Nonviolence Training

Yesterday, Kevin and I got to attend a nonviolence training conducted by the Michigan Peace Team and sponsored by MSU's Peace and Justice Studies Program. From their website: Michigan Peace Team is able design nonviolence trainings for groups with a specific focus, and with the days, times and length desired by the group. We offer basic and advanced nonviolence trainings but we also tailor the nonviolence trainings for the group's needs. Our workshops provide participants the knowledge and skill to apply the healing and transforming power of nonviolence to situations of conflict and violence wherever they occur. Workshops are experiential and participatory in nature. Participants learn about nonviolence and empowered peacemaking through exercises and role plays facilitated by our experienced and highly qualified trainers. Goals of Training: Experience the transforming power of nonviolence for oneself and society; Learn about and practice skills for nonviolent peacemaking; Learn of domestic & international violence reduction peacemaking efforts and opportunities for volunteering on projects; Experience working together with others as a peace team. Major components of the Basic Training: Stories of empowerment, from one-on-one conflict situations to small and large peace teams, domestic (such as dealing with hate groups) and international; Theoretical and spiritual (interconnectedness of all humans and the earth) basis of nonviolence; Music and humor; Understanding the Roots of Violence; Theory and practice of Communication skills: (e.g., Active Listening, "I" messages, etc.); Experience of working as teams; Theory and practice of Consensus decision making; Theory of Public Witnessing and Direct Action; Mechanisms for social change; Cultural and racial sensitivity; Practice through role plays, quick decision exercises, hassle lines; Moving forward, forming a local peace team We had delightful role plays protecting PRIDE Week marches and a student protest march...they made me be the "bad guy" both times. I was an angry, Bible-bashing anti-gay preacher at one point; in another role play, I was a cop and had to beat up Kevin. Quite the day. (While the above description may indicate that I practiced violence more than non-violence yesterday, this is not the case...I learned a great deal!)