Spring Break
Psychology professor selected as interim director of university's Nonviolence Center
Chloe Thompson
Issue date: 4/2/09 Section: News
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The group of people on the wall had one mission: to promote the nonviolence movement, with Bueno de Mesquita as the newest member.
As newly selected interim director of the University of Rhode Island Nonviolence Center, Bueno de Mesquita is aiming to give the center more of a presence on campus, since many do not know the center's mission.
The nonviolence program at URI mainly focuses on the work of King - or a "Kingian" viewpoint - centered on the creation of a "beloved community." In URI's case, this means connecting the family of students and administration in nonviolent conflict resolution.
"[Nonviolence] gives you a framework for the way to live your life," Bueno de Mesquita said. "Every day, we do either engage ... or passively support microagressions. If we don't say no to violence, then we become a part of it."
He added later, "It's the idea where I saw you as my enemy, I now see you as my friend. We're inextricably linked, even to our enemies."
Bueno de Mesquita's appointment comes on the heels of Distinguished Visiting Scholar and former director of the center, Bernard LaFayette Ed.D., ending his residence with the university after nearly a decade of work.
"We develop the leadership so the center will be able to have the capacity to build itself and help as well," LaFayette said in a phone interview. Currently, he is with the Candler School of Theology at Emory University in Atlanta building a nonviolence center.
"Doc" LaFayette said he is still affiliated with URI and plans to attend the center's annual Summer Institute, which teaches participants the principles and methods for nonviolence. He said he is planning "collaborative efforts" with both universities in the future.
"I would like to see the [URI] center help to establish nonviolent courses in all of the other universities and colleges in Rhode Island and the Northeast," LaFayette said.
Bueno de Mesquita said he and others were sad to see LaFayette leave the university, but that he is looking forward to "increasing awareness and having a larger footprint on campus."
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