Movie Reviews: Pray the Devil Back to Hell |
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A Timed Analysis
You may wish to view the film once through without pause simply to be inspired. But upon further viewing as a "how to" guide, take time to pause and reflect at places where what is happening illustrates some general principle of either nonviolent action, or what in considered an important principle for waging any positive campaign for social transformation, including as will be mentioned, a campaign to abolish war. This 72 minute documentary film is a recent (2003), real-life example of the use of nonviolent struggle to bring about a major, positive social transformation. This story of the Liberian women's campaign has been preserved for us by Abigail Disney and Gini Reticker. The time stamps listed are for the 72 minute home version of the film. For more information about the film see forkfilms.com/pray-the-devil-back-to-hell/.
“Pray the Devil Back to Hell” is the story of how an entire country went from madness to sanity, prodded by women who would not be denied. It’s a marvelous documentary detailing how the everyday became extraordinary, “how ordinary women,” in the words of one of them, “did the unimaginable.” Kenneth Turan, read the full LA Times movie review
Time: Pause at this Event
What Best Practice It Illustrates
1.09: About Film Director and Producer
Had it not been for Abigail Disney fortuitously visiting Liberia and Producer learning about this wonderful women's accomplishment, this story would have died a quiet death, as so credits many credits. Women's accomplishments sadly do. But Disney resolved to make sure the world knew what the women of Liberia, working together, won for their people.
What Best Practice It Illustrates
1.09: About Film Director and Producer
Had it not been for Abigail Disney fortuitously visiting Liberia and Producer learning about this wonderful women's accomplishment, this story would have died a quiet death, as so credits many credits. Women's accomplishments sadly do. But Disney resolved to make sure the world knew what the women of Liberia, working together, won for their people.
7.0 Taylor has his private army...called anti-terrorist unit.
Nonviolent struggle can be waged for many reasons and under many conditions. Some conditions are more difficult than others. Liberia was a difficult situation…a terrible civil war and a brutal dictator with a brutal army. But there were also positive factors that provided reason to think the women might succeed: e.g., Liberia was in theory a democracy, so they had a history of voting to remember and call on. There were some educated women, like the social worker Lehmah Gbowee and the police officer we soon meet, Asatu Kenneth, and the radio personality who helped mobilize the media, and the journalist. This was a struggle that, although extremely difficult, was reasonable to wage because it had a realistic chance of being won. Rule for successful struggle (taken from Sun Tzu's Art of War): don't fight battles you know you can't win.
Nonviolent struggle can be waged for many reasons and under many conditions. Some conditions are more difficult than others. Liberia was a difficult situation…a terrible civil war and a brutal dictator with a brutal army. But there were also positive factors that provided reason to think the women might succeed: e.g., Liberia was in theory a democracy, so they had a history of voting to remember and call on. There were some educated women, like the social worker Lehmah Gbowee and the police officer we soon meet, Asatu Kenneth, and the radio personality who helped mobilize the media, and the journalist. This was a struggle that, although extremely difficult, was reasonable to wage because it had a realistic chance of being won. Rule for successful struggle (taken from Sun Tzu's Art of War): don't fight battles you know you can't win.
7.38 "If Taylor is so religious, then we need to get to that thing that he holds to.
The women analyze the opposition, figure out a weak point and a point by which to reach out to the opposition in a positive way. The importance of analysis and strategic planning can't be overemphasized. The goal of nonviolent struggle is not to defeat your opposition, not to crush them. The ideal goal is to convert them if at all possible. This is most likely to happen if you do, in fact, occupy the moral high ground. If conversion is not possible, then seek working compromises in small things….but never compromise your ultimate goal. Keep the ultimate vision always in mind as you make progress in reaching out to the opposition. The women begin to dialogue with pastors and imams, explaining and asking them to see reason.
The women analyze the opposition, figure out a weak point and a point by which to reach out to the opposition in a positive way. The importance of analysis and strategic planning can't be overemphasized. The goal of nonviolent struggle is not to defeat your opposition, not to crush them. The ideal goal is to convert them if at all possible. This is most likely to happen if you do, in fact, occupy the moral high ground. If conversion is not possible, then seek working compromises in small things….but never compromise your ultimate goal. Keep the ultimate vision always in mind as you make progress in reaching out to the opposition. The women begin to dialogue with pastors and imams, explaining and asking them to see reason.
8.52: Police woman is moved, steps out at the meeting and says "Praise the Lord."
An absolutely critical key to success was that Christian and Muslim women united. This was not a fight for sectarian power…not our side vs. yours…this was to be a struggle for peace for their children and communities. Without this unity, their cause would not have had convincing power.
An absolutely critical key to success was that Christian and Muslim women united. This was not a fight for sectarian power…not our side vs. yours…this was to be a struggle for peace for their children and communities. Without this unity, their cause would not have had convincing power.
12:00 "These warlords don't come to save anyone. They have their own agenda...it's to get rich, to get power."
The strongest movement is one that is built on the moral high ground. You need to know what your opposition wants (in this case, wealth and power), you need to know its weaknesses (a huge weakness of the women's opposition was the venal motivation behind their actions). The women wanted peace….an end to the killing and horror. They had the moral high ground.
The strongest movement is one that is built on the moral high ground. You need to know what your opposition wants (in this case, wealth and power), you need to know its weaknesses (a huge weakness of the women's opposition was the venal motivation behind their actions). The women wanted peace….an end to the killing and horror. They had the moral high ground.
17.23 Taylor went to church and the leadership of LURD went to the mosque.
Men who want power use religion to both justify what they are doing in the name of God, and they use religion to separate people into hating groups. A great movement for positive social transformation is strong when it refuses to be drawn into these ancient tactics and preaches and practices instead that we are all brothers and sisters, one human family, all of us seeking to live fulfilled lives, including a search for the divine, in our many different but equally sincere ways. Rule: reject sectarianism, reach out to all people of good will to join your movement.
Men who want power use religion to both justify what they are doing in the name of God, and they use religion to separate people into hating groups. A great movement for positive social transformation is strong when it refuses to be drawn into these ancient tactics and preaches and practices instead that we are all brothers and sisters, one human family, all of us seeking to live fulfilled lives, including a search for the divine, in our many different but equally sincere ways. Rule: reject sectarianism, reach out to all people of good will to join your movement.
19.31 "We needed to do something more dramatic. We decided to take a protest."
This is typical of movements. You begin by talking, by trying to persuade. If you get no favorable result, then you need to be prepared to escalate. The women decide on a peace festival and rally. And note that they now "call Janet"…they decide to get the media involved. Canny use of media is critical to success.
This is typical of movements. You begin by talking, by trying to persuade. If you get no favorable result, then you need to be prepared to escalate. The women decide on a peace festival and rally. And note that they now "call Janet"…they decide to get the media involved. Canny use of media is critical to success.
22.00 "And we had a big banner that said, 'The women of Liberia want peace now."
Rule: state your goal very clearly, as simply as possible. Do NOT pick many goals at once….that diffuses your message. Pick your goal, stick with it. In a very long campaign, you may need to focus on intermediate goals, one at a time. For example, let's say your goal is to bring to Somalia a democratic, egalitarian, thriving and peaceful future, but you are in the middle of a war. Then the first goal must be peace. Then disarmament and reconciliation. Then elections. Then setting up a good government, and so on. But it is critical to know what the long-term goal is to reach maximum success and to avoid backsliding. Gandhi wanted the British to grant India independence. He had many intermediate goals…and each one was a key part of his overall vision. And each one was stated clearly.
Rule: state your goal very clearly, as simply as possible. Do NOT pick many goals at once….that diffuses your message. Pick your goal, stick with it. In a very long campaign, you may need to focus on intermediate goals, one at a time. For example, let's say your goal is to bring to Somalia a democratic, egalitarian, thriving and peaceful future, but you are in the middle of a war. Then the first goal must be peace. Then disarmament and reconciliation. Then elections. Then setting up a good government, and so on. But it is critical to know what the long-term goal is to reach maximum success and to avoid backsliding. Gandhi wanted the British to grant India independence. He had many intermediate goals…and each one was a key part of his overall vision. And each one was stated clearly.
20.56 We went to the bible....We wore white clothes with hair tied up.
Use shared symbols, be willing to sacrifice (no jewelry, no makeup) in some way to demonstrate you are serious (e.g., fasting, plain clothing, giving up a day's wages, etc.).
Use shared symbols, be willing to sacrifice (no jewelry, no makeup) in some way to demonstrate you are serious (e.g., fasting, plain clothing, giving up a day's wages, etc.).
21.36 "We needed to find a strategic point where Taylor would see us. That's how we decided to sit every day at the fish market."
Every struggle is unique. Every group of leaders must do their own analysis of "our best next move." And the key is thinking "strategically." Not wasting energy or resources in poorly thought out actions….but in carefully planned effort. The goal is to get attention. To get converts to the cause. NOT to fight or hurt or destroy the opposition, but to "sit down and reason together."
Every struggle is unique. Every group of leaders must do their own analysis of "our best next move." And the key is thinking "strategically." Not wasting energy or resources in poorly thought out actions….but in carefully planned effort. The goal is to get attention. To get converts to the cause. NOT to fight or hurt or destroy the opposition, but to "sit down and reason together."
22.52 "We were not afraid...if I get killed, just remember that I was fighting for peace."
All nonviolent struggles require courage because one is usually taking on an opponent that has more power, often including the power or arrest or military action. Fear and helplessness must be overcome. In extremely difficult struggles, extreme harm may result. But if waged properly, physical violence can be avoided….most especially if the frontline protestors ARE ALL WOMEN. Gandhi had to work hard to train his male followers to remain nonviolent. Whenever men are to be in the frontlines, much training in remaining nonviolent in the face of violence from the opposition is required. An enormous advantage of a women's movement is that all individuals on the frontline are women: they are the opponents' mothers, sisters, daughters, aunts. And women need practically NO training in remaining nonviolent because using nonviolent means of confrontation is, in general, the preferred female approach to conflict. The "chemistry" of confrontation is entirely different if frontline protestors are men confronting the male opponent or if they are women confronting the male opponent. But fear must be overcome. Most commonly, as a movement progresses and has success, the participants grow in boldness and fearlessness. They begin to sense their power and how to wield it.
All nonviolent struggles require courage because one is usually taking on an opponent that has more power, often including the power or arrest or military action. Fear and helplessness must be overcome. In extremely difficult struggles, extreme harm may result. But if waged properly, physical violence can be avoided….most especially if the frontline protestors ARE ALL WOMEN. Gandhi had to work hard to train his male followers to remain nonviolent. Whenever men are to be in the frontlines, much training in remaining nonviolent in the face of violence from the opposition is required. An enormous advantage of a women's movement is that all individuals on the frontline are women: they are the opponents' mothers, sisters, daughters, aunts. And women need practically NO training in remaining nonviolent because using nonviolent means of confrontation is, in general, the preferred female approach to conflict. The "chemistry" of confrontation is entirely different if frontline protestors are men confronting the male opponent or if they are women confronting the male opponent. But fear must be overcome. Most commonly, as a movement progresses and has success, the participants grow in boldness and fearlessness. They begin to sense their power and how to wield it.
24.39 "We were going to have a strike."
Strikes. Boycotts. Sit-ins. There are actually hundreds of tactics that can be used (see the books of Gene Sharp). The idea of a sex strike (a la Lysistrata) is fascinating. The women's logic is that it was men causing the war, and if you were male you were either participating in it, or you were tolerating it. Either way, you were guilty. There would be no sex until there was peace. The film doesn't make clear how often this was used or for how long….but it could be a useful tactic if used intelligently and out of love and commitment, not out of vengeance or manipulation. For great change with lasting success, behind the scenes men MUST be partners and supporters, as will be evident later in the film.
Strikes. Boycotts. Sit-ins. There are actually hundreds of tactics that can be used (see the books of Gene Sharp). The idea of a sex strike (a la Lysistrata) is fascinating. The women's logic is that it was men causing the war, and if you were male you were either participating in it, or you were tolerating it. Either way, you were guilty. There would be no sex until there was peace. The film doesn't make clear how often this was used or for how long….but it could be a useful tactic if used intelligently and out of love and commitment, not out of vengeance or manipulation. For great change with lasting success, behind the scenes men MUST be partners and supporters, as will be evident later in the film.
26.27 "Asatu was our spy because she could tell us what was going to happen."
It's wise to get information from inside the opposition camp. In this case, from the woman with the Liberian police. Also, there was a woman inside the Liberian administration itself who encouraged the movement's leaders and gave them helpful information. If your cause has the moral high ground, there will very likely be people on the "inside" willing to help. Waging nonviolent struggle is very like war….it is, in fact, a kind of nonviolent war. Planning, strategy, tactics, informants, rules of engagement (nonviolent ones) are as required in nonviolent struggle as they are involved in violent war.
It's wise to get information from inside the opposition camp. In this case, from the woman with the Liberian police. Also, there was a woman inside the Liberian administration itself who encouraged the movement's leaders and gave them helpful information. If your cause has the moral high ground, there will very likely be people on the "inside" willing to help. Waging nonviolent struggle is very like war….it is, in fact, a kind of nonviolent war. Planning, strategy, tactics, informants, rules of engagement (nonviolent ones) are as required in nonviolent struggle as they are involved in violent war.
27.45 The call of the international community for peace talks emboldens the women.
At some point, a successful movement needs to begin to recruit third parties that share the same goal….or third parties that will pitch in. Pressure from the international community on President Taylor plays a key role in backing up the women's actions. Gandhi's movement ultimately drew support from the international community. Public opinion begins to favor the nonviolent activists' position…most especially if they occupy what is clearly the moral high ground.
At some point, a successful movement needs to begin to recruit third parties that share the same goal….or third parties that will pitch in. Pressure from the international community on President Taylor plays a key role in backing up the women's actions. Gandhi's movement ultimately drew support from the international community. Public opinion begins to favor the nonviolent activists' position…most especially if they occupy what is clearly the moral high ground.
33.00 "We arranged for women in Sierra Leone to be sitting (with us) so that the international community would know that we were serious about peace."
The campaign moves into a new phase, and the leaders respond as conditions demand. A high percentage of successful movements that persisted over time had leadership that was able to anticipate what the opponent would do, plan appropriate next moves, and keep followers on track and motivated over the long haul. Never let up pressure in some form.
The campaign moves into a new phase, and the leaders respond as conditions demand. A high percentage of successful movements that persisted over time had leadership that was able to anticipate what the opponent would do, plan appropriate next moves, and keep followers on track and motivated over the long haul. Never let up pressure in some form.
44.05 "We had to continually strategize."
At this point, things look dark. President Taylor isn't arrested in Ghana for war crimes but instead flees back to Liberia. The LURD faction declares all out war. Movements do NOT go smoothly. The struggle is not won easily. But the leadership does NOT give up. In fact, the role of the leadership is to find a way to "up the ante." Unless those in the struggle for positive change are unswervingly resolved, they will lose the struggle to those who are motivated by the primal and strong driving forces for control, money, and power.
At this point, things look dark. President Taylor isn't arrested in Ghana for war crimes but instead flees back to Liberia. The LURD faction declares all out war. Movements do NOT go smoothly. The struggle is not won easily. But the leadership does NOT give up. In fact, the role of the leadership is to find a way to "up the ante." Unless those in the struggle for positive change are unswervingly resolved, they will lose the struggle to those who are motivated by the primal and strong driving forces for control, money, and power.
44.23 We were talking with the warlords....asking them "what would you be satisfied with?" So that when we went to the other side we would have something to negotiate with.
In this case the women, the natural allies of negotiation and compromise, are NOT at the negotiating table…still a much too common condition in all sorts of current conflicts….but they worked tirelessly behind the scenes to find working compromise. This, too, is good strategy.
In this case the women, the natural allies of negotiation and compromise, are NOT at the negotiating table…still a much too common condition in all sorts of current conflicts….but they worked tirelessly behind the scenes to find working compromise. This, too, is good strategy.
45.49 The women had said they did not want any warlord to have any position in the transitional government.
The real world, where money and power are prime drivers of behavior, does not yield easily or completely. So reality is that the protestors are not likely to get everything they want. It's important to be realistic. The Liberian women at this point did not get their demand to exclude the warlords…. but they did go home with a peace agreement. They came away with enough of what they demanded that they could declare victory, and hence keep up the spirits of supporters and continue to build toward the movement's ultimate vision. Rule: don't make demands that can't be met, just ensure that you get enough of what you want at any given point in the campaign so that you can declare victory. A successful campaign needs to have the sense of going from victory to victory.
The real world, where money and power are prime drivers of behavior, does not yield easily or completely. So reality is that the protestors are not likely to get everything they want. It's important to be realistic. The Liberian women at this point did not get their demand to exclude the warlords…. but they did go home with a peace agreement. They came away with enough of what they demanded that they could declare victory, and hence keep up the spirits of supporters and continue to build toward the movement's ultimate vision. Rule: don't make demands that can't be met, just ensure that you get enough of what you want at any given point in the campaign so that you can declare victory. A successful campaign needs to have the sense of going from victory to victory.
55.19 The same security said, "You have to send some women to the window, because some of the delegates are jumping out the window."
This is the ideal situation ... when those who could support your opponent actually begin to support you!
This is the ideal situation ... when those who could support your opponent actually begin to support you!
57.00 A transition government will lead to Liberian elections.
Gbowee ups the ante, saying if they make no progress on a peace treaty the women will hold the meeting hostage again, and this time with 1,000 women, if necessary with 10,000. The Ghanaian negotiator supports the women, and the international community threatens to withdraw support for the peace talks, putting pressure on everyone. No cause this big can be won without mobilizing as many sources of power and persuasion as possible.
Gbowee ups the ante, saying if they make no progress on a peace treaty the women will hold the meeting hostage again, and this time with 1,000 women, if necessary with 10,000. The Ghanaian negotiator supports the women, and the international community threatens to withdraw support for the peace talks, putting pressure on everyone. No cause this big can be won without mobilizing as many sources of power and persuasion as possible.
1.00.14 "Now what? What do we do now?"
Here is where leadership again plays a key role. If the hard-won cause (in this case a peace agreement) is to last and bear fruit, much work usually remains to be done after the first thrilling victory.
Here is where leadership again plays a key role. If the hard-won cause (in this case a peace agreement) is to last and bear fruit, much work usually remains to be done after the first thrilling victory.
1.00.56 We cannot hold it against them.
The women realize that peace is a process, and that work must be done to see that this victory does not end up backsliding, an unfortunate fate for many initially successful nonviolent campaigns. Important next steps: reconciliation will be needed. And disarmament. For any cause, leaders need to be thinking about what the next step must be if the hard won progress is not to be lost and how their movement can be a part of it.
The women realize that peace is a process, and that work must be done to see that this victory does not end up backsliding, an unfortunate fate for many initially successful nonviolent campaigns. Important next steps: reconciliation will be needed. And disarmament. For any cause, leaders need to be thinking about what the next step must be if the hard won progress is not to be lost and how their movement can be a part of it.
1.05.56 Women were determined this time to make a difference.
The women get united to vote in the upcoming election. They know that unless they install a different power structure, that if they just put the usual men in charge again, they are likely to get the very same result. They go on a campaign to get women to vote and they are fortunate to have a Harvard trained women, an economist, to back for the presidency! Here good fortune smiled on them. Without a strong and uncorrupt leader to elect, backsliding would have been the most likely result. The power of the vote in secret ballot is one of the great tools of nonviolent struggle. Putting the right people in powerful positions, people of positive vision and concern for community and the common good, not concern to maintain their power, is a key to positive and lasting social transformation. If those in power live primarily to have power, then domination rather than sharing, even domination by force, is the overwhelming pattern we see in human history.
The women get united to vote in the upcoming election. They know that unless they install a different power structure, that if they just put the usual men in charge again, they are likely to get the very same result. They go on a campaign to get women to vote and they are fortunate to have a Harvard trained women, an economist, to back for the presidency! Here good fortune smiled on them. Without a strong and uncorrupt leader to elect, backsliding would have been the most likely result. The power of the vote in secret ballot is one of the great tools of nonviolent struggle. Putting the right people in powerful positions, people of positive vision and concern for community and the common good, not concern to maintain their power, is a key to positive and lasting social transformation. If those in power live primarily to have power, then domination rather than sharing, even domination by force, is the overwhelming pattern we see in human history.
End: Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf is elected.
Now we wait to see how this movement plays out as Liberia struggles to build a positive future on the ruins of war with as their leader the first democratically elected female president on the African continent!
Now we wait to see how this movement plays out as Liberia struggles to build a positive future on the ruins of war with as their leader the first democratically elected female president on the African continent!