Coined by Yehudhah Mirsky, a nonviolent moment is a climactic event in a campaign when all of the resistors’ forces are pitted against all of the oppressor’s forces in an open confrontation. The oppressor has two choices: escalate the oppression in a way that is repugnant to the rest of humanity, or back down and concede. Historical examples include the Dharasana Salt Raid during India’s anti-colonial struggle, the EDSA confrontation during the Philippines People Power movement, and Dr. King’s Selma march. Whether or not a nonviolent moment succeeds depends on numerous factors, some of which can be learned and practiced, such as the strategic efficacy of the resistors. However, not all factors are controllable and sometimes you can miscalculate, as in the Tiananmen Square massacre.
Nonviolence Glossary
In an effort to build a common vocabulary and understanding of key terminology often used in the analysis and study of nonviolence, Metta Center is developing a Glossary of Nonviolence Terms. This glossary is largely confined to concepts in the developing theory of nonviolence; only a very few names or place from the history of nonviolence will be found here. For references of this kind emphasizing historical events and people, please see our additional resources section.
In an effort to build a common vocabulary and understanding of key terminology often used in the analysis and study of nonviolence, Metta Center is developing a Glossary of Nonviolence Terms. This glossary is largely confined to concepts in the developing theory of nonviolence; only a very few names or place from the history of nonviolence will be found here. For references of this kind emphasizing historical events and people, please see our additional resources section.
