30 Days of Nonviolence
We tend to see physical or verbal violence more easily than what Galtung called 'structural violence' and 'cultural violence'. However, such 'direct violence' does not 'fall out of the blue sky' but is underpinned by the cultural beliefs and values that give legitimacy to direct violence and make it seem like an acceptable behavior. This is also often reflected in the social structures of society that actually allow for, create or support direct violence.
For example, think of sexist beliefs (cultural violence), and how these are reflected in the policies and laws of a country, resulting in a particular act of violence against a person of a minority identity, such as harassment. We only see the harassment, while the cultural and structural violence are much more 'hidden from view'.
1. Go deeper: Read more about Galtung's theory here.
AND:
Listen to or read this interview with Emily May on the 5Ds of bystander intervention and tools for addressing street harassment.
OR
2. Practice: When you perceive direct violence either as a witness of a certain incident or perhaps by reading the news, think of the cultural and structural underpinnings. Write down your thoughts. Then think of what a nonviolent response really requires. We can intervene in a nonviolent way, changing a particular incident we witnessed. BUT, if we can address the cultural and structural violence related to the incident, then we really transform our world in the direction of nonviolence.