Our Model and Framework
Nonviolence begins with individual behavior and study
We encourage those we work with and train to make nonviolence a way of life and we believe that with each individual we touch, we move a step closer to building Our Beloved Healthy Community. Our model is framed by the four components of the Beloved Healthy Community: Educate, Console/Grieve, Sustain, and Celebrate. We apply these components to ourselves, our clients, and our community.
Beloved Community components
Celebrate
A community that amuses itself is a community that is creative. Seeing positive aspects of community allows people to think of positive possibilities. It allows people to alleviate stress and reflect on what is good in their lives.
Educate
A community that educates itself is a community that is informed and engaged. Components of education are many - safe, supported schools, regular passing-on of local knowledge and lore, and the sharing of history within a community.
Console
A community that grieves together is empathetic, sympathetic, and connected in constructive ways. We must be able to grieve positively and support positively and with consistency.
Sustain
A community that sustains itself is thriving, and able to nourish optimism and joy in its members. It is one that allows for its members to have equal access to economic opportunities to leverage resources for the benefit of the entire community.
The Principles
1
Nonviolence is not for cowards
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Nonviolence is active and requires courage.
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Nonviolence challenges our physical, spiritual, and emotional selves.
2
The Beloved Community is the goal of nonviolence
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Nonviolence gathers friends and creates reconciliation.
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Nonviolent resistance grows the Beloved Community.
3
Nonviolence attacks the forces of evil, not the persons doing evil
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Nonviolence considers the perspectives of all people.
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Nonviolence seeks to right wrongs, not persecute people.
4
Nonviolence holds that we should accept suffering without retaliation for the sake of the cause
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Nonviolence holds that we learn from suffering and use it to educate and to transform ourselves and others.
5
Nonviolence asks us to avoid internal violence of the spirit, as well as external physical violence
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Nonviolence encourages
us to nurture our spirits alongside our bodies. -
Nonviolence encourages
us to love ourselves and others, even when it is difficult to do so.
6
Nonviolence holds that the universe is on the side of justice
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Nonviolence encourages faith that justice will rule in the end.
The Steps
1
Gather information
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Learn all you can about problems facing you and your community.
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Learn through media, history, and most importantly, conversation with others.
2
Educate others
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Help those around you better understand the issues facing your community.
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Build a team of people devoted to finding solutions.
3
Strengthen committment
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Accept that you will face challenges and obstacles as you work toward change.
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Agree to encourage and inspire one another along the journey.
4
Negotiate with diginity for all
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Talk to all sides: those hurt by societal ills and those who may contribute to them, whether directly or indirectly.
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Use humor, intelligence, and grace to lead to solutions for the greater good.
5
If negotiation fails, take appropriate action, negotiate again
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Demonstrate. Write letters. Pass petitions. Canvass door-to-door.
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These practices are often used when negotiation fails or to draw greater attention to an issue or problem.
6
Always reconcile and always celebrate reconciliation
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Keep all negotiations peaceful and constructive.
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Agree to disagree when necessary.
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Show all involved the benefit to the greater good of change, not what they give up by changing.