Writing: Nonviolent Protests By Cesar Chavez

Romanticism Timed Writing “ Nothing good ever comes from violence.” (Martin Luther) The meaning of these words echo many other famous, and successful reformers, and protest leaders throughout history. Martin Luther, Ghandi, Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela, only their situation differs, while their belief in nonviolence stays constant. The influence of these great nonviolent reformers is evident in Chavez’s text, as again another leader looking for change continues the legacy. Central in their beliefs is that all human life is precious, and by taking that which is most precious they delegitimize their own campaign against oppression of any form. Another tier of nonviolent protest echoed in Chavez’s piece is the care for the common people.

Cesar Chavez uses logical reasoning, logos, to explain why nonviolence will always work better than violence when trying to bring about change. This type of reasoning appeals to the audience’s intelligence, daring the reader to think over the logic of the argument, or a specific point in the argument. Chavez explains exactly why violent protests are wrong and why they can only end badly “If we resort to violence, then one of two things will happen: either the violence will be escalated and there will be many injuries and perhaps deaths on both sides, or there will be total demoralization of the workers.”(Chavez lines 17-21). Another point that he highlights later in the piece that resonates deeply, is that violence only creates more violence, a sentiment voiced by many nonviolence activists such as Pope Francis “Violence

Chavez relies on the reader, to understand morally the benefits of nonviolence, and how it provides safety to the protesters and also to those around them. Many times when protests become violent, property is vandalized, people’s homes or businesses damaged for no other reason other than to make a statement, or to get what those who turn to violence think is, for some reason, their right to do. It becomes even more dangerous for the public when the violence erupts in the streets, while protesters might be willing to lay down their lives for their cause it isn’t fair for a common citizen to be injured or killed for a movement they do not support “Who gets killed in the case of violent revolution? The poor, the workers. The people of the land are the ones who give their bodies and don’t really gain much for it.”(Chavez lines 78-81) Chavez condemns violent protest because of this simply stating “However important the struggle is and however much misery, poverty and exploitation exist, we know that it cannot be more important than one human life.” (Chavez lines 37-39). To be honest, what conscience wants the burden of knowing that you caused the death or injury of innocents after your attempts to reform fail, and ultimately your movement is condemned as hopeless, as the people you are fighting simply harden their heart against your cause, and become more and more and