Faith in Action: How Christianity and Hinduism influenced the Nashville sit-ins and James Lawson

Publication Date

Spring 2-27-2025

College

Interdisciplinary Studies & Global Education

Department

Honors Program

Student Level

Undergraduate

SPARK Category

Scholarship

Faculty Advisor

Mary Ellen Pethel

SPARK Session

Poster: Belmont Social Justice Collaborative

Presentation Type

Poster

Summary

The public memory of nonviolent resistance is often centered on figures such as Martin Luther King Jr. and John Lewis, while James Jawson’s contributions remain equally transformative. Lawson, a Methodist minister, civil rights strategist, and educator, was a pioneer in nonviolent conflict resolution, blending moral philosophy with action to address systemic injustice. His conflict mediation trainings and speeches played a crucial role in shaping nonviolent resistance movements, emphasizing preparation, discipline, and a commitment to long-term societal transformation and viewing opponents as capable of change. Lawson championed the power of nonviolence as a means to dismantle systems of oppression and create paths to justice and equality. As the driving force behind nonviolent training workshops during the Nashville sit-ins, and other pivotal civil rights campaigns, Lawson’s teachings empowered activists to challenge injustice through deliberate and organized efforts, not only shaping the civil rights movement but also influencing conflict transformation practices more globally.

Despite facing pushback, including expulsion from Vanderbilt University, Lawson’s legacy has grown over time. Institutions, including Vanderbilt themselves, now honor his contributions and his principles continue to guide modern social justice movements. My research aims to explore the foundational principles and lasting impact of Lawson’s contributions to conflict mediation by focusing on the various religious influences that influenced his position.

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