"Violence is never the answer". Until it is...


The rhetoric "violence is never the answer" functions to uphold systems of power, undermines and delegitimizes the resistance of marginalized groups, and is often perpetuated by white, middle class individuals who are generally the furthest removed from experiences of oppression.

This position of privilege demands patience from the oppressed, while ignoring the structural acts of state-led violence (displacement, poverty, police brutality, etc.).

As a white woman, it is not my place to inform marginalized communities how they *should* respond to oppression. As a white woman, it is my place to remain informed of the nuances of such discussions, so that I may not perpetuate similarly harmful or baseless rhetoric.


Examples of Violent Revolutions:

In the U.S.

  • Second Wounded Knee (Utah, 1973)
  • Nat Turner's Rebellion (Virginia, 1831)
  • The Battle of Blair Mountain (West Virginia, 1921)

Globally

• The Haitian Revolution (1791-1804)

"The revolution was the only known slave rebellion in human history that led to the founding of a state which was both free from slavery and ruled by non-whites and former captives."

  • Algerian War of Independence (1954-1962)
  • The Carnation Revolution (1974)


Mostly, "violence is never the answer" has been used by the oppressors of society in response to the oppressed. From the spread of Christianity and Colonialism, to the rich men's wars

If they haven't said it about the Genocide in Gaza, the poisoning of Flint residents, police brutality, ICE activity, hostile architecture, why are they saying it now?

Rejecting binary, polarizing idioms is not the controversial, anarchist statement that the media will make it out to be:

Liberation practices demand us to stay curiously aware of deeply embedded nuances, so much so that, even as pacifists, we question highly praised and regarded thought forms, like "violence is never the answer".

Further reading through the link below:

"The use of violence by rebels during revolutionary upheaval might have a role in preventing future political clapback from the deposed regime..."

" Perhaps the uncomfortable truth is that in the long run, violent revolutions may result in less violence."