I think the only choice that will enable us to hold to our vision. . . is one that abandons the concept of naming enemies and adopts a concept familiar to the nonviolent tradition: naming behavior that is oppressive . . .

Barbara Deming

Barbara Deming

Related Quotes

But if institutions of restraint might still be necessary, they should no longer be institutions of punishment at the same time.

— Barbara Deming

After the revolution, when one person injures another, society would concern itself most immediately to give help to the person who has been injured.

— Barbara Deming

After the revolution, surely the only good reason for institutions that could still be called prisons - because they take people and place them under restraint - is this reason: wanting to keep people from harming others.

— Barbara Deming

Vengeance is not the point; change is. But the trouble is that in most people's minds the thought of victory and the thought of punishing the enemy coincide.

— Barbara Deming

Vengeance is not the point; change is. But the trouble is that in most [people's] minds the thought of victory and the thought of punishing the enemy coincide.

— Barbara Deming