Why Civil Resistance Works: The Strategic Logic Of Non-Violence

Non-violence is fine as long as it works” (X 3). , Malcolm X said, and according one of Erica Chenoweth's books, it does. Why Civil Resistance Works: The strategic Logic of Nonviolent Conflict, has many statistics to prove it. For example, that of the 323 violent and nonviolent campaigns between 1990 and 2006, the nonviolent protests had higher success rates (Chenoweth 7). This statistic demonstrates how nonviolent methods of protest are more effective. In many ways; more people can practice them, they appeal to people’s emotions, there's less chance of people getting hurt, the list extends forever. However, they would all be great, yet valid, reasons why nonviolence is considerably more effective than violence will ever be.

One example of

For instance, Josephine Baker informs her audience about how she was burned out of her home and treated poorly as a child (Baker CR 99). This is important because it gives an example of one of the many injustices black people back then had to go through. Also, informs the people of both sides, of the age people were when they first experienced an act of injustice first hand, Some, when they were too young to understand it. Martin Luther King Jr also describes this in his “Letter from Birmingham Jail”. He gives very explicit and vivid examples of injustices, like vicious mobs kicking and hurting your mothers and fathers, and drowning you brothers and sisters. Also hate filled policemen pushing, and cursing at your family (King 323). These examples are important because it paints a very realistic picture of the lives and daily routines black people had to go through back then. This picture can aid in people realizing all the wrongs being committed. Also using the word “your” when describing these wrong doings really helps to convince the other black people who are still contemplating on what to do, to join Martin Luther King Jr’s movement. Also, it guides the people against his movement, to really think deeply, and imagine what emotions they would feel if these acts were being committed to their family. To the people they hold dear to their hearts. Therefore the words used in nonviolent methods of protest can be stronger than any blow, punch, bullet, knife, etc. There even strong enough to convince the opposing views. The reason being that they have the capability to control what really determines people’s actions, their