Is violence the only way to acquire civil rights?

Question

There is not one single case when a group of people were granted equal rights just out of a sense of justice, or because of "peaceful resistance." In every case there was violence and the threat of more violence.

Considering it's human nature not to give up on one's group privileges, isn't it accurate to say that the only way to produce real change is through violent methods?

Answer 1

I've pundered this same question on a few occasions. I don't think it is the only way, however it is part of the equation. Usually gaining civil rights is a journey and along the way your bound to have a couple of "rough" patches. I think that use of non violent measures should be priority and secondary. However as a third option, human nature will eventually kick in right.

Answer 2

Violence has never achieved any civil rights.Those who commit violence for their own cause never secede. They might become the victor but people are only scared of them and never believe their agenda. Never in history has violence achieved a success. History shows the Crusaders and their Muslim counter parts, anarchists, communists, Nazis and jihadists, and many other movements have never had a long term results. In societies where they won the war they and their philosophies are overthrown. It is human nature to be free.

Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Christ, etc. has left a more profound and lasting legacy through non violent means. .

Answer 3

My opinion is that violence is necessary to get the oppressor's attention, and then more peaceful means are necessary to get the oppressor's respect.

This is proven by the fact that every civil rights movement began with violence and extreme radicalism (ie Malcolm X, Cesar Chavez, Betty Friedan/Gloria Steinem, the original gay pride parades) and gained respect with more peaceful means (ie Dr. King, everyday Blacks, Latinos and women acquiring positions in education, business, and politics, and positive lesbian role models such as Martina Navritolova, Melissa Etheridge, Ellen, and Rosie -- sorry can't think of any gay male role models that straight people respect).

Answer 4

In my opinion there are probably ways to acquire civil rights without violence. But does anyone even follow this. Some people think that it is easier to fight than to just work things out. There is a reason why there is so much hate in t his world.

Answer 5

It is best to acquire rights of a civil nature in a civil manner. Violence is an option but it is not the only option.

Answer 6

the rights the lefts the rights where is this going, rights come and go but attitudes stay and they cause issues to stay and it locks up feelings of hopelessness and that in turn get violent.. mostly life just leaves just like America it just isn't here anymore. the jobs are gone the boys want to fight it out in the middle east til the next election so this leaves the world with out a leader with out focus in the fast paces of doom that rides on horses of the apocalypse

Answer 7

Violence these days will only acquire you one thing...

Jail time...

If you want to change the law... you need the majority of people to ask for it. You have a chance to do that at every election. That is what elections are for.

Answer 8

The violence came from the people that resisted change, not the people that wanted it.

Answer 9

No. Ghandi. Martin Luther King.

Answer 10

The methods of the past do not give credence to the methods that may be used in the future.