We believe, in fact, that the one act of respect has little force unless matched by the other - in balance with it... The acting out of that dual respect I would name as precisely the source of our power. Barbara Deming actbalancedual share on social
I think the only choice that will enable us to hold to our vision... is one that abandons the concept of naming enemies and adopts a concept familiar to the nonviolent tradition: naming behavior that is oppressive. Barbara Deming abandonadoptbehavior share on social
Think first of the action that is right to take, think later about coping with one's fears. Barbara Deming actioncopefear Change image and share on social
There should be no censorship of mail. Barbara Deming censorshipmail Change image and share on social
Our task, of course, is to transmute the anger that is affliction into the anger that is determination to bring about change. I think, in fact, that one could give that as a definition of revolution. Barbara Deming afflictionangerbring Change image and share on social
Vengeance is not the point; change is. But the trouble is that in most people's minds the thought of victory and the thought of punishing the enemy coincide. Barbara Deming changecoincideenemy Change image and share on social
The longer we listen to one another - with real attention - the more commonality we will find in all our lives. That is, if we are careful to exchange with one another life stories and not simply opinions. Barbara Deming attentioncarefulcommonality share on social
People who attack others need rationalizations for doing so. We undermine those rationalizations. Barbara Deming attackpeoplerationalization Change image and share on social
To resort to power one need not be violent, and to speak to conscience one need not be meek. The most effective action both resorts to power and engages conscience. Barbara Deming actionconscienceeffective Change image and share on social
Nonviolent action does not have to get others to be nice. It can in effect force them to consult their consciences. Barbara Deming actionconscienceconsult Change image and share on social
