For personal reflections and videos from all 40 riders, follow the PBS blog here: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/freedomriders/2011/
You can follow in a variety of ways—by rider, leaders/speakers, location, or day. Each rider on the trip is a superstar in his or her own right, and the unique perspectives will give you a much broader understanding of the ride. Follow, follow, follow, follow!
Diane Nash—Nonviolent resistance & other topics
Three foundations for Ghandi’s nonviolent resistance
1. Truth
2. Love
3. Self-suffering
These three foundations are the basis of the Freedom Rides, lunch counter sit-ins, and other moments of the Civil Rights Movement.
The Freedom Riders from Nashville studied these principles, and instead of calling the movement “nonviolent resistance,” they titled it AGAPIC ENERGY. This philosophy is more than the absence of violence—it is holding onto truth!
AGAPIC ENERGY: based on the Greek term “agape,” which means brotherly love or love of humankind.
Ghandi developed a way of waging war without violence or weapons; practitioners use “love energy,” not violent energy, on the enemy or opposition. Because love is such a powerful emotion, it generates energy!
******PERSONAL COMMENT*******This love is a deeply held philosophical belief that, when embraced, changes the way in which you view other people. It is NOT a cupid/Hallmark/free love surface level type of emotion because it is based on our common humanity and connection
Users of agapic energy are not pacifists. We are activists.
For people who say we don’t have any weapons to fight with because we’re unarmed, that’s false. We have something to fight with too; it is an energy generated by love!
First Principle of AGAPIC LOVE: People are NEVER your enemy!
The enemies are the unjust political systems, unjust economic systems, and ATTITUDES—sexism, racism, homophobia, etc.
Once you believe that people are never your enemy, you can love and respect the person while you attack the attitude and system!
Second Principle of AGAPIC LOVE: Oppression always requires the cooperation of the oppressed.
If you are oppressed, you must figure out how you are participating in the oppression.
Use AGAPIC ENERGY within yourself to RESPECT yourself.
6 Steps in and AGAPIC ENERGY campaign
- Protests say “I do not like what you are doing” to the oppressors, but oftentimes, the oppressors already know that you don’t like what they’re doing. You need more than protests alone (think strategic action).
1. INVESTIGATION: Identify the goal and objective of your campaign. Write it out! The constituency must agree on the goal, and this process often takes time. Gather all of the information that you think you MAY need to bring about change; focus this information on how the oppressed are participating in the oppressive system.
2. EDUCATION: the participants in the campaign must be educated, so that they do not blindly follow leaders.
3. NEGOTIATION: engage in a conversation and clearly state your goals.
a. Make it clear that you respect and love the person you are negotiating with, but you will not tolerate what they are doing.
b. Your opponents will have good points; RECOGNIZE THESE!
4. DEMONSTRATION: hold public events to call the community to pay attention to the problem. (think sit-ins at lunch counters, marches, freedom rides in the 60’s)
5. RESISTANCE: the oppressed remove themselves from the system.
---Do it yourself! Do NOT cooperate anymore! (Ex: Montgomery bus boycotts where people created their own systems of public travel
6. TAKE STEPS SO THAT THE PROBLEM DOESN’T OCCUR AGAIN
a. Institutionalize the educational component
b. Preserve the stories of the struggles against oppression in a museum
c. Create a film
d. Craft stories & narratives that communicate the important information.
Don’t rely on others to make the change. If you don’t have the medium or the ability to bring about the change, CREATE IT yourself!
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