"The Psychology of Non Violence", April 1960

Southern Christian Leadership Conference

1960-04

1960-1969

This document for the student conference at Shaw University, explores the psychology behind non-violent resistance, comparing it to the principles of Jiu-jitsu. It describes how non-violence and goodwill can cause an attacker to lose moral balance and feel insecure. The victim's kindness, generosity, and voluntary suffering pull the attacker forward, further destabilizing them. The document emphasizes that violence exhausts the attacker, and the appeals of a non-violent resister appeal to their more decent and kindly motives, creating a conflict within the attacker's personality. The presence of onlookers further affects the attacker's poise and perception of their conduct. The document asserts that when conducted openly, non-violent resistance can garner public support and react against the attacker. It highlights the advantages of the non-violent resister, including moral initiative, self-control, conservation of energy, and sincerity, which is seen as a powerful force. The refusal to use violence is seen as a sign of respect for the assailant's personality and moral integrity. 3 pages.

African Americans--Civil rights
African American student movements
Groups and organizations
African American students
African American universities and colleges

text

application/pdf

archival materialss

Mary Ann Smith Wilson, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson Collection on Student Activism

http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12322/fa:078

Atlanta University Center Robert W. Woodruff Library

Georgia--Atlanta

Mary Ann Smith Wilson

http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12322/auc.078:0363

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