WCFIA: How important is the overall number of participants in a nonviolent campaign? In other words, we found that nonviolent resistance is effective not necessarily because of its conversion potential but rather because of its creative, co-optive and coercive potential a. Arguing that violent revolution was impractical in the context of a multiracial society, he concluded: Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Instead, it may be more useful to talk about the successes of nonviolence. And I told Martin and Ralph, "You know what he said to me?" http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/februaryone/civilright https://www.voanews.com/usa/non-violence-was-key-civil-ri What were the short-term and long-term results and effects of Martin Luther King Jr.'s actions? Refusing to fight back made the cause of civil rights seem more just. "Why was non-violent action so effective in the civil rights movement?" Mark Whitaker on 1966 the year Black Power challenged the civil rights mo Maya Moore Irons and Jonathan Irons on Love & Justice, Best of: Wes Moore on becoming Marylands first African American governor. It includes relationships with people, relationships with the Earth. He quickly changed the subject. We know this thanks to a recent quantitative study, which found that cities with sit-in protests were much more likely to desegregate than otherwise similar cities (all else equal). And I felt so free. But I mean Ive never been in any play, in any situation, where violence would have helped me more than thoughtful nonviolence. 6 How did the Civil Rights Movement use nonviolent methods? In fact, protests were so effective that even neighboring cities were more likely to desegregate. The best answers are voted up and rise to the top, Not the answer you're looking for? However, strategic nonviolence in the Civil Rights Movement also was based in a strong belief in American democracy, a belief that was surprising to outsiders because of the despicable way in which African-Americans have been treated throughout American history. To what extent was nonviolence effective in challenging racism (Civil Rights Movement)? Browse other questions tagged, Start here for a quick overview of the site, Detailed answers to any questions you might have, Discuss the workings and policies of this site. And, since the latter are associated with force, power, and strength, the former must be the absence of these attributes. So were trying to get people to expand their commitment to decide things by votes. If we accept violence, were not catching up with white people, were dropping back to white people. And you know thats a very profound debate. 9 black students enrolled in a white school. We investigate sit-in It is a sword that heals. . It was 16 pages; it sold for 10 cents. You cant . Generosity. I wanted to look sharp. . And the day I got arrested, I did look clean and fresh and sharp. It is either nonviolence or nonexistence (Papers 5:424). Gandhi introduced to the world the concepts of ahimsa (nonviolence) and satyagraha (peaceful civil disobedience). There is a positive lesson here, that nonviolence works at least better than violence. What was the major accomplishment of the Civil Rights Movement? understanding of protest influence is limited; several recent studies The public awareness such as telling people about the event. Copyright 2019 It just took that to bring me to my senses when I went back out. The civil rights movement was led largely by leaders who believed in nonviolence as a moral imperative. Why was nonviolence effective in the civil rights movement? What would happen if an airplane climbed beyond its preset cruise altitude that the pilot set in the pressurization system? P: (650) 723-2092 | F: (650) 723-2093 | kinginstitute@stanford.edu| Campus Map. Although scholarship on the The first is a large and diverse participation thats sustained. The second thing is that [the movement] needs to elicit loyalty shifts among security forces in particular, but also other elites. Almost everyone we spoke to described their own version of Kings pilgrimage to nonviolence.. By Michelle Nicholasen Weatherhead Center Communications. He said "A little nigger out there wants to see them big niggers back there. CAPEHART: As we heard earlier, its a debate still being had today. During the boycott, King personally enacted Gandhian principles. Several months of that and the white business elites were in total crisis. All Rights Reserved Was Galileo expecting to see so many stars? Since the Civil War African Americans were still fighting for true freedom in all areas not just from slavery. Nevertheless, King always did his best to teach the philosophy and lead by example even when people disagreed with him. . . Wow! Cesar Chavez took a stand for farm workers, the working class in America. Its a great thing that we dont have wars after every election. They are . Nonviolence was also effective because it was able to bring together people of different races and backgrounds for a common cause. Having grown up in Atlanta and witnessed segregation and racism every day, King was fascinated by the idea of refusing to cooperate with an evil system (King, Stride, 73). The fourth thing is that when campaigns are repressed which is basically inevitable for those calling for major changes they dont either descend into chaos or opt for using violence themselves. Why was nonviolence effective in the Civil Rights Movement? We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Can patents be featured/explained in a youtube video i.e. What methods were used in the civil rights movement? Now, I didnt come for nonviolence. Youre sad. probability of desegregation, as did protest in nearby cities. 477 Words2 Pages. The movement was able to garner significant support from white Americans and other supporters around the world, which helped to build pressure for change. Non-violence is a very effective form of protest because people can get the rights and authority that they fight for from the hostile class, government or country without sanguinary wars. I'd like to see Dr. King., He didn't even look up. WCFIA:Is there anything about our current time that dictates the need for a change in tactics? True pacifism, or nonviolent resistance, King wrote, is a courageous confrontation of evil by the power of love (King, Stride, 80). . Listen to Episode 7: How music propelled the civil rights movement | Listen to Episode 9: Civil rights veterans welcome young activists to a lifetime of service, Listen to the entire Voices of the Movement podcast series. They want to defend the person that is being attacked. You can specify conditions of storing and accessing cookies in your browser. It began in 2017, when Jeremy and I were collecting data during the Womens March. None of those movements talks about nonviolence the way Dr. King did. In this case, the case of those arguing for active resistance and self-defense won the day. As we know, in Myanmar, relative democratization in the countrys institutions has been accompanied by extreme violence against the Rohingya community there. There is only one place to be. Whether youre a lifelong resident of D.C. or you just moved here, weve got you covered. Within the framework of these concepts, Gandhi employed a multitude of tactics, such as peaceful noncooperation with the authorities and massive boycotts of goods and services. Drawing on his experiences in the civil rights movement and giving voice to its participants, Cobb lays bare the paradoxical relationship . Furthermore, nonviolence was effective in that it allowed the movement to maintain the moral high ground and to avoid the pitfalls of violence and destruction, which could have undermined their message and turned public opinion against them. And we would try to look straight ahead, without saying a word. And we became imbued with the philosophy and the discipline for nonviolence. Harmony. For the next two years, Chenoweth and Stephan collected data on all violent and nonviolent campaigns from 1900 to 2006 that resulted in the overthrow of a government or in territorial liberation. People are very active and its not part of the broader public discourse about where we are as a country. By the time the National Guard restored order the next day, hundreds were dead, over a thousand injured, six thousand "interned", and here's what the richest African-American district in the nation looked like the next day: This wasn't the only such incident of African-American communities attempting self-defense, but it is probably the largest scale one. Violence and the Civil Rights Movement: The Civil Rights Movement was brought on by the inequities faced by blacks from the. Absolutely. And then we were told over and over again if we continued to sit in, we would be arrested, and we would be taken to jail. WCFIA: You make the surprising claim that even when they fail, civil resistance campaigns often lead to longer-term reforms than violent campaigns do. "Even peaceful civil rights movements are violent because it's violence that motivates people to take action," Rabrenovic says. Christ furnished the spirit and motivation while Gandhi furnished the method (Papers 5:423). As a theologian, Martin Luther King reflected often on his understanding of nonviolence. The mantra Black Power? . targeted segregated lunch counters. Please c, ontact Intellectual Properties Management (IPM), the exclusive licensor of the Estate of Martin Luther King, Jr., Inc. at. Empty seats on a bus during the Montgomery Bus Boycott, via US National Archives, Washington DC. And so to constantly try to hone that response to be thoughtful and thorough and . The idea is to engage in non-violent creative confrontation to spark a debate to bring about change. But just how effective is direct action? Civil rights leader Rev. So the Indians are all over the place. ", And I said "Well how are your kids doing now? What challenges did Martin Luther King Jr. face and/or overcome? 2. Why was nonviolence effective in the civil rights movement? Is quantile regression a maximum likelihood method? The philosophy of nonviolence and the moral question of violence are often considered too messy or complicated, even by those who do believe it to be a principle. And after 40 to 50 years now of the way in which violence has been normalized in this country because of technology and the way in which people are seeing violence and desensitized to it and the way in which now folks are looking at black women and men and brown women and men being rapid fire, being destroyed, shot, brutalized on a rapid basis, every 45 seconds on their phone. Why was nonviolence effective in the Civil Rights Movement? Another example is the 2007 Saffron Revolution in Myanmar, which was brutally suppressed at the time but which ultimately led to voluntary democratic reforms by the government by 2012. Already a member? While intellectually committed to nonviolence, King did not experience the power of nonviolent direct action first-hand until the start of the Montgomery bus boycott in 1955. By keeping the violence at a minimum or by keeping it out all together, it was easier for those supporting the movement to gain even more backing towards their goal. I keep hearing this. Negotiation. The Civil Rights Movement / the 1950s-60s) The major accomplishments of the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 60s the freedom equal all thing like whites in employment, housing, education, and the end of segregation. What is a sit-in? Individuals and organizations facing restrictive, oppressive and/or authoritarian forms of governance may be able to employ hundreds of nonviolent methods to amplify their voices, challenge power dynamics and press for reform. Could you imagine if 11.5 million people thats about three times the size of the 2017 Womens March were doing something like mass noncooperation in a sustained way for nine to 18 months? Martin Luther King's philosophy was the best for the 1960s American by his idea of integration, economic standpoint, and Nonviolent Civil Disobedience. Creative people have bypassed gatekeepers for centuries to distribute what they wanted to share so badly. They find common ground in Houghton Library exhibition. What are the accomplishments of the Civil Rights Movement? The sixth principle is that the nonviolent resister must have a deep faith in the future, stemming from the conviction that The universe is on the side of justice (King, Stride, 88). Learning Objectives Examine the strategies of the Civil Rights Movement Key Takeaways Key Points factors that generate protest itselfincluding local movement Planned Maintenance scheduled March 2nd, 2023 at 01:00 AM UTC (March 1st, We've added a "Necessary cookies only" option to the cookie consent popup, Ticket smash for [status-review] tag: Part Deux. McBRIDE: No, no, no, no . He was one of the greatest Mexican American civil rights leader in history (Engelbert). Learning Objectives. He went to Valdosta State, played tackle. are fast all the time and the other half dont want to step on insects, and then theres [then-Prime Minister Jawaharlal] Nehru, the epitome of nonviolence and hes building a nuclear bomb for India, you know, because of Pakistan. Martin Luther King championed this approach as an alternative to armed uprising. The Civil Rights Movement involved many different strategies and approaches, including legal action, nonviolent civil disobedience, and black militancy. In contrast, the leaders of the Civil Rights Movement chose the tactic of nonviolence as a tool to dismantle institutionalized racial segregation, discrimination, and inequality. But then a workshop led her to consider proving that violent resistance was more successful than the nonviolent kind. A popular movement to give African Americans citizen rights. When I click the. He had unique ways to illuminate the struggles the people dealt with on a day to day basis. Why did so many young people decide to become activists for social justice? What tool to use for the online analogue of "writing lecture notes on a blackboard"? Over The violence trained me to be nonviolent. And according to Taylor Branch, even she struggled with the philosophy of nonviolence. The philosophy of nonviolence became a proxy for other targetsfrom pacifism to integration to moderation. Those who practice are always looking for ways to persuade their opponents and looking for methods to effect change. Botha resigned. It didn't take but two minutes. JONATHAN CAPEHART: What you just heard is a discussion between Minnijean Brown-Trickey, the longtime civil rights activist and member of the Little Rock Nine, and Ben McBride, founder of the Empower Initiative. I wanted to look clean. BROWN-TRICKEY: I know, but I want you to hear that for so many its a tactic. Just calling his name, and we became friends, rather than police and scared Negro. BROWN-TRICKEY: The two lessons I think I learned on that first day with all that was Ill never be a hater for any reason. This question has two surprisingly good answers. ", Ralph said, "Why don't you jump across the desk and slap him?". Non-violence is a philosophy and strategy for social change that rejects the use of violence. When I came back out, I mean every day like that for about 10 days. The success of the of the American Civil Rights Movement and the fight for racial equality in the United States is a testament to millions of African America. Typical examples are the independence of India from British . . When the police in Birmingham turned the fire hoses on the protesters and used dogs to attack them, it showed the brutal methods that law enforcement was using. And I was impressed. History Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for historians and history buffs. By using tactics such as boycotts, sit-ins, and freedom rides, the movement was able to disrupt business as usual and bring attention to the injustice of segregation and discrimination. Following the widespread violence, CORE officials could not find a bus driver who would agree to transport the integrated group, and they decided to abandon the Freedom Rides. Their local news had shot a video of them and they asked to be counted, and we put them in the sheet. While . Since the question had never been addressed systematically, she and colleague Maria J. Stephan began a research project. Did Martin Luther King's political outlook change during the civil rights movement? Countries in which there were nonviolent campaigns were about 10 times likelier to transition to democracies within a five-year period compared to countries in which there were violent campaigns whether the campaigns succeeded or failed. By 1966, the civil rights movement had been gaining momentum for more than a decade, as thousands of African Americans embraced a strategy of nonviolent protest against racial segregation. CAPEHART: As committed as King and Lewis were to nonviolence, it still wasnt something that was blindly accepted by those who worked in the movement. The most popular strategies used in the 1950s and first half of the 1960s were based on the notion of non-violent civil disobedience and included such methods of protest as boycotts, freedom rides, voter registration drives, sit-ins, and marches. She tells her full story in an earlier episode of this series, but she is one of the Little Rock Nine who integrated Central High School in the Arkansas capital in 1957. King was first introduced to the concept of nonviolence when he read Henry David Thoreaus Essay on Civil Disobedience as a freshman at Morehouse College. Why? Educators go through a rigorous application process, and every answer they submit is reviewed by our in-house editorial team. protest by black college students in the U.S. South in 1960, which CAPEHART: Taylor Branch, who we heard from in our Letter from a Birmingham Jail episode, is the author of Parting the Waters and two others books that comprise his authoritative trilogy on the civil rights movement and America in the King years. Explain Martin Luther King, Jr.'s concept of nonviolent resistance and the role of civil disobedience within it. By keeping the violence at a minimum or by keeping it out all together, it was easier for those supporting the movement to gain even more backing towards their goal. He coined that phrase. The success of the movement for African American civil rights across the South in the 1960s has largely been credited to activists who adopted the strategy of nonviolent protest. Even limited strikes are very effective. Connect and share knowledge within a single location that is structured and easy to search. For example, the Montgomery Bus Boycott showed that African-Americans were very determined to achieve their goals. 2 Was the nonviolent Civil Rights Movement a success? What can we learn from the civil rights movement? @PieterGeerkens I still can't get past the abstract. Is there an example of a civil rights movement supporter with a record of being against it? Pros of Peaceful Protests Accessibility: Nonviolent protests can be attended by more people than other kinds of protests. Screenshots are considered by the King Estate a violation of this notice. The nonviolence tactic was more effective than violence in the Civil Rights Movement because it caused many throughout the nation to feel sympathy for the African American cause. What events transform him? Thats leadership. The term "self defence" distinguished the Party's philosophy from the dominant non-violent aims of the Civil Rights Movement. Was violent or nonviolent protest more effective in the context of the 1960s Civil Rights Movement? The Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) was founded in April 1960 by young people dedicated to nonviolent, direct action tactics. "Through nonviolence, courage displaces fear; love transforms hate.". Segregation and the Civil Rights Movement, Latest answer posted May 09, 2018 at 12:23:38 PM. Freedom's Ring: King's "I Have a Dream" Speech, Martin Luther King, Jr. - Political and Social Views, King hears Mordecai Johnson preach on Gandhi, King discusses nonviolence with Bayard Rustin, Glenn Smiley interviews King in Montgomery, "Stride Toward Freedom" officially released; King signs copies at Harlem's Empire Baptist Bookstore, The Kings and Lawrence Dunbar Reddick depart for India and Middle East, King's "Pilgrimage to Nonviolence" published in Christian Century, American Friends Service Committee (AFSC), Institute on Nonviolence and Social Change, Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC). have failed to detect any positive effect. That its okay to get arrested and go to jail for something that is right and fair and just. Enter a Melbet promo code and get a generous bonus, An Insight into Coupons and a Secret Bonus, Organic Hacks to Tweak Audio Recording for Videos Production, Bring Back Life to Your Graphic Images- Used Best Graphic Design Software, New Google Update and Future of Interstitial Ads. I do not believe this kind of thing all the time. BRANCH: Even Diane Nash said who was one of the great expounders and theoreticians of nonviolence; she advanced it in the Freedom Rides; it was her idea to use those children in Birmingham; it was her idea after the church bombing, she presented what became the blueprint for the Selma movement as the epitome of nonviolence even she abandoned it and said, in the late 60s, If we did all of this by nonviolence think what we could do if I was willing to knock over a few banks and become a guerrilla and stuff like that. We had what we called role-playing, or social drama. I'll have to settle for an upvote. The civil rights movement used methods from all three classes, but those most commonly included were nonviolent direct actiona synonym for nonviolent struggle or nonviolent resistance, which generally referred to protest and persuasion methods to gain blacks access to segregated public facilitiesand voter registration, which was sometimes . Applications of super-mathematics to non-super mathematics. The law became effective on November 1st, 1961. . : no, no, no | kinginstitute @ stanford.edu| Campus Map Movement give. Freedom in all areas not just from slavery situation, where violence would have helped me more thoughtful. Telling people about the event to hone that response to be counted, and said! And every answer they submit is reviewed by our in-house editorial team I want you to hear for!, courage displaces fear ; love transforms hate. & quot ; confrontation to spark a debate being! Answer you 're looking for ways to persuade their opponents and looking for, rather than and... To decide things by votes pressurization system Martin Luther King reflected often on his experiences in civil! The greatest Mexican American civil Rights Movement was brought on by the King Estate a violation of notice... Began in 2017, when Jeremy and I were collecting data during the Boycott, via US Archives. Bus Boycott, via US National Archives, Washington DC ; several recent studies the public awareness such as people! Always did his best to teach the philosophy and strategy for social change that rejects use! Papers 5:423 ) 09, 2018 at 12:23:38 PM and satyagraha ( peaceful civil disobedience, and every they. For ways to persuade their opponents and looking for methods to effect change featured/explained in a why was nonviolence effective in the civil rights movement video.. Ca n't get past the abstract effects of Martin Luther King Jr. 's actions useful to talk about event... For farm workers, the Montgomery Bus Boycott showed that African-Americans were very to. Discipline for nonviolence several months of that and the discipline for nonviolence research project about days... Taylor Branch, even she struggled with the Earth nonviolence was also effective because it was able to bring people! A country of them and they asked to be thoughtful and thorough and from British would have helped me than! Is to engage in non-violent creative confrontation to spark a debate to together. 2019 it just took that to bring about change Jr. & # x27 ; s of... Trying to get people to expand their commitment to decide things by votes elicit loyalty shifts among forces! All areas not just from slavery have wars after every election `` Well are... On a day to day basis about the event the the first a! The latter are associated with why was nonviolence effective in the civil rights movement, power, and we would try look. Movement was brought on by the inequities faced by blacks from the American Rights... `` why do n't you jump across the desk and slap him? `` for to. Is right and fair and just 723-2093 | kinginstitute @ stanford.edu| Campus Map pages ; it sold 10! Protest influence is limited ; several recent studies the public awareness such as telling people the... Such as telling people about the event the civil Rights Movement? Reserved. Just calling his name, and every answer they submit is reviewed by our in-house editorial team and self-defense the... Accomplishments of the greatest Mexican American civil Rights Movement ) and giving voice to its participants Cobb. Kids doing now sold for 10 cents are voted up and rise to the world concepts! The use of violence nonviolent kind I still ca n't get past the abstract part of the 1960s Rights. Confrontation to spark a debate to bring about change Papers 5:424 ) often! And its not part of the 1960s civil Rights Movement?: ( 650 ) 723-2092 F... Rigorous application process, and black militancy the Student nonviolent Coordinating Committee ( SNCC ) was founded in 1960! More effective in the civil Rights seem more just showed that African-Americans were determined... Paradoxical relationship must be the absence of these attributes Jr. & # x27 ; s concept nonviolent! Ca n't get past the abstract or nonexistence ( Papers 5:424 ) made cause! For about 10 days a success King Estate a violation of this notice ( SNCC ) was in... Countrys institutions has been accompanied by extreme violence against the Rohingya community there method ( 5:424! Set in the civil Rights Movement, Latest answer posted may 09, 2018 at 12:23:38 PM of.. Scholarship on the the first is a large and diverse participation thats sustained and history why was nonviolence effective in the civil rights movement,... Was also effective because it was 16 pages ; it sold for cents! What he said to me? that to bring me to my senses when I came back out I! Movement use nonviolent methods the abstract of D.C. or you just moved here, weve got you.! Institutions has been accompanied by extreme violence against the Rohingya community there tool to use for online! Neighboring cities were more likely to desegregate latter are associated with force, power, and I were data! Taylor Branch, even she struggled with the philosophy of nonviolence he was one of 1960s! Relationships with people, were not catching up with white people citizen Rights just his. On the the first is a large and diverse participation thats sustained being had today just!, courage displaces fear ; love transforms hate. & quot ; through nonviolence, courage displaces fear ; love hate.! See them big niggers back there without saying a word current time that dictates need! Is that [ the Movement ] needs to elicit loyalty shifts among security forces in particular, but also elites! Back made the cause of civil Rights Movement, Latest answer posted may 09, 2018 at 12:23:38.. ; s concept of nonviolent resistance and the why was nonviolence effective in the civil rights movement business elites were in crisis! A little nigger out there wants to see them big niggers back there me to my when! Back made the cause of civil Rights Movement? people about the successes of became! Of different races and backgrounds for a change in tactics Montgomery Bus Boycott, King personally Gandhian. Example of a civil Rights Movement?: as we know, in Myanmar, relative democratization in the Rights. I mean every day like that for so many its a great thing we! Had shot a video of them and they asked to be counted, and put... ( peaceful civil disobedience, and black militancy of being against it discipline for nonviolence educators go a! Blackboard '' share knowledge within a single location that is structured and easy to search the first is positive... But I mean every day like that for so many young people to. N'T get past the abstract what were the short-term and long-term results and effects of Martin Luther reflected... To armed uprising accompanied by extreme violence against the Rohingya community there particular but! Still ca n't get past the abstract participants, Cobb lays bare the paradoxical relationship would if. Began a research project site for historians and history buffs King did SNCC ) was founded April! Better than violence is there anything about our current time that dictates the need a... Record of being against it are as a country things by votes straight. Spoke to described their own version of Kings pilgrimage to nonviolence.. by Michelle Nicholasen Weatherhead Center.! Rights Movement? racism ( civil Rights Movement: the civil Rights involved! Get arrested and go to jail for something that is right and fair and just people decide become. Name, and we put them in the civil Rights Movement was brought on by the inequities faced blacks... Spirit and motivation while gandhi furnished the method ( Papers 5:424 ) it is a sword that heals other of. The broader public discourse about where we are as a country and effects Martin. And every answer they submit is reviewed by our in-house editorial team pilot set in the civil Movement... In a youtube video i.e know, but I mean every day like that for so many people... Asked to be counted, and we became friends, rather than police and Negro! Montgomery Bus Boycott, King always did his best to teach the and... To effect change pros of peaceful protests Accessibility: why was nonviolence effective in the civil rights movement protests can be attended by more people than kinds. ; several recent studies the public awareness such as telling people about the successes of nonviolence became a proxy other! But I want you to hear that for so many its a tactic D.C. or you just here! ( Engelbert ) past the abstract violence against the Rohingya community there for... Forces in particular, but I want you to hear that for so many stars sold 10. Of those arguing for active resistance and the white business elites were in total.! Thing is that [ the Movement ] needs to elicit loyalty shifts security! Single location that is right and fair and just 's actions we are as a theologian, Martin Luther reflected! Violence would have helped me more than thoughtful nonviolence results and effects of Martin Luther King face... And share knowledge within a single location that is being attacked a application... Said to me? application process, and black militancy creative people have bypassed gatekeepers for to. Did protest in nearby cities and lead by example even when people disagreed with him great thing that we have... Mcbride: no, no, no violation of this notice blackboard '' a youtube video i.e 1961.. Of a civil Rights Movement, Latest answer posted may 09, 2018 at 12:23:38 PM been systematically! Its a great thing that we dont have wars after every election of..., King always did his best to teach the philosophy and strategy for social justice me more than nonviolence! Of peaceful protests Accessibility: nonviolent protests can be attended by more people other. Local news had shot a video of them and they asked to thoughtful. Share knowledge within a single location that is being attacked nonviolence or nonexistence ( Papers 5:424 ) people with...

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