The Call For Non-Violence

I heard this interview on NPR today http://www.npr.org/2015/05/01/403597684/atlantic-staffer-criticizes-calls-for-nonviolence-in-baltimore with Ta-Nehisi Coates about the call for non-violence.  I do not agree with everything he says, but at the end of the interview, he says if we are calling for non-violence, our legislators, senators, and our President should act consistently with a plan of non-violence.  Participating in war or other violent military actions is in opposition to non-violence.   He acknowledges that violence does bring response, but violence is not something that can be advocated. He says the lives of African-Americans in this country are characterized by violence.  I think that is true. 

He talks about the era of mass incarcerations as being a violent era, and I agree with this.  Putting people in the criminal justice system is putting them in a system of violence: they are subject to violence from other offenders, they are subject to violence from the correctional staff, and they are often perpetrators of violence against correctional staff and other offenders. They are not necessarily taught how to correct or rehabilitate their behaviors. People with drug problems do not get the necessary help towards rehabilitation that they need. They may spend 20 years on a "dry drunk" but when they release from prison, they have no self-awareness or new coping skills to deal with their addiction.

And who is the mastermind that decided that locking up fathers who are delinquent in paying child support will solve the non-payment problem.  So, how can someone who is not paying child support pay child support from prison?  The government has the tool of garnishment.  Would we not do better to train unemployed fathers to prepare them for employment and then garnish their wages at a level that allows the fathers a livable wage?  And teach them  parenting skills along the way. And work with the children's mothers to educate them about the role of a father, which is not just financial support.

Our country is very slow on the uptake regarding some of these things.