By Jo Freeman

How to debate a bully? That was the question Tuesday night at the first Presidential debate of 2020. This was not Trump’s first appearance as a schoolyard bully. What was surprising was that he didn’t leave that persona in the closet in favor of wearing one more appealing to a large and diverse audience. Did he choose to act like a bully, or could he just not help himself?

Trump’s need to dominate has made its appearance many times. He created a popular "reality" show around the theme of "You’re Fired." He teargassed demonstrators in order to do a photo-op. He told the mayors of cities with BLM protests to "dominate the streets." On September 29, he exceeded himself. He looked more like he was auditioning to be the dominant male in a baboon tribe than running for President.

The civil rights movement had a lot of experience in confronting bullies, if not exactly debating them. Commissioner Bull Connor and Sheriff Jim Clark put it on the map with their bullying behavior. The response which made them and the ideas they representing look so bad was steely non-violence. Don’t respond in kind, but don’t back down. Don’t beg. Don’t wimper. Don’t move.

Dr. King called it redemptive suffering. That worked in a religious context. In a political context you need a bit more. You need to stand up to a bully without being a mirror. Ultimately, bullies are weaklings who are trying to hide it. Non-violence requires real strength.