Talk about a cornerstone of a philosophy.

Nonviolence is the place where Dr. King's spirituality and political ideas meet in a practical strategy of social change. The bus lines aren't desegregating? Take away their customers. Lunch counters won't serve Black citizens? Make yourself at home in the seats until they do. Racist local governments are outlawing marches and demonstrations against segregation? Guess it's time to fill up those jails.

Nonviolent civil disobedience doesn't aim to defeat the enemy by force; it aims to win the enemy over to one's cause. Instead of forcing people to yield, it persuades people to yield. In the age of mass media, it very well may be the most effective and ethical strategy. The sight of Black marchers and protesters being attacked and beaten by police—and not fighting back—was a powerful thing for Americans to see on their televisions.