In some of the greatest and most successful movements in history, a whole lot of people went to jail. Often intentionally in large numbers.
When we look at the campaigns led by King and Gandhi, we typically focus on bravery and the historic actions — lunch counter sit-ins and Salt March to the sea — and non-violence. And that the leaders were both murdered.
But the focus should be on love, because love is the force that makes justice and a better society possible. We don’t talk about it because we don’t believe in the power of love. Love is corny and weak.
For all our talk about justice and democracy and grass roots action, deep down most of us act as if we agree with Mao: political power comes out of the barrel of a gun.
The Saners, our movement to stop climate collapse and build a society based on better values (like love), won’t involve so many people going to jail. Yeah, some will be prosecuted or fined by a confused and desperate establishment, fighting to remain relevant. People will be fined for peaceful actions like distributing flyers posted to telephone polls which, if they said “Lost Dog!” would never get a…
