Tag Archives: Violence

Trayvon Martin, Looking at the Scene of Violence

With George Zimmerman released, much of the attention on the trial surrounds Florida’s “stand your ground” law and determining who “instigated” the violence. Much of the case is seen to hinge on this question, for, so it is assumed, whoever … Continue reading

Posted in death, politics, race, Uncategorized, violence | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

On Violence: James Cone and Martin Luther King Jr.

In the last post, I quoted James Cone, who had this critique of Martin Luther King Jr.’s perspectives on violence and nonviolent: [Martin Luther King Jr’s] dependence on the analysis of love found in liberal theology and his confidence that … Continue reading

Posted in James Cone, MLK, violence | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

Pacifism and Violence: Two More Thoughts on Why I’m not a Pacifist

I’ve appreciated the feedback and conversations on my previous post on pacifism. Please keep them coming–as I said, I’m not settled where I am but more recognizing where I am not any more (or where I never was). I mentioned … Continue reading

Posted in bonhoeffer, carter, colonialism, death, fanon, levinas, politics, violence | Tagged , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Pacifism and Giving Death: Why I’m No Longer (or Never Was) a Pacifist

In society such as it functions one cannot live without killing, or at least without taking the preliminary steps for the death of someone. Consequently, the important question of the meaning of being is not: why is there something rather … Continue reading

Posted in bonhoeffer, levinas, refugees, violence | Tagged , , , | 17 Comments

Richard Wright, Life and the Threat of Death

To be a slave is to exist under the threat of death, where the master determines when, if, and how one might die. In this situation, the desire to live sustains the bondage. The looming threat of actual death transforms … Continue reading

Posted in Atonement, barth, death, race, religion, Richard Wright, violence | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment