America on the Brink

and learning skills modeled by King, can build important skills that help you to do three things. First, it can help you to reframe questions in constructive ways. Second, it provides ways to redirect hostile energy so you can remain centered and respond appropriately when dialogue breaks down and turns to violence. Third, it enables you to find points of commonality with people posturing themselves in adversarial ways. In the end, composure helps you keep conversations on issues and ideas and not unprincipled and morally problematic practices like insulting individual persons or groups. Conclusion Discernment, humility, and composure are powerful tools we have at our disposal to practice verbal political nonviolence. Yes, nonviolence must be taught and practiced. It is the only way to build up the spiritual muscles and discipline to do the right thing in the face of violence. In the end, there is a way to salvage the way we talk to one another before even more damage is done to this nation, we all love. The way is by turning to Scripture and writings by leaders such as Martin Luther King, Jr. and committing ourselves as leaders and voters to the long process of changing the way we choose to talk with one another. Only then can we overcome the undercurrent of violence long neglected in political discourse today.

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