This Nonviolent Stuff'll Get You Killed: How Guns Made the Civil Rights Movement Possible

In "This Nonviolent Stuff'll Get You Killed: How Guns Made the Civil Rights Movement Possible," Charles E. Cobb Jr. presents a compelling exploration of the less-discussed aspect of the civil rights era—the use of armed self-defense by activists. Published on December 4, 2015, this book delves into the complex interplay between nonviolent principles and the necessity of armed protection in the fight against racial injustice. Through personal anecdotes and historical accounts, Cobb, a seasoned civil rights activist himself, highlights how figures like Martin Luther King Jr. maintained arsenals for self-defense amidst their peaceful protests, challenging the conventional narrative of the movement. This thought-provoking work not only sheds light on the critical role of self-defense in the survival and empowerment of Black communities but also stimulates a reevaluation of the strategies employed in the ongoing struggle for racial and criminal justice reform. Ideal for high school readers, this book encourages critical reflection on the multifaceted approaches to social justice and activism.