The most important article BFTF has read in a long time. If you read nothing else on this blog, please read this:
Jonathan Powell : How to talk to terrorists
Some other notes: Recently read a quote, shown below, that seemed to sum up a key point about why non-violent activism is effective.
"When it gets down to having to use violence, then you are playing the system’s game. The establishment will irritate you – pull your beard, flick your face – to make you fight. Because once they’ve got you violent, then they know how to handle you. The only thing they don’t know how to handle is non-violence and humour." This quote is apparently from John Lennon. BFTF mentions that only for reference, the validity of the quote is in its text, not in who first said it.
Jonathan Powell : How to talk to terrorists
Some other notes: Recently read a quote, shown below, that seemed to sum up a key point about why non-violent activism is effective.
"When it gets down to having to use violence, then you are playing the system’s game. The establishment will irritate you – pull your beard, flick your face – to make you fight. Because once they’ve got you violent, then they know how to handle you. The only thing they don’t know how to handle is non-violence and humour." This quote is apparently from John Lennon. BFTF mentions that only for reference, the validity of the quote is in its text, not in who first said it.