James Lawson

I have officially sat through at least one of all my classes. My night class on Tuesday is entitled "The Nonviolent Struggle" taught by James Lawson. James Lawson was one of the leaders in the Civil Rights movement, particularly in Nashville. He is an older gentleman, white hair, with a very calming presence and an articulate diction. Here is a story that recounts my extreme intimidation in the presence of this man.

After asking us why we took his class, he asked us a series of questions. How many of you have been involved in a picket line? Half the class raises their hands. How many of you have been involved in a social struggle for change that lasts longer than 6 weeks? How many of you have been involved in Civil Disobedience? Three people raise their hands. How many of you have been arrested? No hands. He just looks at us. All I can think is that this man thinks we're a bunch putz's that like the idea on nonviolence but have no experience. Of course, we're sitting in front of man who was arrested for being a conscientious objector during the Korean War.

Later in the class he mentions a certain distinction. Though the authors of the books we will read make a distinction between nonviolence (as ideological) and nonviolent action, James Lawson sees no distinction. Nonviolence is a lifestyle that is not relegated to some distant realm of theory but makes its home in the nests of the practical way living.

I have not been arrested, and my little protest at Olivet against the war can hardly count as Civil Disobedience.