rjn@duke.UUCP (R. James Nusbaum) (09/22/86)
I feel my recent posting on South Africa may have lacked sufficient
explanation. In it I advocated the use of violence by black SA forces.
I would like to add to that posting and perhaps solicit some comment
from the net.
In order for non-violent protest to work I believe those being protested
against must have some basic regard for the lives of those doing the pro-
testing. Non-violent means were successful in the Phillipines because
Marcos' troops were unwilling to fire on unarmed civilians in the final
moments. If Marcos' generals had given the orders to fire and if the
soldiers had obeyed those orders, the Phillipine revolution could have
very well ended right there in a bloody massacre. I contend that in SA
this basic regard for the lives of the black people does not exist. The
SA security forces have shown no hesitation in killing women, children,
fleeing people, and even funeral attendees.
My question is, how can non-violence work in this atmosphere? Can we
expect the blacks to continue to walk like lambs to the slaughter forever?
Does anyone have any examples of non-violent revolution against this kind
of blatant disregard for human rights?
Jim Nusbaum
--
R. James Nusbaum, Duke University Computer Science Department,
Durham NC 27706-2591. Phone (919)684-5110.
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