On Earth Peace (OEP) is a nonprofit organization that works on helping communities by teaching the discipline of “Kingian Nonviolence (KNV) Conflict Resolution.” OEP spreads knowledge about KNV mainly through workshops aiming to bring personal and societal change. In celebration of Black History Month and as part of the Beloved Community Collective, Elizabethtown College is hosting OEP for a three-series workshop that aims to benefit students, staff, faculty and other Etown community members.
The Beloved Community Collective is Etown’s month-long celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.. The name is inspired by King’s speech delivered at a rally in 1956 after the U.S. Supreme Court decided segregation on the Montgomery bus seats was unconstitutional.
“The end is reconciliation; the end is redemption; the end is the creation of the Beloved Community,” King said at the rally. “It is this type of spirit and this type of love that can transform opponents into friends. It is this type of understanding goodwill that will transform the deep gloom of the old age into the exuberant gladness of the new age. It is this love which will bring about miracles in the hearts of men.”
Kingian Nonviolence is based on King’s principles and explores his legacy through a practical lens. The three workshops aim to focus on different areas of KNV. The first workshop, which occurred on Jan. 25, introduced attendees to the basics of KNV and the six principles. The second workshop, which was on Feb. 5, explored the six steps that allow individuals to put KNV into practice. The third workshop, which will happen on Feb. 23, will introduce attendees to the KNV toolbox and dialectical thinking.
The workshops are guided by two co-facilitators, Dwight Dunston and Ruth Henry. Dunston is a West Philadelphia-based facilitator, hip-hop artist, educator and activist. He is a collaborator with the Anti-Oppression Resource and Training Alliance and is a trainer and Relationship Manager at Lion’s Story, a Philadelphia organization that supports individuals in navigating racially stressful situations. Henry is a Level III trainer in KNV Conflict Resolution and a “socially engaged public artist.” Henry has facilitated workshops all over the U.S., Colombia and Bolivia. Henry’s hip-hop album, Ripple, contains a track for each of the six KNV principles.
The workshops are sponsored by the Office of Diversity, Equity and Belonging. Darcey Mills, Associate Director of Diversity, Equity and Belonging, has long felt that such workshops would be helpful for the Etown community.
“Dr. King’s principles on non-violence offer a powerful framework for addressing issues within our community, promoting understanding, and cultivating a culture of peace,” Mills said. “These webinars provide a unique opportunity for our campus community to not only learn from the legacy of Dr. King but also to actively apply these principles and skills to create positive change.”
The workshop was specifically curated for Etown, making these webinars an important tool to use nonviolence reconciliation in dealing with various situations that members of the Etown community can face on campus. To many members of the community, the KNV toolbox can help them feel comfortable handling conflict, understand the dynamics of conflict, and learn about the skills needed to run successful social campaigns and the ways to reach mutual reconciliation.
“Kingian Nonviolence training is an important step towards fostering a campus environment that values inclusivity, empathy, and constructive dialogue,” Mills said.
The workshops are free and require no prior registration. The link to join the Zoom workshop is sent every week through the Campus News email. Students, staff, faculty, and members of the Etown community are encouraged to learn more using this link: https://www.onearthpeace.org/19_1_2024_kingian_nonviolence_etowncollege
