Violence Redefined x Vishala M.
Photo credit: Josh Hild
How do you define violence?
About two years ago I was having a conversation with my then roommate and his friends/fellow PhD candidates when they asked me this question. The chat stemmed from the discussion of some ‘violent’ protests that were occurring at the time where cars were being set on fire and flipped. I remember taking a very strong stance at the time that violence—any type of violence—was wrong. I remember making the point that there is always the option of peacefully protesting and that if violence was the crime, it couldn’t also be the answer or form of justice. An eye for an eye was just not the way.
“What about a bank being corrupt and stealing from innocent people? What if those affected threw rocks through the windows in protest?”
“Violence. Wrong.”
“What about ….”
Example after example thrown at me, and my answer stayed the same. I remember my face getting hot, my heart rate increasing and tears beginning to form as I drove home the point that as long as there is someone’s well-being at stake; that was violence, and it was never ok…yes, even if it was a violent protest rooted in righteousness and justice.
After all I am a child raised of Hinduism where it is no secret that Ahimsa stands as a tall and steadfast pillar.
Innumerable instances come to mind of Martin Luther King Jr and Mahatma Gandhi being used as fool proof and blatant examples of such peaceful protests triggering change in unjust times.
Fine. Ok. So that’s it then.…but is it?
In the past few days I threw out some examples to myself. “What about an unarmed black man, handcuffed and thrown on the ground, his neck held under the weighted knee of another man. Two others hold his legs held down as he begged for his life and struggled to breathe until he died?”
Violence. Wrong.
“What about numerous black youth wrongfully profiled and killed because of the color of their skin resulting in an entire race whose job as a parent includes preparing children for when…not if, but when they are racially profiled not only by the public, but by law enforcement? One’s basic right to live and be treated as a human, torn away from the moment of conception because of their genetic makeup? ”
Violence. Wrong.
What happens when the system is designed such that these voices that are screaming in protest instead come out as mere whispers? What happens when the only way words of protest are heard is when it’s prefaced with a huge display of action?
That day, I kept being asked to define violence, and the answer was so clear in my mind; when any act results on someone being hurt.
Today I feel drained. I feel ashamed. I feel disappointed that I am not ridden with the same rage and frenzy as those that are currently protesting, setting precincts on fire and flipping cars. I keep asking myself “Does my lack of rage mean I do not empathize enough?” I have been a victim of prejudice and racism myself, but I still don’t feel propelled to act as such. I am not there…so does it mean that I simply do not understand where they are coming from? Is this where I argue that I am just a better human that doesn’t resort to ‘violence’?
No. It means that even as a minority woman, I still possess privilege. I possess non-Black privilege that allows me some comfort of ‘that will not happen to me.’ And I realize that what I do with that privilege could help the voices in that protest to be heard. The MESSAGE of the protest—behind the flames and smoke needs to be heard. There is something about this particular situation, incident, protest, that has overturned in my mind the definition of violence and its appropriateness. There is something about men and women banding together from all walks of life, putting their own safety on the line, risking going to jail, losing their jobs and reputations to say I stand by what is RIGHT, what is JUST, and you WILL listen because this is bigger than me! There is something about this time that seems to resonate.
But what about my faith? If I can now resonate with those that are setting buildings on fire, where do I land morally? As I asked myself this within the past few days, and nights, I seemed to develop visions of the Mahabharata flashing before my eyes. My own consciousness reminded me that when Arjuna was confused about whether to take part in a war, he sought advice from Krishna; the Lord’s Avatar. Krishna’s advice to Arjuna to shed his cowardice and fight the war was in line with a simple practical rule that Krishna Himself followed– treat people the way they deserve to be treated. We can have peace between two groups that desire peace.
If one group is insistent on war, how can you counter that with peace?
War and Peace are two sides of the same coin and we therefore must embrace both, recognizing what is appropriate when. So, when peaceful negotiations are possible, it is inappropriate to fight, but when all options to yield peace have been exhausted, it is inappropriate not to fight.
Now, today, my definition of violence has been improved.
Now, today, it is a time when violence is necessary.
Because now, today, it has become inappropriate not to fight.
“ The Mahabharata is an ancient Indian epic where the main story revolves around two branches of a family - the Pandavas and Kauravas - who, in the Kurukshetra War, battle for the throne of Hastinapura. Interwoven into this narrative are several smaller stories about people dead or living, and philosophical discourses. Including within it the Bhagavad Gita, the Mahabharata is one of the most important texts of ancient Indian, indeed world, literature. ” - Basu, 2016.
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About our author: Vishala was born in a little, lush village in Trinidad, raised in Florida and currently resides in the North East, in the tri-state area. She comes from a lineage of conservative Sanatanist Hindu philosophers yet feels equally as defined by her identity as an American. Her experiences as a granddaughter, a daughter, a sister, a Hindu, a scientist, a teacher, and foray into the corporate world gives her a unique view on life.
follow Vishala on Instagram @protonprincess123