Arsenio Jordan
Dec, 4, 2011
When we look at the theory of Non-Violence adapted by Dr. King we are introduced to many connections. Non-Violence is the practice of resisting violence itself. It is the belief that if you refrain from violence and allow your enemy to hurt you with verbal and physical weapons then you will come out victorious in the battle of putting a stopping halt to the race driven violence inflicted on African-Americans for many years. The main elements of Dr., King's theory of Non-Violence lies within the religion of Christianity and what the Greek defines as mirroring the love of God which is the term Agape. King relied deeply on both of these elements as he incorporated them into his Non-Violent teachings. The people that followed Non-violence would go on to display what they had previously learned by Dr. King during the Montgomery Bus Boycott, the Poor People’s campaign and the Selma march. King's Non-Violence theory was a success with most of the African-American culture because of his references to Christianity and agape. At the same time King used Planned Exposure, mass amounts of black people terribly beaten and not fighting back served as a way to create enough mass-hysteria to raise the eyebrows of society in America. I will use the text A Testament Of Hope Edited by James M. Washington to go into depth of King's Non-Violent theory and explain why it was a success. I will also explain and analyze king's essay titled The Drum Major Instinct which is King's physiological analysis of the need to be praised and to feel like you are better than the next. This feeling is associated with both black and white races which connects to equality.
Dr. King was originally a preacher so he naturally borrowed and used the religious teachings from Christianity as a basis for Non-Violence. In the book A Testament Of Hope Edited by James M. Washington it contains many of Dr. King's writings, speeches and sermons about Non-Violence. Each chapter goes deeper into the theory as King lays out the blueprints to the ingenuity practice of Non-Violence. One essay written by Dr. king called The Most Durable Power discusses the relationship between Christianity and Non-Violence. He states “ Always be sure that you struggle with Christian methods and Christian weapons. Never succumb to the temptation of becoming bitter” (Washington 10). King introduces Non-Violence during a sermon and explains to the people that if they want to be successful in this practice then they must familiarize themselves with the teachings and disciplines of Christianity. In other words before actually going out and displaying acts of Non-Violence you must live,breathe and think like a christian. He uses the word “Struggle” to help African-Americans realize that it will not be easy to resist violence towards you but he assures them that the Christian way is the only option with successful outcomes in the end.
King often speaks about love when he is trying to explain Non-Violence to the public. Although it is not the love that is in relation to romance or loving someone one because they love you, which is defined by the Greek words Eros and Philias. However it is a type of love that the Greeks call Agape, the love of God. King defines Agape in an article titled Nonviolence and Racial Justice which appeared in Christian Century , the Premier Liberal Protestant Journal. as he quotes “ It means understanding, redeeming good will for all men. An over flowing love which seeks nothing in return” (King, Washington pg. 9). King introduces another part to Non-Violence refereeing to Agape and explaining how it does not mean love your enemy sentimentally but to love them the way God loves you. Not liking the actions played out by mankind but loving the person unconditionally no matter how bad they verbally and physically degrade you. It was very hard to win the hearts of the African-American society using the Non-Violent theory but some black urban communities eventually followed him.
The Non-Violence theory used by king was not very popular in its first stages. In fact it took a while before Non-Violence actually became a prominent idea in the minds of African Americans. Black people could not see themselves resisting violence and allowing the whites to physically and verbally harm them. They thought that the only way to win the battle of discrimination and segregation was through violent means. King had to conduct many speeches and sermons to explain Non-Violence in its entirety and elaborate more on this new religious practice. In a trip to the Young Mans Christian Association (YMCA) and the Young Woman’s Christian association (YWCA) from the University of California at Berkeley King was asked to speak to an auditorium full of students about Non-Violence. He admits that it was quite challenging for people to understand that this was the way to decrease and eventually end discrimination and race driven violence. He states “There was always a problem of getting this method over because it didn't make sense to most of the people in the beginning” (King,Washington 12). Remaining Non-violent was a preposterous idea to a lot of blacks and they could not see any other option worthy of success other than using violence in defense or out of anger. Many of them had the impression that practicing Non-Violence was a weak tactic but King assured them they were false. King states “ it is not a method of stagnant passivity and deadening complacency” (King, Washington 12). In other words he is assuring the students that practicing Non-Violence is the most courageous and strongest form of action you could ever attempt. Anybody can result to violence but it takes a well disciplined and strong minded human being to restrain themselves from violent tactics.
King and his movement of Non-Violence did not win the hearts of all blacks nor whites for that matter. However, a large number of African- Americans and some whites eventually gave in because violence only served as a temporary fix if any. It was that moment when a lot black people realized that returning to their ancient principles of violence would most likely result in an endless future of chaos. With that haunting thought recorded into the brains of many black folks from all ages they decided to go out and actually follow through with Non-Violence and practice on the streets of Birmingham, Montgomery and Washington DC. To be more specific King's followers practiced Non-Violence during the Birmingham march, the Montgomery bus-boycott and the Poor people's campaign. Three campaigns conducted by Dr. King using Non-Violence were driven by the many issues of society that needed to be addressed and ended. discrimination segregation and the growing population of poor people became the reason for these movements.
The Montgomery Bus-boycott started in the year 1955 and went and took place in, Montgomery Alabama. It was the arrest of 41 year old Rosa Parks that sparked this campaign after she got on a city bus and sat in the front of the black section. This campaign was created by King and his plan was to hold a Non-Violent boycott against the city buses in Montgomery. Alabama. According to the Web Chronology Project during this boycott “bout 90 percent of the blacks who usually rode the buses joined the boycott and found other means of transportation” (Koeller, David, “the Montgomery Bus Boycott”). The violence then escalated through the streets of Montgomery Alabama after many blacks protested but for the first time African-Americans were not fighting back. They were harassed in the streets by white policemen and arrested. Dr. King was even affected by all of the violence inflicted upon blacks during the Birmingham bus boycott. According to online sources from American Studies Today “ In 1956 a bomb had exploded in King's home, Nearly killing his wife Coretta and baby daughter, Yolanda, yet king had calmed and angry mob of his followers, Urging them to put away their guns” (Ling, Peter, “We Shall Overcome”. This quote illustrates how King was displaying Non-Violence himself during the Montgomery Bus Boycott. Here his home was bombed nearly killing his wife and his daughter and he still chose to refrain from violence. King even successfully prompted an angry mob of some of his followers to put their weapons down and not choose a violent path. while these series of unfortunate events surfaced King and his followers remained Non-Violent and did not try to intimidate or degrade any whites even when they were victims of it. King was very pleased that Non-violence had become successful when he states “ it it morally refreshing to hear five thousand Negroes in Montgomery conclude each mass meeting with “Let us pray that God shall give us strength to remain nonviolent though we may face death” (Washington 80). This is very important because here is proof of King's Non-Violence theory actually working with five thousand Negroes in Montgomery even after the violent circumstances of the Montgomery bus boycott.
Another Campaign that was conducted by King was the Poor People's campaign of 1968. The poor People’s campaign was a movement solely based on the economic issues of society. The irony out of this situation was the fact that there were not only black people suffering economically but white people as well. The rate of destitute had increased tremendously in America and this was the perfect time for King to emphasize proof of equality between blacks and whites.. The plan was to hold a demonstration in Washington, DC where King and his followers would stand by a mall without permission. Still with any of his movements or campaigns he still wanted his followers to practice Non-violence. Even when people were arrested King and his followers refrained from using violence. King states “When the guns of war become a national obsession, social needs inevitably suffer” (Washington 67). King is saying that when the country is obsessed with going to war the people and their needs are neglected. War is definitely a form of violence therefore clashing with King's Non-Violent Poor People's Campaign. What is even more disappointing is the fact that violence had peaked to an all time high with the riots that had broken out. A number of black men were organizing violent based groups to fight back against white people. One of those groups were called the Militant Black Movement. King despised this movement because it became the center of attention. I decided to use a quote from Sociological Viewpoints that explains the way King felt about the Militant Black Movement during the Poor People's Campaign.
It states that, “King was aware of these problems. He was concerned about the media focus n the Militant Black Movement because it raised fears but also became diverted attention away from his theatrical and non violent approach” Bretz, Brenda. “The Poor People's Campaign An Evolution Of the Civil Rights Movement”
Sociological Viewpoints; Spring (2010): p19-25, 7p. This gives you a clear understanding of just how important Non-Violence meant to King.
The Next campaign that King conducted was the Selma march. The Selma march was assembled by King because African-Americans were denied the right to vote. The plan of this march was to lead hundreds of black and white demonstrators from Selma, Alabama to Montgomery. Unfortunately this march would turn out to be one of the most brutal violent acts ever to be witnessed. A quote from the N.P.S. (National Park Service) gives a brief description as to just how brutal the March of Selma was when they state “ six hundred people were attacked by state troopers and mounted deputies dressed in full riot gear”. “The Selma to Montgomery Voting Rights March” nps.gov. Nps, Nd.. Although, the fact that anybody witnessed it was the key to moving into another chapter of Non-Violence. All of the terrible violence of white racism was followed by cameras where the whole nation could witness what blacks struggled with for the longest. Kings followers once again did not retaliate or return any violence towards the white enforcement officers. Here we see that throughout these campaigns king had a plan to purposely exploit the many violent situations of white people brutally beating black people. It was important for the cameras to see these scenarios of violence. It was also important to show white people beating down other white people as if their skin was the same darkish completion as the blacks they practiced Non-Violence with.
Non-Violence worked because it secretly yet publicly exposed race driven violence and discrimination towards blacks. Every time there was a march or a boycott taking place it was the perfect opportunity to display Non-Violence because king knew that the white oppressors couldn't separate themselves from their violent ways. Therefore he would give white oppressors many chances to depict themselves as the most violent and cruel individuals they truly wanted to be. The outcome of that was negative exposure many whites got after these Non-Violent demonstrations. It was a sad conclusion but nonetheless all of these campaigns were a success. The blacks had enough courage and dignity to stick with King's Non-Violent theory even under the most chaotic circumstances while paralyzing their vehement emotions to enforce black power in violent manners. Often that same dignity and pride that paraded inside the souls of African Americans transformed into a certain state of mind and instinct that many African Americans tapped into. It is that feeling that we all get when we want to be popular or wish to receive recognition and some type of attention where we are put in the position to be first. The irony in this type of thinking pattern is that it wasn't just the African-Americans that felt this but the white oppressors followed this same way of thinking.
This form of thinking respectively called The Drum Major Instinct which name was given by Dr. King himself during one of his sermons. The sermon shares that exact title and King explains this human instinct in the most ingenious analytical manner. King introduces The Drum Major Instinct by referring to a religious passage in the bible located in the tenth chapter. It refers to the story of James And John: The sons of Zebedee. In the passage James and John tells Jesus “We would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire” (Washington 259). They are telling Jesus that they want him to fulfill their desire of whatever they request. They then explained in detail what they wanted when they said “ Grant unto us that we may sit one one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand in the glory” (Washington 259). Here James and John are implying that they should share the throne with Jesus . That they desire the same attention and recognition that Jesus had. This is a great example of The Major drum Instinct. It gives us two sons that want attention and praise. The effects of the Drum Major instinct can be explained better if we study it through the means of economic status.
When discussing Economic status in relation The Drum Major Instinct theory you cannot ignore the fact that all humans naturally want the best for themselves. There are many occasions where people even want to do better then others because they want to feel important. Money succeeds at making everybody feel important because we can buy countless things such as new clothes to draw attention towards us. The white oppressors have become obsessed with the Drum Major Instinct and they have found themselves seduced by the idea that they are better than African-Americans because of the white color of their skin and their monetary value in society. This feeling is almost like a high to them and the white oppressors would go to any measures to remain superior, especially through violence. Now if we apply this same instinct to African-Americans it will lead us to a similar conclusion.
The self pity that African Americans felt back in the 1900's when white supremacy violence was on the rise had crippled the Negros strive to survive. Blacks had lost their dignity and were accepting the degradation and torturous treatment. Within these hardships Black people had finally become tired. According to the Article Non-Violence And Racial Justice which is an outline of King's philosophical ideas for Non-Violence, it states that “ A myriad of factors came together to cause the Negro to take a new look at himself” (Washington 6). Black people started to gain their dignity back and self confidence after realizing that God made everyone equal and no race is superior over the other. They took this new found dignity and they became so uplifted and liberated that they themselves tended to violence against the whites. It was not violence accompanied by self defense but a violence that harnessed much of the same level of anger the whites had towards the blacks. The Drum Major instinct theory is shown again here. This brings us to the basic idea of equality.
If both blacks and whites can be seduced by the negative characteristics of The Drum Major Instinct then there is a strong distinction between these two races and equality. It is a very unfortunate similarity but it defines the human race as a whole. All people of all colors are effected by these instincts. King gives another example of this Drum Major instinct during his time spent in jail. He found himself talking to the white wardens and discussing the race problem. The white wardens were very interested in talking about this and they calmly explained why segregation is better. The wardens even discussed where they lived and how much money they made. When it came down to an economic discussion King explained equality to them. King stated “ You ought to be marching with us. Your just as poor as Negros” (Washington 264). King lets them know that they are not as high and mighty as they think they are and that they are suffering economically just like the Negros. King goes on to say “ You are put in the position of supporting your oppressor. Because through prejudice and blindness, you fail to see that the same forces that oppress Negros oppress poor white people” (Washington 264). King explains to the wardens that you are actually being oppressed by your own white race but because you are prejudice you are blind to the fact that me and you are not that different at all. Because your skin is white does not make you anymore superior over blacks because you are suffering economically just like we are.
As it has been shown King's Non-Violence was used to tackle the three major problems of society in America, discrimination, segregation and social economic issues. He created campaigns and boycotts which served as an arena for him and his followers to practice Non-Violence. These campaigns were affected by blacks and whites and in many cases it broke the barrier between segregation and equality. Something that started out as religious teachings and definitions of love have gave King the tools he needed to look deeper into the race driven violence that plagued African-Americans. Non-Violence helped the Negros to do some soul searching and reevaluate themselves again so they could figure out why they were so hated by most whites. King has used Non-violence to exploit white oppression on blacks and has even figured out a way to explain how the mindset of a white oppressor was not to far from the mindset of the Negro and his new found dignity. It is a fact that Non-Violence was a silent weapon used to defeat discrimination and segregation and create equality.
Works Cited
Bretz, Brenda. “The Poor People's Campaign An Evolution Of the Civil Rights Movement”
Sociological Viewpoints; Spring (2010): p19-25, 7p
Koeller, David, “The Montgomery Bus Boycott 1956.”
ThenAgain.com, n.p. n.d. Web. 14 November. 2011
“The Selma to Montgomery Voting Rights March”
nps.gov, n.p. n.d. Web. 16. November. 2011
Washington, James and Martin Luther King. A Testament Of Hope. San Francisco: Harper Collins,
1990. Paperback.
