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Manchester Area People for PeaceNews & Events || Student Resources || Articles & Letters || Tools & Goods || Comments |
It’s TimeOn October 5th I canvassed stores around State Street, crossed the U of M campus, and toured South University Street. I was looking for peace signs, peace buttons, any sign of a protest movement taking shape on one of the most activist campuses in the country. I found none of these things. When I asked two different shopkeepers if they had peace buttons for sale, remarkably, they both replied, “No, but it’s time, isn’t it.” One expressed his sense of frustration. “I hate the president for what he’s doing,” he said, “but there’s so much anti-Semitism among the people who are protesting, I don’t know what to do.” I’m convinced that there are thousands of people similarly frustrated and reluctant to speak out against what is going on in this country under the Bush administration. September 11th shook us all. Nevertheless, opposing Bush & Co. for what they are doing to this country does not make us unpatriotic, and opposing Ariel Sharon & Co. for what they are doing to Israel and the Palestinians does not make us anti-Semitic. There is a strong peace movement within Israel, but sadly we hear little of it here. There is a current of fear and intimidation afoot in this country that would silence dissent; and it should chill every one of us to the bone. It’s invading our campuses with the resurrection of blacklists and one-sided letters of condemnation that are circulated and signed by people who should know better; it’s permeating our congress and the media; and it’s succeeding because Americans are afraid to speak out. The truth is we can’t rely on the congress and we can’t rely on the media. It’s time for grass roots activism. Exercise your democratic right to protest. Join the Israelis, the British, the Palestinians, and the Europeans who are already marching for peace. You have a voice; it’s time to raise it. Show the world that peaceful dissent is still a powerful force for change in this country. Get involved. It’s time. Eileen Parker Manchester, MI October 9th, 2002 |
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