AUDIO: Amid Gaza protests and sharp rhetoric, a conversation about nonviolence
Jul 1, 2024
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Dive into the complexities of nonviolent movements amidst global conflicts. Explore the impact of Occupy Wall Street and the intersection of activism with electoral politics. Discuss tactics in nonviolent movements, political dynamics in Israel-Palestine, and analyze the eight-stage chart for movement success.
Nonviolent movements are twice as effective as armed struggle, leading to real and lasting change.
Journalism and storytelling play a crucial role in empowering others to take action against injustices.
WagingNonviolence.org focuses on exploring strategies and tactics of social change movements.
Deep dives
Effectiveness of Nonviolent Movements
Nonviolent movements are shown to be about twice as effective as armed struggle in achieving their goals, even in extreme situations. The strategic use of nonviolence often leads to real and lasting change, planting democratic seeds that can flourish later.
Role of Journalism in Social Change
Journalism and storytelling play a significant role in changing perspectives and building a better world. Through reporting on nonviolent social movements and highlighting successful approaches, media can empower others to take action against injustices.
Focus on the 'How' in Covering Movements
The nonprofit news website WagingNonviolence.org focuses on the 'how' of movements, exploring the strategies and tactics behind social change efforts. By examining the nitty-gritty details and lessons learned from various movements, the platform aims to empower others to take effective action.
Nonviolent Activism and Support for Ceasefire
The podcast discusses the current mass movement advocating for ceasefire and divestment in the Middle East, emphasizing nonviolent approaches despite attempts to portray the movement negatively. The historical context of nonviolent struggles in Palestine is highlighted, with previous movements leading to significant impacts like the Oslo Accords. The generational shift towards questioning traditional support for Israel and the importance of strategic divestment actions are also underscored in shaping the ongoing movement dynamics.
Strategic Divestment Movements and Impact
The episode delves into the history and effectiveness of divestment movements, tracing back to campaigns during the Vietnam War and apartheid in South Africa. The strategy of divestment is viewed as a tool to raise awareness and challenge the social acceptance of certain practices. Emphasizing the significance of divestment as a part of a broader movement, the podcast links the current advocacy for divestment from defense contractors to a call from Palestinian civil society groups for international support in achieving rights and freedom.
Amid brutal wars in Gaza, Ukraine, and Sudan, and violence and instability in western Africa, Myanmar, and elsewhere, it seems like a good time to talk about nonviolence.
It’s an interesting and opportune time to explore this subject: The protests calling for a ceasefire in Gaza have raised issues and created complexities in our discourse about the Middle East, antisemitism, war and violence, and justice and human rights.
That’s certainly been true in the Berkshires, as nonviolent rallies held here in the days after the Hamas terrorist attack, and since, have sometimes used rhetoric cheering that violence as an acceptable response to the plight of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank.
To discuss all of this, last month Berkshire Argus Editor Bill Shein spoke with Eric Stoner, an activist, writer, and journalist who is co-founder and editor of Waging Nonviolence, a nonprofit news website that has, for a decade and a half, provided original news reporting and analysis of nonviolent social movements around the world.
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