From Non Violence To Black Power Thomas Merton Summary

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There is no doubt Thomas Merton was an advocate for non-violence. In many of his books, essays, and journals, Merton spends quite some time describing the effects of violence and how non-violence can lead to dialogue. This to Merton is a more effective way of solving issues. Merton was also a man of understanding. He tried to look at issues from both sides, and tried to understand each person’s logic. During the Civil Rights Movement, Merton began to write more on racial injustice. This led him to some publishing issues, and sometimes viewed as a communist. The essay, “From Non-Violence to Black Power” from section three of Faith and Violence was an introduction section where Merton navigates the tensions between Non- Violence and Violence in the case of oppression. In this essay, I will argue how American language, media, and white supporters lead the blacks to react in violent ways.
Merton argues non-violence can be used as a tactic in some cases. During the Civil Rights Movement, blacks used a variety of non-violence strategies like: Montgomery Bus strikes, freedom riders, sits ins. Merton believed this shower, “… and image of Negro dignity, maturity, and integrity…” (p.211) This did not get the blacks nothing but legislation with a lack of enforcement. This is …show more content…
He urges them to,” Let him help poor whites, and let him try to show poor whites that they have much the same problems as the blacks, and that they therefore should not mess with the blacks or oppose them.” Whether you agreed or disagreed with the Black Power movement, no one should get in the way or there fight for justice. Violence was the one thing that got the movement any recognition, and it was the only way they felt they could fight back against the oppressors. The white liberals, gave the illusion of false encouragements, and gave the blacks even more reason to get liberated
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