The Tao of Toolbox (Violence/Non-Violence?) | Mickey Z.

[Tace]

Photo credit: Mickey Z.

Mickey Z. -- World News Trust

March 18, 2014

(To follow is an excerpt from Occupy this Book: Mickey Z. on Activism, which can be ordered here.)

One "debate" that never seems to end centers around the vague concept of "diversity of tactics" - a discussion that fast devolves into a purity pissing match between those who claim to be pacifists and those who claim undying devotion to direct action—with virtually no middle ground.

My take: Debating violence vs. non-violence in today's culture is like debating wetness vs. dryness as you ride the Titanic to the bottom of the ocean.

To all those who identify as pacifists, I submit:

The vast majority of "food" we eat results from unspeakable animal cruelty, environmental devastation, and the use of exploited human labor. This "food" contains toxins and chemicals and pesticides and GMOs that rain violence down upon ourselves and all living things and the system that controls access to such "food" perpetrates the daily - hourly - brutality of poverty. Every single bite you take contains the not-so-hidden ingredient of extreme, lethal violence.

But you practice Ahimsa?

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http://worldnewstrust.com/the-tao-of-toolbox-violence-non-violence-mickey-z

[DonCoquixote]

1. Here is where Mickey is wrong

He uses a cheap analogy of "we would not fail to bring every tool we can in the toolbox." However, what he forgets is that violence, even at it's pure, defensive best, is a tool that can easily hit you on the head, especially as it does not separate Innocents from Criminals.