A persuasive account of the philosophy and power of nonviolence
organizing, and a resource for building and sustaining effective
social movements.
Despite the rich history of nonviolent philosophy, many people today
are unfamiliar with the basic principles and practices of
nonviolence––even as these concepts have guided so many
direct-action movements to overturn forms of racial apartheid,
military and police violence, and dictatorships around the world.
Revolutionary Nonviolence is a crucial resource on the long
history of nonviolent philosophy through the teachings of Rev. James
M. Lawson Jr., one of the great practitioners of revolution through
deliberate and sustained nonviolence. His ongoing work demonstrates
how we can overcome violence and oppression through organized direct
action, presenting a powerful roadmap for a new generation of
activists.
Rev. Lawson’s work as a theologian, pastor, and social-change
activist has inspired hope and liberation for more than sixty years.
To hear and see him speak is to experience the power of the prophetic
tradition in the African American and social gospel. In Revolutionary
Nonviolence, Michael K. Honey and Kent Wong reflect on Rev.
Lawson's talks and dialogues, from his speeches at the Nashville
sit-in movement in 1960 to his lectures in the current UCLA
curriculum. This volume provides a comprehensive introduction to Rev.
Lawson's teachings on how to center nonviolence in successfully
organizing for change.
