in Najaf, Iraq, by having his troops kneel in front of an angry crowd, which led to peace without any violence.

How does the speaker explain the collapse of numerous dictatorships over the last 30 years?

The speaker attributes the collapse of dictatorships to non-violent resistance methods, inspired by Gene Sharp's book 'From Dictatorship to Democracy,' which outlines 81 methodologies for non-violent action.

What gives the speaker hope about the future of non-violent resistance?

The speaker feels hopeful because practical, effective methods for non-violent resistance are spreading, and ordinary people are successfully using these techniques to bring about change.