Millions of people marching in the streets across the United States and 10,000 – 20,000 marching here in Spokane. The marchers are asking a fundamental question: How do we preserve democracy when so many of our neighbors seem willing to trade it for the promise of security?
It appears that there is a great deal of fear dividing our country in two. Why these fears, what needs to be done, and how can we do it? What do our readers think? What does our community think? What do others think?
This is a three part series. The first part describes the fears and what needs to be done to address them. The second part addresses why Black people should resist the loss of democracy, the third part deals with what needs to be done. Later articles can follow the progress of the Spokane fight for democracy.
The articles discuss various evidence-based approaches to enhance democratic resilience and social cohesion at government, institutional, and individual levels. They highlight the importance of economic interventions, leadership strategies, educational reforms, media responsibility, and personal engagement. The text outlines measures for specific demographic concerns while emphasizing the need for systemic changes and the importance of measuring success. Key factors for success include authenticity, inclusivity, patience, consistency, local focus, and bipartisan support.
Feedback from social media posts and interactions can be used to invite them to remove the fear, save democracy and participate in building a better community they want to live in.
Read the first article in the Fighting Fear series:
SUBSCRIBE: If you want suggestions on what we must do in addition to protesting in the streets, subscribe to 4comculture.com. Go to the top of the sidebar and send us your email address.
Influential Figures in Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Life
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was deeply influenced by several individuals whose ideas, actions, and philosophies shaped his worldview and leadership in the civil rights movement. Here are some of the most notable figures:
Mahatma Gandhi
Gandhi’s philosophy of nonviolent resistance (Satyagraha) profoundly influenced Dr. King. Gandhi’s success in leading India to independence through peaceful civil disobedience inspired King to adopt nonviolence as the cornerstone of the civil rights movement in the United States. King once said, “Gandhi was the guiding light of our technique of nonviolent social change”.
Jesus Christ
As a Baptist minister, King was deeply rooted in Christian theology. He drew inspiration from Jesus’ teachings on love, forgiveness, and turning the other cheek. These principles underpinned his commitment to nonviolence and his belief in the moral power of love to overcome hate.
Henry David Thoreau
Thoreau’s essay Civil Disobedience introduced King to the idea of resisting unjust laws through nonviolent means. King admired Thoreau’s argument that individuals have a moral duty to disobey laws that are unjust.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Emerson’s writings on self-reliance and individualism resonated with King, particularly in his belief that individuals could bring about social change through moral courage and personal responsibility.
Howard Thurman
Thurman, a theologian and mentor to King, emphasized the importance of spirituality in social justice. His book Jesus and the Disinherited provided a theological framework for King’s activism, focusing on the empowerment of oppressed communities.
Benjamin E. Mays
Mays, the president of Morehouse College, was a mentor to King and instilled in him the importance of education, leadership, and moral integrity. Mays’ emphasis on social justice and equality deeply influenced King’s vision for the civil rights movement
A. Philip Randolph
Randolph, a labor leader and civil rights activist, inspired King with his organizational skills and commitment to racial equality. Randolph’s leadership in the March on Washington Movement demonstrated the power of collective action.
Bayard Rustin
Rustin was a key advisor to King and helped him strategize the use of nonviolent protest. Rustin’s organizational skills were instrumental in planning events like the 1963 March on Washington.
Paul Tillich
Tillich, a theologian, influenced King’s understanding of existentialism and the role of faith in addressing social injustice. His writings helped King articulate the moral and spiritual dimensions of the civil rights struggle.
Reinhold Niebuhr
Niebuhr’s philosophy of Christian realism influenced King’s understanding of the complexities of human nature and the necessity of confronting evil through collective action.
10 People Whose Lives Were Changed by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Dr. King’s leadership and vision inspired countless individuals to take action for justice and equality. Here are ten people whose lives were directly influenced by him:
John Lewis
Lewis, a young activist during the civil rights movement, was inspired by King’s leadership and became a prominent figure in the movement. He later served as a U.S. Congressman, continuing King’s legacy of fighting for civil rights.
Rosa Parks
Parks credited King’s leadership and the Montgomery Bus Boycott with giving her the courage to stand up against racial injustice, which sparked the modern civil rights movement.
Andrew Young
Young worked closely with King in the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) and later became a U.S. Congressman, ambassador to the United Nations, and mayor of Atlanta.
James Lawson
Lawson, a key figure in the civil rights movement, was inspired by King’s commitment to nonviolence and became a leading trainer in nonviolent resistance.
Coretta Scott King
As King’s wife, Coretta was deeply influenced by his vision and continued his work after his assassination, becoming a prominent activist for civil rights and peace.
Barack Obama
While Obama was born after the height of the civil rights movement, he often cited King’s work as a source of inspiration for his own journey into public service and his vision for a more inclusive America.
Jesse Jackson
Jackson was a close associate of King and became a prominent civil rights leader in his own right, founding the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition to continue King’s work.
Bernice King
King’s youngest daughter, Bernice, was inspired by her father’s legacy and became a minister and advocate for nonviolence and social justice.
Oprah Winfrey
Winfrey has often spoken about how King’s work paved the way for her success as a Black woman in media and inspired her commitment to philanthropy and social justice.
Nelson Mandela
Mandela, though leading the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa, was inspired by King’s philosophy of nonviolence and his fight against racial oppression.
Dr. King’s influence extended far beyond these individuals, shaping the course of history and inspiring millions worldwide to work for justice, equality, and peace.
DEI (diversity, equity, inclusion) doesn’t affect me.
I’ve got a job.
I’m not an immigrant.
Addressing the question “if it doesn’t affect me directly, why should I care?”, it’s crucial to understand the broader impact of community organizations. Understanding and evaluating community organizations requires a multifaceted approach. By considering their effectiveness, transparency, coalition-building efforts, and legitimacy indicators, you can make informed decisions about which organizations to support and engage with. Remember that while an organization’s impact may not always be immediately apparent to you personally, their work often contributes to broader societal improvements that can benefit everyone in the long term.
When the choice is tyranny or revolution, to keep your head in the sand is to choose tyranny. If you choose revolution the question is nonviolent or violent.
The Scenario
A presidential candidate has won the election and gained control over all branches of government.
The new administration refuses to follow court rulings and historical norms.
Democratic processes and checks and balances have broken down.
The leadership style is modeled after authoritarian regimes like Russia, North Korea, and China.
This situation represents a significant threat to democratic institutions and the rule of law, which are fundamental to a functioning democracy.
Can We Trust This Man?
Options for Grassroots Movements
In such a scenario, grassroots movements and civil society organizations face a critical decision: whether to accept the new regime or to resist. Based on historical examples and research on civil resistance, there are several potential courses of action:
Nonviolent revolutions have endured longer
Nonviolent Revolution
Historically, nonviolent revolutions have been more successful and led to more stable democratic outcomes than violent uprisings. Research by Erica Chenoweth and Maria J. Stephan has shown that nonviolent campaigns are twice as likely to succeed as violent ones.
Strategies for nonviolent revolution could include:
a) Mass Mobilization: Organizing large-scale protests, strikes, and boycotts to demonstrate widespread opposition to the regime. This was effectively used in the Philippines People Power Revolution (1986) and the U.S. Civil Rights Movement (1950s-1960s).
b) Civil Disobedience: Engaging in coordinated acts of nonviolent resistance, such as sit-ins, blockades, or refusal to pay taxes. The Indian Independence Movement led by Mahatma Gandhi successfully employed these tactics.
c) Alternative Institutions: Creating parallel governance structures or “shadow governments” to challenge the legitimacy of the regime and provide essential services to the population.
d) International Solidarity: Appealing to international organizations and foreign governments for support and sanctions against the regime. This strategy was crucial in the South African Anti-Apartheid Movement.
Civic Engagement and Grassroots Organizing
Even in challenging political environments, there are legal and peaceful methods to resist authoritarianism:
a) Stakeholder Engagement: Identifying and mobilizing key stakeholders who can influence the political process.
b) Effective Communication: Using clear, consistent messaging to articulate grievances and demands.
c) Technology and Social Media: Leveraging digital platforms for organizing, information sharing, and mobilizing support.
d) Educational Interventions: Implementing programs to promote civic engagement and democratic values.
e) Building Trust and Relationships: Establishing networks of trust within communities to strengthen resistance efforts.
Seeking International Support
Grassroots movements can appeal to international democratic support systems and diplomatic channels:
a) International Organizations: Engaging with bodies like the UN, OSCE, and International IDEA to highlight democratic backsliding and seek support.
b) Foreign Diplomatic Pressure: Encouraging democratic nations to exert diplomatic pressure on the regime, similar to Sweden’s “Drive for Democracy” initiative.
c) NGO Partnerships: Collaborating with international NGOs like Freedom House to document and publicize human rights violations and democratic erosion.
Violent Revolution as a Last Resort
While violent revolution might seem like an option, it’s important to note that:
Violent uprisings are statistically less likely to succeed than nonviolent movements.
They often lead to prolonged conflict and instability.
Violent revolutions can delegitimize the movement in the eyes of both domestic and international observers.
They may provide justification for increased repression by the regime.
Conclusion
In the face of democratic breakdown and the rise of authoritarianism, grassroots movements have historically been most successful when employing nonviolent strategies. These strategies, combined with effective civic engagement and international support, offer the best chance for restoring democratic norms and institutions.
The choice between accepting tyranny and forming a revolution is a complex one, with significant consequences. However, the historical record suggests that nonviolent revolutions, when well-organized and widely supported, can be effective in challenging even the most entrenched authoritarian regimes.
It’s crucial for grassroots movements to carefully consider their options, build broad coalitions, and maintain a commitment to nonviolent tactics to maximize their chances of success and minimize the risk of further destabilization or violence.
When tyranny and revolution appear to be the choices, which do you think we ought to choose? The choice should be made with deep thought. If you keep your head in the sand and refuse to recognize the current conditions, you have chosen tyranny.
But if you choose revolution the question is nonviolent or violent.
There are mobilizers and there are organizers. The demonstrations you have seen and participated in for George Floyd here and across the globe have been successful mobilization events. What is needed now is grassroot organization.
The map on the left are the communities in Spokane where this discussion needs to take place. Suggestions of what you can do in your community are at this link: Mobilizing to Organizing
Sunday June 7, 2020 started off at 10:30 am with meditation and yoga exercises at the Red Wagon. At 2:00 pm the NAACP had one of the largest outside rallies in Spokane’s history. The tone of this rally was set by Kurtis Robinson, Kiantha Duncan, and Le’Taxione. Kurtis Robinson welcomed a large standing crowd at the Lilac Bowl. Kiantha Duncan followed asking everyone to sit down on the grass and center themselves. She had three messages that she wanted to deliver to three groups of people. She thanked all who showed up to nonviolently express their outrage and disappointment with police brutality throughout the country. If there were those who came looking for trouble with signs with hateful speech, she wanted them to take those signs and sit on them. Then she called upon all law enforcement agents to obey the law and treat all demonstrators with respect and human dignity. My observation was that there were no visible signs of law enforcement. Le’Taxione told the audience that he was not speaking to make anybody feel good, he was there to express his strong objections to brutality and the status quo. But he made it quite clear he and the youth he brought would not allow anybody to hijack this peaceful demonstration. If so, they would be escorted out of town. These photographs bear witness to the unified desire that everyone should receive equal justice.
After your demonstrations at the Red Wagon or City Hall you could:
Ask 5 of your new or trusted friends for their email addresses and mobile phone numbers so you can set up a meeting regularly via Zoom to discuss strategies and planned measurable actions. Assign someone to send information about the measurable actions you plan to info@4comculture.com so they can be shared at the website 4comculture.com. Hopefully when the city opens up and you can have meetings in public places such as coffee shops you will be able to have these discussions face-to-face.
If you can find 4 people that will accompany you to an arterial in your neighborhood each could stand on a corner displaying their signs for an hour or more
Walk up and down the block or cul-de-sac where you live with your sign and handout sharing why you march and what others can do to help. This is something you can do alone.
Stand in front of the house you live in with your sign and have a discussion about why you march with anybody that will join you. Have two socially distant chairs nearby.
Being Black I am always visible! I am asking you to shed your invisibility.
History Lesson On Organizing
Kwame Ture: Converting the Unconscious to Conscious
