I'm keeping most of this off my blog, but one comment on the MLK quote thing. Martin Luther King is often contrasted with Malcolm X, a contemporary for the same cause that advocated a much more radical style of social change. What people often forget is that Malcolm X pursued radicalism in his youth, and after his Hajj he came back a changed man, denouncing the violence (and yes, racism) of his youth because it didn't help anyone. That HE was persuaded by MLK's message speaks of its value.
Non-violence WORKS. It has worked. It creates real, lasting changes. The main weakness of non-violence is...
Well, that some people want to be violent, and want to hurt people. That’s their actual motivation. And thus non-violence is in their way.
That’s the weakness. That we become targets to people who claim to be on our side, but who’s real goal is to hurt people.
