[Peace-discuss] Proposal for Humanitarian Drives--text

[msimon at uiuc.edu]

First, I’d like to apologize for posting this message to 
the “peace-discuss” list as this may be more of an “activism” 
list posting.  In any event, I post it here mostly as a 
response to the wonderful community-building proposals from 
Charlotte, Tim Kemmis, and Ann-Marie.

Intro: Ideas on P4P
Regardless of alternative events planned by AWARE, for the 
time being I strongly believe that P4P should continue as 
is.  P4P is accessible, reliable, and well known in the 
community.  Therefore, it is our best shot at an inclusive 
anti-war demonstration.  Like it or not (based on recent 
changes in circumstances with the pro-war fold), P4P has 
become the largest symbol of dissent in Champaign-Urbana.  It 
has taken months to build the community awareness of P4P (and 
still I often talk to other undergraduates who have never 
heard of P4P).  If we were to change our demonstration 
location, in order to combat exclusivity we would have some 
MAJOR work to do!

This being said, I know that now safety is now a major issue 
and the general vibe of the demonstration has become more 
tense.  Particularly because of the former issue, I have no 
right to tell others (especially those who bring their 
children) to keep coming.  I can say with certainty that I 
will keep coming to P4P.  There is a lot to be learned from 
the present situation and it has forced me to ask some 
important questions.  

-I know what I oppose, but what am I for?  How can I have 
some sort of vision for the future without alienating most 
people or feeling alienated myself?
-At times, I’ve gotten really angry with the pro-war 
demonstrators.  From this, I must begrudgingly admit that I, 
too, can be a violent person. 
-Can I come up with creative, non-violent responses to 
aggression?
-Is it my job as a pro-peace demonstrator to convert others?  
If yes, am I an elitist?  What does it mean when another 
person does not want to be converted? 

I do not think that we can start to honestly address these 
questions while isolating ourselves from the current P4P 
conflicts by moving to another location.  At the same time, I 
don’t think that P4P alone is sufficient anymore.  This 
brings me to the proposals I mentioned earlier, but first to 
preface this by saying that although I know many individuals 
and small groups are doing EXCELLENT work in the community, I 
have questions about two aspects of AWARE’s community 
actions.  

MISSING THE POSITIVE MESSAGE:
It is our right and duty as citizens to speak out against 
injustices and violence and it is a right that AWARE 
exercises very well, but the absence of war does not insure 
peace.  So in addition to protest, in Champaign-Urbana let’s 
also plant the seeds of peaceful alternatives to the current 
American culture of fear and violence.  Hopefully, these 
seeds will grow tall and reach deep into all parts of our 
community.  

THE MESSENGER: 
Our words are important tools.  At any moment, through sound 
bites, letters to the Congressperson, signs, or leaflets, our 
words may have a transformative effect on another person.  
These words are also personal challenges for us to practice 
what we preach.  For example, we spend a lot of necessary 
time trying to convince people that we are patriotic.  We 
continue to stress this in abstract and symbolic ways: 
statements in the independent media and by bringing flags to 
P4P.  We can also live this patriotism by sponsoring events 
that aim to unite our community on a very common 
denominator.  Active love of one’s community is patriotic.

SUPPORT THE TROOPS, VETERANS, PEOPLE OF OTHER NATIONS, THE 
NEEDY:
Again, I think that Tim Kemmis’s ideas are wonderful.  These 
are the people who are most directly affected by the war and 
deserve our immediate attention and respect.  

COMMUNITY GATHERINGS:
Can we promote peace without being political or seeming 
didactic?  What can we do to ensure a more inclusive, 
peaceful community after the war is over?  

I strongly support Ann-Marie’s community potluck/picnic 
proposal as an initial step to deal with these questions.  
While we can make leaflets available and encourage political 
discourse, let this event mainly be about interaction with 
new people as equals, friends and guests (rather than as 
pupils).  If we are truly peaceful people, theoretically, we 
should not have to justify that to anybody in words.  Let the 
desire to befriend our community members speak for itself.  
Lets eat, drink, chat, throw frisbees, play basketball, and 
ENJOY.  

Furthermore, what do people think of having such an event 
close to one of the African-American neighborhoods?  It is 
interesting that although African-Americans are P4P’s most 
enthusiastic honkers, few stay at the actual protest (please 
note that in no way do I mean to diminish the powerful 
presence of the African-Americans and other minority group 
members who do come to P4P).  Why is this?  Is it “right” for 
AWARE to encroach upon the African-American community as I 
suggest?  As an aside, while this may be a bit of a drive for 
some AWARE members, at least at a public park we won’t get 
towed!

I’m really excited to hear your thoughts about all of this 
rambling of mine.

Appreciatively, 
Mike Simon