Speak Compassion

In today’s Nonviolence in Action: Joan Baez proves how listening without judgment or agenda can provide a healing source of empathy to those whose need it. I was really moved and inspired by this story as it is a perfect example of what I teac…h people when I share Nonviolent Communication with them. I would encourage you to read the book NVC: A language of Life if you would like to learn to do what Joan Baez was doing in this story.

Sample: From Daily KOS

Last night, four Vietnam veterans protested Joan’s concert in Idaho Falls with signs reading: “JOAN BAEZ - SOLDIERS DON’T KILL BABIES, LIBERALS DO” and “JOAN BAEZ GAVE COMFORT & AID TO OUR ENEMY IN VIETNAM & ENCOURAGED THEM TO KILL AMERICANS!”

Joan was informed that the men were protesting her concert about an hour before it was due to begin and she immediately walked out onto the street to talk to them.  When she approached, one of the first things they said was “We appreciate the work you did on civil rights and women’s rights.”  They wanted to make that point clear.

She listened closely as they discussed their views.  Primarily, they wanted to express the way they felt betrayed by anti-war protesters when they returned from combat.  Joan assured them that she stood by them then and now.  They had mixed reactions as she explained her actual positions and her support for all veterans, across the board.