Revolutionary Nonviolence: Organizing for Freedom

by James M. Lawson

A persuasive account of the philosophy and power of nonviolence organizing, and a resource for building and sustaining effective social movements.

Despite the rich history of nonviolent philosophy, many people today are unfamiliar with the basic principles and practices of nonviolence––even as these concepts have guided so many direct-action movements to overturn forms of racial apartheid, military and police violence, and dictatorships around the world.  Revolutionary Nonviolence is a crucial resource on the long history of nonviolent philosophy through the teachings of Rev. James M. Lawson Jr., one of the great practitioners of revolution through deliberate and sustained nonviolence. His ongoing work demonstrates how we can overcome violence and oppression through organized direct action, presenting a powerful roadmap for a new generation of activists.
 
Rev. Lawson’s work as a theologian, pastor, and social-change activist has inspired hope and liberation for more than sixty years. To hear and see him speak is to experience the power of the prophetic tradition in the African American and social gospel. In Revolutionary Nonviolence, Michael K. Honey and Kent Wong reflect on Rev. Lawson's talks and dialogues, from his speeches at the Nashville sit-in movement in 1960 to his lectures in the current UCLA curriculum. This volume provides a comprehensive introduction to Rev. Lawson's teachings on how to center nonviolence in successfully organizing for change.

Genres: Nonfiction, Philosophy

160 pages, Hardcover

Published February 1, 2022

Reviews

[Austin Spence · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent, concise synopsis of Rev. Lawson’s immense work throughout the years of nonviolent and faith based organizing. To emulate Emily, I’ll drop my fav quote:

“Nonviolence seeks to recover the use of power so that it enables life and empowers life.”

May it be so.

[Scott Pearson · Rating 5 out of 5]

In hindsight, concepts about nonviolence indeed have proven the most revolutionary ideas from the twentieth century. The century itself was marred by mass violence – two World Wars, communist revolutions, the invention of the atomic bomb, and a Cold War threatening imminent destruction. Yet nonviolence exploited its foothold. Mahatma Ghandi used nonviolence to lead India to independence from the British Empire. Polish protestors used nonviolence to usher in the fall of communism. And civil-rights protestors in the United States used nonviolence to force the destruction of Jim Crow’s oppression. In the latter movement, James Lawson was the leading teacher of those principles, and this book represents the best distillation of his teachings.

Lawson was exposed to principles of nonviolence while a student in college in Ohio. He was sent to prison for a time for not enrolling in the draft for the Korean War. He travelled to India where he saw firsthand the results of Ghandi’s nonviolence. After returning, Dr. Martin Luther King found out about his knowledge, and King strategized to use him in Nashville to replicate the Montgomery bus boycott.

Lawson enrolled at Vanderbilt University’s Divinity School and taught principles of nonviolence to many in the Nashville community. They successfully desegregated downtown Nashville through nonviolent protests. University trustees, however, kicked Lawson out of Vanderbilt for usurping the law; in response, the dean of the Divinity School and eleven faculty resigned in protest. He eventually finished his degree at Boston University and assumed a pastoral position in Tennessee. For the rest of his life, he continued to teach principles of nonviolence to all and involved himself in nonviolent protests for injustices across the world.

Most in the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s used nonviolence as a tool to achieve political ends. A minority’s violence against a majority simply would not work in the American context. For Lawson, though, nonviolence represented a deeper philosophical and religious value. This book describes that value in detail. He grounds the ethic theologically in Jesus Christ’s life and historically in successful protest movements.

Lawson died in 2024 after a long life. Vanderbilt eventually reconciled with him and celebrates their tie to him today. He was acclaimed as the leading evangelist of nonviolence in America. He served as a Methodist minister in Los Angeles and saw no conflict in that pastoral role and his globetrotting activism. This book encapsulates his thought and approach in his own words. It will serve as a guide to future generations. Though no activist, I appreciate seeing how this magnanimous teacher approached life and changed the world.

[carol faynik · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anyone who wants to push for freedom in this country or in the world would benefit from reading Lawson’s book. It behooves us to take in his ideas and strategies, and implement them together as community, resisting on behalf of justice and freedom. Revolutionary nonviolence is probably the only framework for real social, racial, and economic change. The book includes interviews with Lawson, as well as his own writings and a brief biography. He was a pioneer aside Martin Luther King for brave and courageous change in this country. It is an honor to read his words. I highly recommend this book.

[Geoffrey Bateman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Provides a useful overview to Lawson's philosophy and practice of nonviolence. The chapters are transcribed and edited from a series of interviews and talks and dialogues. The second to last discussion between Lawson and Bryan Stevenson is especially interesting, as are some of the earlier chapters on Lawson's definitions of violence and nonviolence and Lawson's steps to take in nonviolent campaigns (based on, but condensed from Gandhi and King).

[Charles Collyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This little book has several great features that I appreciated as a nonviolence educator. There is an informative biography of Jim Lawson by his colleague Kent Wong. There are several talks given by Jim, exemplifying his passionate approach to nonviolence and sprinkled with his thoughtful twists on American problems.

Many of my students get fascinated by Jim Lawson and his role in history. This book helps to fill in some gaps for them, and allows them to get to know him better as a person.

[Ken · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent capsule version of Reverend Lawson’s thought and work. It was my privilege to meet him at Vanderbilt Divinity School back in the early 70’s. He still leads monthly nonviolence seminars at Holman UMC, Los Angeles, which add detail and contemporary information to the brief summary of his work in “Revolutionary Nonviolence.”

[Jessica Zu · Rating 5 out of 5]

absolutely love this book, full of wisdom

[grace :) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Had him as my professor for a course based on this book!! Such an incredible experience

[Gladys · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book about organizing!

[heidi gomez · Rating 5 out of 5]

read for class but i believe everyone should read it!