We have a zero-tolerance fighting rule at my school, and my students feel this is unfair. We usually discuss the issue in class at least twice.
The first time is when we discuss reasoning and instinct. Most animals act on instinct, but humans, in theory, should be able to reason. If they are placed in a situation that calls for violence, but they can walk away or talk themselves out of it, they should be proud.
The other is from To Kill Mockingbird. Atticus Finch walks away from Bob Ewell after Bob spits on him. I always have at least one student that inevitably says some version of “I would have punched him,” or “Atticus is a punk.”
I remind them that Atticus understands the repercussions of his actions. Violence is not always the best answer.
But…
Sometimes, maybe it is.
It is hard to tell a group of people to sit down and be peaceful when they have been beaten, killed, and told they are less than for centuries. Peaceful protests are a great way to work within many systems, but as Audre Lorde stated decades ago, “The master’s tools will never dismantle the master’s house.”
We have centuries of history that show change is often just a way to quiet the rowdy while keeping most systems in place. They make a few tweaks, change a few words, or make a few temporary concessions.