Before you ask yourself how you feel about the diversity of activist tactics, non-violent social action, and related topics, you should nuance your assessments by realizing that violence comes in many forms. Before you declare that you are against all violent tactics, realize that even Jesus was willing to call people out and potentially hurt their feelings, and Gandhi consciously caused great economic harm to the British. Likewise, if you are a proud radical who believes all tactics are on the table and that talking to the police is the worst of all sins, ask yourself if there are exceptions. Unless you are a homicidal serial killer, you will probably identify a line that should never be crossed.
The forms that violence can take are diverse, as
are our attitudes toward violent action. You may be thinking at this point that the type of violence you are
willing to support in the name of improving the world depends a great deal on
context. If so, isn't it most important, within that context, to consider the victim? Part two of this
series will be devoted to the victims of violent activist tactics.
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