Nonviolent protests arouse “the dozing conscience,”7 King proclaimed, and awaken shame and guilt in the oppressor.8 King recognized that the powers at work in culture wreak havoc upon both the oppressed and the oppressor. This is why King was focused on standing against the system and not attacking a particular person. If he attempted to attack and undermine a person, he would lose the ability to befriend him. Befriending the oppressor, of course, is central to the way of love (Matt. 5:44).
