22 Aug 2022

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Non-violent Campaigns: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

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Introduction 

Among the greatest legal strides for human kind was the legalization of demonstrations and the public expression of outcry in systemic and institutional injustice that affect the members of given societies in the globe. Demonstrations and protests have been a prevalent form of the expression of public opinion pertaining to different matters that affect their state in a wide array of communities and societies across the world ( Cheunkarandee & Rovee, 2017) . Demonstrations and protests often culminated into violent protests and often featured blood loss in addition to having the potential of turning into a revolution. Research points out to the fact that the effectiveness of demonstration tended to be delineated by the extent of blood loss or loss of lives together with the damage that arose from a conflict or a revolution ( Cheunkarandee & Rovee, 2017) . Moreover, these parameters were used by the oppressors and those who protests were staged against to measure the significance of the events together with whether there was a need to address the issues that led to the prevalence of the protests. 

However, research findings continue to indicate that the society begun to consciously make an effort to become more keen on the injustices and damage done to the society by the occurrence of destructive and detrimental events such as riots and violent protests ( Goodwin, 2018) . The loss of lives and property was a social cost that was turning out to be too high for the citizens of the United States amid being a non-efficient mode of the expression of political and social opinions and ideologies. Additionally, more clergy and religious institutions begun to be involved in the political affairs of the state leading to attention being raised to the social injustices that were done against those who lost their lives and property in protests ( Goodwin, 2018) . Among the most prolific leaders and figures of the civil rights movement who promoted the use of protests and public demonstration to protest the institutionalization of racism and segregation with regard to the access to opportunities by black individuals was Martin Luther King Jr. 

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Martin Luther King Jr. gained popularity as a vivid advocate of peaceful protests and the use of love and reason to counter the oppression and hate that had been shown towards the members of the minority races within the United States of America ( Goodwin, 2018) . Martin Luther King vehemently insisted on the fact that evil could not be countered through evil and the use of unjust means that only resulted in more loss, pain and discontent among the members of society ( King Jr, M. L., 2010) . To this extent therefore, he proposed four basic steps for the establishment of non-violent protests by the citizens of the United States of America. These steps include the determination of the existence of injustice, negotiation between relevant parties and individuals, self-purification and education on the concept of non-violence together with the mobilization of community members and taking of direct action. 

Body 

The first and initial step that is vital for any party that intends to hold a peaceful and non-violent campaign according to Martin Luther King Jr. is the ability to identify the nature and level of injustices that has taken place. This is in addition to the social analysis of the impact that this injustice has had on the members of society in addition to the extent of change needed to eliminate the impact of the injustice or situation ( Goodwin, 2018) . This is due to the fact that Martin Luther King JR, defines the degree of injustice as the level to which a given just law or deed aligns with the moral code of the society at that point in time ( Goodwin, 2018) . Research studies delineate that the members of society have formulated systems and structures through which laws are formulated in accordance with the moral laws and values. These codes are the ones that the members of society deem as being vital for the social, economic and political development of that particular community. 

Moreover, scholars recognize the fact that while individuals guide the formulation of just laws by the alignment with the moral and ethical codes of the society, the laws formulated do not always conform to the standards that are set by the members of the society ( Goodwin, 2018) . This is due to the presence of systemic failures and loops in the structures that are put in place to induce efficiency in the formulation of laws and codes of conduct by the members of society. Unjust laws and systems therefore result in the misappropriation together with the unequal distribution of resources among the members of a given society ( King Jr, M. L., 2010) . Additionally, unjust laws have been revealed to create a false feeling of superiority and inferiority where the rights of the minority are trampled upon by the superior ( King Jr, M. L., 2010) . Moreover, the existence of unjust laws is prone to promote the justification for indulgence in vices by those who deem themselves as being superior to the rest of the individuals. 

Identification of injustice during the civil rights movement in the early 1960s largely encompassed the reference to the constitution of the United States which contains the set of laws, rules and regulations that are widely applied in the governance of the United States of America ( Cheunkarandee & Rovee, 2017) . Additionally, the identification of injustice was based upon the set of proclamations and stipulations contained within the declaration of independence of the United States of America which proclaimed the equality of all individuals before Go ( Cook, & Azcona, 2016) d. To this extent therefore, the black community and the minority races in the United States of America were able to identify the fact that the actions and deeds of individuals of European descent in the USA amounted to injustices. 

The systems had imposed and justified unjust laws which broke the proclamations of equality pf individuals and stipulations amounting to the demand for the just treatment of all individuals in addition to the accordance of the appropriate rights and freedoms ( Cheunkarandee & Rovee, 2017) . Identification of the systematic and long-term injustices became a common reference ground for the recognition of the need to mount a resistance to thee detrimental treatment that was accorded to black individuals and the minority in US during the 20t Century. 

Additionally, a critical step in ensuring the success of peaceful protests and demonstrations is the use of negotiation skills to enhance the ability to resolve conflicts amicably with the interests of the aggrieved parties being given priority ( Cook, & Azcona, 2016) . Martin Luther King recognized the fact that negotiation is a critical aspect of the effectiveness of communication and the further resolution of avoidance of conflict through the use of negotiation ( King Jr, M. L., 2010) . For individuals with different social, political or economic ideologies, it is essential to apply listening skills to be able to ensure that both parties are able to address the issues raised by the other parties. Moreover, this provides the parties with a perfect opportunity for the amicable resolution to their conflicts given the fact that researchers indicate that negotiations have been identified as perfect problem solving mediums which induce cost effectiveness to conflict resolution. 

When individuals engage in back and forth communication with the aim and objective to reach a solution, then researchers indicate that a swift and timely solution is more likely to be arrived at as opposed to when individuals work in silence. Negotiations have been proven to be vital in the alleviation of conflict by enabling individuals to freely express their opinions and be able to understand the nature of the grievances that have been leveled against them. This is given the fact that prevalent research findings continue to indicate that ideological or political differences often arise from misunderstanding between individuals ( King Jr, M. L., 2010) . The use of dialogue during the civil rights movement played a critical part in ensuring that the grievances of minority races in the United States were listened to. 

Political leaders, elected officials, religious leaders and leaders of minority communities often staged meetings with the authorities after major protests to discuss the issues that their communities were facing ( Cook, & Azcona, 2016) . Face to face meetings were vital for getting first-hand information that the necessary steps were being taken to ensure that these issues would be addressed in an efficient and time conscious manner. This was in addition to seeing to it that the relevant individuals and parties took the necessary steps to ensure that racism was completely removed from the structures and systems of the United States government ( King Jr, M. L., 2010) . Negotiations can therefore be termed as critical elements of ensuring that non-violent and peaceful protests are upheld ( King Jr, M. L., 2010) . This played a critical role to ensure that authorities and law enforcement officials understand that the solution to the protests was negotiation and peaceful agreement as opposed to the dispersion of protests violently. 

The use of violent means to curb of disperse riots has been revealed to greatly contributing to the culmination of riots and violence in protests that are meant and designed to be peaceful. Individuals should ensure that they have great negotiating power and ability to ensure that they are able to advocate for issues that affect them in a manner that is civilized and that begs for reason and logic from those that oppress them and are unjust to them. 

Prevalent literary findings point out to the essence of a conscious society and a society that recognized the essential nature of the virtue of self-identification. King note that it is critical for the members of society to ensure that they are able to identify the virtues and moral codes that they hold dearest to them. Additionally, it is essential for the members of society to recognize their beliefs and norms pertaining to the relation with other individuals together with the ability to recognize the injustices that exist within the society. 

Through the concept of self-purification, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. emphasized on the need for the members of society to ensure that they are prepared, willing and able to learn and educate others on the need for education on the aspect of non-violence ( Goodwin, 2018) . He emphasized that a community and movement that advanced its notions and ideologies based on love, acceptance and accommodation of other would be far more efficient than a movement based on violence and blood loss ( Cheunkarandee & Rovee, 2017) . To this extent therefore, this concept points to the need for the members of a community seeking to mount peaceful protests to cleanse themselves of any injustices concerning the advancement of their cause. This would ensure that they have the purest of motives and that their aggressors are aware of the lack of ill intent in the objective and course of the group that intends to advance political or social protests. 

The most impactful stage of the organization of peaceful and non-violent campaigns is the use of direct action, which is also the final stage of the 4 stage non-violent campaign that was organized by Martin Luther King Jr ( Stassen & Wittner, 2016) . This entails the decision by the members of the community to take action and go to the streets to implement the call to action by leaders or fellow members of a society who might seek to mount peaceful protests ( Goodwin, 2018) . Taking to the streets has proved to be an effective way of making the presence of aggrieved parties felt by those who are in authority together with the members of the community who enjoy specific privileges in their lives. 

The culmination of rising tensions among those who are being addressed and those who take action has been indicated to be the main cause of dialogue and negotiation among aggrieved parties in a conflict ( Stassen & Wittner, 2016) . Research findings points to the fact that tensions often result in the challenging of tradition in addition to being responsible for the installation of societal change and new societal order. Scholars indicate that tensions have to be present and danger needs to be imminent for change to be inspired among individuals enough to foster peaceful abatement of conflict among the warring parties ( Cheunkarandee & Rovee, 2017) . To this effect therefore, the undertaking of action is a critical aspect of ensuring that individuals within a society are able to express the extent of injustice and breach of moral code of conduct that is impacted within their society. 

During the civil rights movement, various peaceful and non-violent protests were held by groups of individuals who called for the end of a wide myriad of social injustices that continued to affect the members of community who came from minority races in the United States ( Stassen & Wittner, 2016) . The peaceful protests that were held by large groups of individuals from minority races coupled with those of European descent who understood the implications of the movement to counter oppression and segregation proved to be effective. The leaders came out to negotiate with members of communities of the minority races which illustrated the ability of tensions to inspire dialogue. Moreover, the peaceful protests proved to be essential in illustrating the extent of discontent among the black community and the level of mistreatment accorded to them. 

Conclusion 

Demonstrations and protests have been proven to have been a prevalent feature of the past of many nations being used as a medium to advance the feelings of dissatisfaction or mistrust in the public structure, government, or institutions of society ( Stassen & Wittner, 2016) . In the United Sates, prior to the 20 th century demonstrations often culminated into violent protests given the absence of the critical aspects that MLK identified as crucial for a peaceful demonstration. The identification of the issue and injustice is essential as it gives validity and justice to a given cause ( Cooke, 2016) . Moreover, the ability to acquire knowledge on the aspect of injustice and the level of awareness and consciousness of the members of the society is critical for ensuring that the members of society base their cause upon moral and just foundations. 

In addition to this, an additional concept that is vital to acquire is the skill of negotiation and the ability to avoid action by settling the matters amicably through communication between the afflicted parties in the conflict. Additionally, the four step action plan recognizes the vital nature of taking direct action to ensure that the grievances that are raised are heard by the relevant individuals ( Cooke, 2016) . Moreover, this plays a critical role in ensuring that tensions are induced in the conflict to foster focus to the issues raised and the formulation of a solution. To this effect therefore, following Martin Luther King’s four step strategy is likely to result in the successful organization of peaceful protests. 

References 

Cheunkarandee, J., & Rovee, C. (2017). Impact of Nonviolent Movements on Popular Culture.  Journal A2I3R 1 (1). 

Cook, B. L., & Azcona, M. C. (2016).  Strategies for Peace . Lulu. com. 

Cooke, T. (2016).  Martin Luther King Jr . Gareth Stevens Publishing LLLP. 

Goodwin, B. (2018). Martin Luther King, Jr., American Social Educator.  Journal of the Interdenominational Theological Center 4 (2), 7. 

King Jr, M. L. (2010).  Where do we go from here: Chaos or community?  (Vol. 2). Beacon Press. 

Stassen, G. H., & Wittner, L. S. (2016).  Peace Action: Past, Present, and Future . Routledge. 

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