Are You Brave Enough to Be Non-Violent?

Things like the young Kenosha shooter and the ambushing of police officers happen (and will continue to happen) partly because most of us (left and right) would rather get in a good zinger than use language that is absent of violence. We would also rather chuckle at our friends’ violent rhetoric than challenge them to speak non-violently.

What am I talking about?

Here’s a sampling of a few violence-promoting or violence-defending phrases and actions I’ve seen lately:

Sharing a violent meme.

Saying, “F*ck that guy.”

Saying, “Play stupid games, win stupid prizes.”

Saying, “He got what he deserved.”

Saying, “Someone punch her.”

Saying, “When the looting starts the shooting starts.”

Saying, “Eat the rich” (Even if you claim to mean it metaphorically)

Referring to guillotines as a solution… (as if the Reign of Terror wasn’t one of the darkest moments in modern history…)

All of these types of interactions are based in and promote violence as a solution. They normalize it. They call for it. (Yes, even if you are joking.)

I know many will deny it (just like some people deny racism exists) but we are all complicit in the perpetuation of violence when we tacitly or actively support this kind of language and these kinds of interactions.

You support it with your shares, with your likes, with your “laugh” emoji…

Are you brave enough to stop threatening and promoting violence? Or are you so weak you need the bluster of violent words to bluff yourself and others into thinking you are brave?

Committing to non-violence takes bravery. Committing violence (or promoting it) doesn’t require bravery. That’s why “I feared for my life” is the standard defense for committing violence.

If you are brave enough, take a stand by having the courage to reject violent rhetoric, language, and yes, even memes as a part of your political discourse. And remember that this means calling out your OWN tribe on violent talk not just the other side. Calling out the other side doesn’t really count or make a difference. It is when we challenge our own tribe that change can happen.