In acknowledgment of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on Jan. 21, we would like to keep Dr. King’s principles and steps of nonviolence at the forefront of our minds as we enter the new year.
The Institute for Nonviolence Chicago (INVC), READI Chicago’s Austin/West Garfield Park community partner, uses the principles and steps of nonviolence daily to mediate conflicts and achieve reconciliation. INVC’s Tara Dabney said the INVC outreach team consistently discusses Dr. King’s ideas on nonviolence with READI Chicago participants, many of whom have received nonviolence training themselves.
“This is a safe place, a family,” READI Chicago Outreach Manager Samuel Castro said. “When participants go out and use nonviolence in practice and it works, they go out and tell their friends and it spreads.”
Sam cited an example of this, in which READI Chicago participants trained in nonviolence helped INVC negotiate a suspension of hostilities in the area.
“Us talking with them about peace really sticks in their head,” Sam said. “You have to practice what you preach.”
Sam said one vital component of nonviolence and reconciliation is celebrating progress and successes.
“Having a job and receiving therapy in this program, we are seeing real change,” Tara said. “It helps us all to believe the universe is on the side of justice.”
