Like a mythical creature, the pandemic has left us with a trail of debris and chaos. Random violence on the streets and increasing poverty are just two examples. While people speak of fear and worry, some are even returning to the familiar habits of semi-isolation. Fortunately, others have chosen to reimagine the future through Martin Luther King’s and Bernard LaFayette’s work on the six steps to Kingian nonviolence.
Briefly, the six steps are: 1)Information gathering, 2)Education, 3)Personal Commitment, 4)Negotiation, 5) Direct Action and 6) Reconciliation. They are multi layered and not necessarily linear. The core principle is how we care for the whole beloved community. The steps call us to build a unique understanding of the violence we encounter within ourselves, others and institutions.
These principles have been the subject of thoughtful consideration during the pandemic by such authors as Dr. James Kone, Kazu Haga, and Alicia Garza. .
I was introduced to current thinking on Kingian nonviolence at the June conference of Anglican Deacons Canada. The idea of re-igniting the conversation on nonviolence as an antidote to the disintegrating chaos of today was intriguing .
Our keynote speaker was Deacon and activist Christian Harvey. He began with a quote from Rev. Eugene Rivers: “In too many contexts what masquerades as ministry is really maintenance of the status quo. The goal is to reduce the hemorrhaging of members from the church. It’s not really ministry.” Harvey continued, “the ministry of “good works” is really system/institution maintenance.” This is a fundamental challenge to the Christian notion of charity. The belief that we help change lives through food programs, shelter beds etc. is illusory. Those programs tend to maintain the status quo. The argument that “it’s all we can do for now” falls by the wayside when one considers the violence of the institutions on those whose lives they shape. The difficulty is these programs do benefit those who are served. Yet individual circumstances often remain the same or worse.
Creating healthy change is the responsibility of each of us. It is also the work of Deacons, not only to do, but to lead and partner. Our ministry is less concerned with the maintenance of church institutions than with the systemic violence in society. Deacons may be found in board rooms, government, non-profits or simply on the street. They form partnerships and advocate with those on the margins, who are shaped by systemic violence, to work together for change.
S. Popovic writes: “All leaders and governments, no matter where you find them, rely on the same sorts of mechanisms to stay in power, which makes the power more transient than it seems. No power is ever absolute.”
We cannot be hindered by the myth of absolute power. The principles of the Kingian steps arise from a strong position of love and not power. Acknowledging the violence within us and others builds capacity to act. The steps urge us to accept the challenge of love.
For example, love resists violence of the spirit as well as of the body. Nonviolent love is unconditional and unreciprocal. Nonviolent love is active, not passive. Nonviolent love does not sink to the level of the hater. Love for the enemy is how we demonstrate love for ourselves. Love restores community and resists injustice. Nonviolence always chooses to love instead of hate.
If we embrace this love, chaos will recede, institutions will change or cease to exist, and justice will be ensured.
Rev. Canon Nancy Ford, retired Deacon, is an Honorary Assistant at Christ Church Cathedral in Victoria and continues to be involved in community programs
You can read more articles on our interfaith blog, Spiritually Speaking, at https://www.timescolonist.com/blogs/spiritually-speaking
* This article was published in the print edition of the TImes Colonist on Saturday September 21st 2024
