Freedom Writer - April 1996 ACTIVIST GUIDE Mel White's soul force Last month the Rev. Mel

Freedom Writer - April 1996

ACTIVIST GUIDE
Mel White's soul force

Last month the Rev. Mel White shared some of his principles 
for activists. While his religious philosophy may not 
be for everyone, we feel many of his ideas are useful 
for activists. White's "soul force" principles come 
directly from the writings of Gandhi and the Rev. Martin 
Luther King, Jr.

13 examples of the soul force principles

We will succeed in our struggle for justice...
_
by refusing to remain silent and inactive in the face 
of injustice.
by believing that God (the Universe, our Higher Power) 
is on the side of justice.
by believing that within everyone (even your worst 
adversary) there is an amazing potential for positive 
change.
by seeing your adversary not as an evil person but 
as a victim of misinformation.
by trying to win your adversary's friendship and understanding.
by speaking the truth in love relentlessly, (without 
half-truth, lie, or exaggeration), trying to persuade 
your adversary on the basis of truth alone.
by attacking the false idea, not the person who holds 
the idea.
by believing that it is as much a moral obligation 
to refuse to cooperate with evil as it is to cooperate 
with good.
by insisting the means must be as pure as the end.
by insisting on non-violence.
by avoiding internal violence of the spirit (hate) 
as well as physical violence.
by accepting and absorbing suffering without retaliation.
by not fearing death.
_

6 sample stages of a soul force action

_
Recommit yourself to the non-violent soul force principles. 
Before you take on any untruth seriously, review the 
"soul force" principles. Recommit yourself and your 
allies to them. Sign a non-violence pledge.
Research. Do not approach your opponent (the source 
of untruth) or the media until you have a carefully 
documented case. Details. Details. Details.
Negotiate. Take your case directly to your adversary. 
Try to settle the matter amicably, outside the public 
arena, but present the truth in love relentlessly.
Educate. If no reconciliation is reached, present your 
carefully documented case to the public through the 
media. Be sure everyone understands both the untruth 
and the truth involved. Continue to negotiate with 
your adversary.
Direct action/confrontation. If your adversary refuses 
to see the truth, escalate the conflict through direct 
non-violent action. Present the truth in love relentlessly.
Reconciliation. Your goal is to bring your adversary 
to an understanding of the truth and create a world 
where you and your adversary can live in peace.
_

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