Literature of the Black Atlantic

Violence is an expressive behavior that can be traced back to the earliest years of civilization, that has maintained a consistent presence over the years in nearly every culture, and whose theme permeates our history books as well as our myths, stories, and legends. Its manifestation exists on a spectrum, meaning that there are actions, such as the foul of “unnecessary roughness” in a football game, that are considered mildly violent, and actions, such as murder, that are deemed universally as extremely violent. Some acts of violence, such as the behavior used in self-defense, are accepted by our society. Other acts of violence, such as atrocities of 9/11, are so violent that they have been labeled inhumane.

In the Middle Passage, Charles Johnson asserts that all acts of violence, regardless of their degree, should be opposed. While I cannot go so far as to condemn the type of violence present in a competitive sports match, I certainly condemn most other manifestations of violence. Violence, without a doubt, is a vicious cycle. When a child grows up in a physically or verbally abusive household, statistics show that the child will most likely become violent in his or her future relationships. On a grander scale, diplomacy that reacts to bombs with bombs of its own lacks foresight and only engenders greater destruction.

It was recently announced that the campus police force at Stonehill College would be required to carry firearms. I must admit that when I heard this I was a bit unsettled. Though we are told to be wary of our comfort, and of our inclination to suppose that Stonehill is “too small” and “too safe” to be subject to the same horrors that struck Virginia Tech last spring, I still believe that this step is drastic and unnecessary. Quite frankly, I feel that there is no place for firearms on a college campus, even in the “secure” hands of our prudent and well-trained campus police. Call me naïve, but I’m not yet convinced that the possession of guns could deter or alleviate problems among the student population of Stonehill College.

To conclude, I agree with Charles Johnson that violence must be avoided at all costs. Some of the greatest leaders, Mother Theresa, Martin Luther King, and Ghandi, just to name a few, are characterized by their adoption of this same vision, and all of the worst leaders are among those who have rejected it. I would rather strive for the ideal, subject myself to being labeled an idealist, and align myself with the peacemakers than settle for the fear and pain generated by the violence of the peacebreakers.