It’s Time to Stand Up to the Bully

Ramón Del Castillo, PhD

As one of the founders of the César Chávez Peace and Justice Committee of Denver, an avid believer of non-violence in achieving social justice, and currently planning for Denver’s 21^st Annual César Chávez march and celebration, I am personally and profoundly perplexed on the current Russian invasion of Ukraine. I have been devoted to the idea of non-violence—something that I have preached for 40 years and find it difficult as I watch human annihilation, which is antithetical to nonviolence, taking place in the Ukraine. As a journalist and a firm believer in the power of the pen to penetrate and change minds, I am in ethical conflict about commenting on the war—caught in a conundrum with my belief in non-violence and watching human extermination. After examining the theory of the just war and revisiting the work and writing of other nonviolent activists, I hope I have found the common ground to state my case. In my mind, the preservation of human life must always be the ultimate goal.

Ghandi preached that, “My creed of nonviolence is an extremely active force. It has no room for cowardice or even weakness. There is hope for a violent man to be some day nonviolent, but there is none for a coward. I have therefore said more than once in these pages that if we do not know how to defend ourselves, our [families} and our places of worship by the force of suffering, i.e. nonviolence, we must, if we are men [humans] be at least able to defend all these by fighting” (June 16, 1927).

Becoming nonviolent in a violent world is an awesome challenge; something that takes a lifetime. It is fraught with the imperfections that human beings carry as they struggle to find adequate answers to ethical dilemmas.

Let me preface my comments regarding the Russian invasion of Ukraine by stating that a rebellion has begun; therefore, at this point in time, the use of non-violent methods to address the violent atrocities occurring in Ukraine, are seemingly useless at this point in bringing an end to the war. What we can strive for is non-violent protests. Angry, self-determined nations led by dictators will likely not forfeit their arms; unless, there is a payoff. Self- defense against the Russian aggressors, in order to protect families and children and maintain human dignity, seems to be a rational response and perhaps the only method that can be used. I don’t think that sitting idly by and watching death occur is a rational answer. I do believe that believers in nonviolence should never be cowards. Certainly, I hope that authentic peace talks begin soon and that human exploitation seizes—an idea that some may believe is too idealistic.

I don’t think that sitting idly by and watching death occur is a rational answer. I do believe that believers in nonviolence should never be cowards.

Protecting a countries ideology by creating a fictitious victim, then provoking and attacking that invisible enemy, is an act of war. Who are Vladimir Putin’s real enemies? It is any country that is working towards building a democratic nation. Why pick on a nation whose chance at being victorious is zilch? It is rather an erroneous method in the long run. Bullies never gain respect except from other bullies, using methods of fear and intimidation as strategies to control. If bullies, assuming they have insight, don’t develop a healthy human consciousness, insight, and empathy, they are destined to trek along dismal paths, losing respect from others. Those who follow bullies need to stop being followers. If not, they too, will wear the cloak of being a bully. Bullies in positions of power are dangerous. The destruction they leave behind dawdles on for a long time. Putin is orchestrating such a campaign against Ukraine, but is also attempting to send a message to the rest of the world. What might that message be—I am invincible? His thirst for power is insatiable, able to rationalize the destruction of human life at a whim.

Ukraine is a sovereign democratic nation—a choice their electorate made. If an elected political philosophy is imbalanced in a country, let the populace from that nation put it back in balance through their governance structure. No other nation has the right to force an ideology onto its neighbor or determine if what has been legally voted upon is successful. It is an act of false paternalism—in this case, it is another way for Russia to protect its own political philosophy—one that has failed miserably.

Aggressively mistreating defenseless families and children is a rambunctious way of relating to your neighbors. When a peace loving people in a democratic nation are suddenly forced to pack up their bags and vamoose from their country because of an invasion—a pitiless act of violence —it bespeaks of totalitarianism ad infinitum. It is dictatorship at its finest. To invade a nation, destroy its political, social and economic infrastructures; then, replace it with an alternative ideology whose history is filled with failure, is a contradiction.

Nations that have consciously decided to become allies for a country under siege should consider more than just giving people food and clothing. That won’t cut the mustard. Molotov cocktails is a beginning but is no match for tanks and weaponry. Ukrainians can’t take firecrackers to a nuclear battle no matter how much collective spirit they might possess. Supporting nations need to dig deep into their pocketbooks and provide armaments to resolve this merciless assault. The brutal force against state-of-the-art weapons can only be matched with gallantry and weapons that will match those of the aggressor. Russia’s savage assault against the Ukrainians requires international intervention and courage with peace through love as the ultimate outcome. NATO members should use their wherewithal to put a halt to this. Power needs to confront power in a showdown.

In the theory of the just war, one has to justify when it is appropriate to cause harm to others. Saint Augustine tells us that “war [arises] disordered ambitions, but it could be used, in some cases at least, to restrain evil and protect the innocent.” Putin’s decision to invade Ukraine was an inhumane act resulting in people abandoning their sacred homes, with their children hanging at their sides, bewildered, emotionally fearful of the present, and uncertain of tomorrow. His act did not demonstrate bravery; it was simply an act of cowardice. The sadness that will be elicited when this fiasco is over will hover over the Ukraine for a long time. A peaceful resolution must be sought out, agreed upon by all, and adhered to, following this mass destruction. As Pope John Paul stated, “Peace is not just the absence of war. It involves mutual respect and confidence between peoples and nations. It involves collaboration and binding agreements. Like a cathedral, peace must be constructed patiently and with unshakeable faith.”

The scars of war are everlasting, penetrating the deepest part of the soul. Ukraine has a moral obligation to protect its people from the ravages of war. Countries that seek world peace cannot sit on the sideline and watch this demolition. The bully has to go.

Dr. Ramón Del Castillo is an Independent Journalist. © 2-29-2022 Ramón Del Castillo.

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