Thanks for all the thoughtful responses, food for thought is exactly what I need.
I'm not a pacifist, I believe everyone has the right to defend themselves from immediate threat.
I'm falling into this category: I empathize with people feeling angry, especially in the face of a ranting racist or misogynist. Wanting to punch someone like that in the face is understandable, and having no legal recourse would be mind-numbingly frustrating. I can't blame someone for taking a swing. However, my empathy does not, and should not overcome my conviction that nonviolent means are not only ethically preferable, they are more effective. If the evidence was that violence is necessary to effect change, I would have to rethink my position, but nonviolent protest has accomplished so much that it's a means that should be exhausted before considering escalating to violence.
I'm not a pacifist, I believe everyone has the right to defend themselves from immediate threat.
I'm falling into this category: I empathize with people feeling angry, especially in the face of a ranting racist or misogynist. Wanting to punch someone like that in the face is understandable, and having no legal recourse would be mind-numbingly frustrating. I can't blame someone for taking a swing. However, my empathy does not, and should not overcome my conviction that nonviolent means are not only ethically preferable, they are more effective. If the evidence was that violence is necessary to effect change, I would have to rethink my position, but nonviolent protest has accomplished so much that it's a means that should be exhausted before considering escalating to violence.
I'm not anti-Christian. I'm anti-stupid.
