Wheaton takes new look at nonviolence

"The Power of Nonviolence," a program of events designed to promote awareness of nonviolence and protest among members of the Wheaton community, will take place February 25 to 27.

"Students have played pivotal roles in nonviolent revolutionary movements throughout history, all over the world," says program organizer Adar Cohen '04, Wheaton's coordinator of civic engagement. "Now students are looking to new models for pursuing change. They're refining their strategies, and they're engaging the tactics of nonviolence with great success. Wheaton can be a part of this movement."

Sponsored by the Office of Service, Spirituality and Social Awareness, the program will feature a guest speaker, a documentary film and discussion, an interfaith service and leadership training for students.

Rabia Terri Harris, founder and chair of the Muslim Peace Fellowship, will lead a discussion entitled "Islam, Nonviolence, and Political Change" at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, February 25, in the Cole Memorial Chapel meeting room. The event is open to the public, and refreshments will be served following the discussion.

The Muslim Peace Fellowship (MPF) works to oppose injustice by encouraging a commitment to peace on the part of Muslims. Based in Nyack, New York, the organization strives to "expose the falsehood of the popular stereotype that Islam is a religion that teaches terrorism and violence" and "to reach out to people of other religious traditions in an effort to create mutual understanding, tolerance, and respect," according to the MPF website.

In addition to her leadership in the Muslim Peace Fellowship, Harris has translated several classic Islamic texts and is an activist, educator and writer.

In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., there will be an Interfaith Service in the Cole Memorial Chapel Sanctuary at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, February 26. King's integral leadership in the Civil Rights Movement was fostered by his firm belief in nonviolent action as a tool of social change. The service is open to the public.

On Wednesday, February 27, at 6:30 p.m. there will be a screening of the documentary "A Force More Powerful," narrated by Ben Kingsley. The Emmy-nominated film explores how people throughout the world have leveraged nonviolence as a power against oppression in modern times. A discussion on nonviolent social movements of the past and present will follow. The film and discussion, in Knapton 315, are open to the public.

At the end of the week, Wheaton student leaders will have the opportunity to participate in a social justice leadership workshop in which they will explore ways of integrating social justice commitments into campus programs and initiatives. The workshop is co-sponsored by the Wheaton Initiative for Leadership Learning (WILL).

Cohen hopes the Power of Nonviolence will demonstrate that there are effective yet nonviolent ways to put their convictions into action. "People are outraged by our government's policies, but frustrated by a perceived inability to effect change," he says. "Understanding the dynamics of nonviolence, its principles and its strategies can open lots of options for folks who want to be involved."

Developed by the Office of Service, Spirituality and Social Responsibility, the program is supported by the Office of the President, the Dean of Students' Office, the Office of the Provost and the Marshall Center for Intercultural Learning.