"Nonviolent action does not have to get others to be nice. It can in effect force them to consult their consciences"
- Barbara Deming
About this Quote
This quote by Barbara Deming talks to the power of nonviolent action. It recommends that nonviolent action does not have to rely on convincing others to be kind or compassionate. Instead, it can be utilized to compel people to look within themselves and consider their own moral compass. This suggests that nonviolent action can be used to challenge people to think about their own worths and beliefs, and to consider how their actions may be impacting others. It likewise recommends that nonviolent action can be used to produce an area for dialogue and reflection, which can cause meaningful change. Ultimately, this quote speaks to the power of nonviolent action to produce favorable change, even when it may not be invited by those in power.
"Creating the kind of connections between people that lead to collective civic action, political expression, community dialogue, shared cultural experiences"