Something New

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Civil Rights Movement

Make America Great Again

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“Make America Great Again” was the campaign mantra for president-elect Donald Trump’s campaign. It drew much controversy and conversation. It was a controversial statement for many because of the words “great again”. Some  talk about the greatness of America based on its economic freedoms and military power compared to others countries. Others believe America was never great based on its failure to uphold its constitutional promises of equality and freedom of ALL men.

As an African-American from Selma, Alabama where the scene of the picture on THIS BILLBOARD was taken, I actually agree fully and wholeheartedly that we must make America great again!

Was America great when it massacred the natives of the land? Was America great when it instituted slavery and held blacks as property? Was America great when it treated women as second class citizens with a right to vote? Was America great when it kept blacks from voting? Was America great when it persecuted people for their sexual orientation or identity? Was America great when it persecuted people for their religious beliefs? No, this is not what I mean when I say, let’s make America great again.

THIS BILLBOARD tells the story of what I believe is the true greatness of America.

America was great when citizens stood up against the system that was oppressing them and denying them their  constitutional rights. America was great when commonplace men and women used nonviolent, direct action to change the laws of the land. America was great when citizens refused to accept inequality and injustice towards any person. America was great when citizens would stand up when told to sit down. America was great when citizens would sacrifice their jobs, homes, children, bodies and their lives in hope to see America fulfill its promise of “equality and justice for all.” .

Yes, as I said let’s make America great again!

Your Weekly Principle of Nonviolence

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Principle #2: The Beloved Community is the framework for the future.

The nonviolent concept is an overall effort to achieve a reconciled world by raising the level of relationships among people to a height where justice prevails and persons attain their full human potential.

To learn more about the Principles of Nonviolence, developed by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. during the Civil Rights Movement, schedule a New Way Nonviolence and Conflict Reconciliation Training here!

Who Has the POWER to Create Change?

Contributed by Ronald Smith

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The factory workers’ demonstrations are an excellent example of the power of nonviolence and direct action on creating change! To learn how you can become a nonviolent practitioner, visit our New Way site here!

My personal definition of the word power is the ability or force that brings about effective change. I came to this as I studied the history of successful nonviolent movements and also as I’ve trained individuals in nonviolence.

Each day, I wake up and see more injustices in the world and I wonder who has the ability (power) to bring about effective change. It’s easy to think of certain people, politicians, law enforcement officers, institutions of higher learning, and corporations. If they have such power, do they know that they have it? If they know they have it, why don’t they use it for all people? Do they really have the power it appears they have?

History teaches us who really has the power. The Civil Rights Movement of 1955­-65; the Labor Movement of the 1930’s; the Women’s Rights Movement of 1848­-present; and the Anti-­War Movement of 1965-­73 demonstrate who actually has the ability to bring about effective change.

Politicians must answer to those they represent. Multi­-billion dollar corporations change when consumers take their money elsewhere. Working conditions improve when employees walk out.The people have the power ­­- the factory workers, common citizens, and students. THEY HAVE THE POWER!!

We have cried for years wanting change and have looked to all the wrong places and people. We have failed to see that we are the ones with the power AND responsibility to bring about effective change. We are who we’ve been looking for. We are who we have been waiting on.

It’s our strategic and collective action that builds momentum and creates a movement.

What are you waiting for?

Who are you looking for?

LOOK NO FURTHER! It’s you. It’s me. It’s us.

NA Sneak Peek: The Bridge

Edmund Pettus Bridge

The Edmund Pettus Bridge is the landmark often associated with Bloody Sunday (marchers first attempt at the Selma to Montgomery march), the Selma to Montgomery March and the passing of the 1965 Voting Rights Act. As a New Alternative breaker you’ll learn first hand about Selma’s Civil Rights history-past and present along with an opportunity to walk over the iconic bridge.

Does It Hurt Enough Yet?

Contributed by Ronald Smith

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“The dog howled and complained in pain, but chose to remain seated on the source of its agony.” Check out New Way to learn how to deal with the issues causing you turmoil.

The below adage (or a similar version) may be familiar.

Tom owned a very unusual dog who howled and moaned day and night and night and day nonstop. Sleep deprived and frustrated, his neighbor Jim came over and knocked on Tom’s door. He said, “I have not been able to get a good night’s sleep because of this dog’s continual howling. What is wrong with him?” Tom casually replied that the dog was sitting on a nail. Jim, perplexed, said, “Well, why doesn’t he just get up?” Tom looked at the dog, shrugged his shoulders, and said, “I guess it doesn’t hurt enough yet. When it does, he will move.”

WOW!!! The dog howled and complained in pain, but chose to remain seated on the source of its agony. It seems ridiculous, but we (individually and collectively) can operate this way. For many years, we have felt the pains of inequality. We have felt and seen the injustice. We have watched news roll in of mass shooting after mass shooting (to the tune of more than one per day, on average). And like the dog, we haven’t moved. We’ve complained but failed to take deliberate action against the source of our pain.

Why Don’t We Move?

Sometimes we don’t know what to do. Sometimes we lack fight (or information on how to fight effectively). BUT the truth is, when it hurts enough, we WILL do something. For example, twelve days after Australia’s most horrific mass shooting, residents and the government took action–turning in their guns and enacting stricter gun laws. P.S. It worked. [Read more…] about Does It Hurt Enough Yet?