[Peace-discuss] Fw: YMCA partners with ARMY

[Alfred Kagan]

I am more than troubled.  The Y is in effect promoting the military 
which is engaged in fighting wars of aggression.
On Feb 14, 2005, at 10:31 AM, jandurl wrote:

> Dear Peace List:
> Below is the response I received from the University YMCA in reference 
> to
> the question asked by Kate, a member of student peace action.  Kate was
> wondering about the use of the Y lawn by the ARMY.
> It sounds like we should no longer be concerned, since what Kate 
> observed is
> not really a Y "program" (it took place outside the doors on the 
> "lawn") and
> besides many current Y residents are "serving" their country in the 
> "armed
> forces".
> Isn't that what a "young men's Christian Association" should be all 
> about
> anyway?   And besides  the Y apparently needs the money.  So I guess we
> shouldn't be concerned since the Y is "committed" to social justice 
> and that
> army recruitment event on the lawn was just one more way to get young 
> people
> interested in doing the right thing.
> Maybe next time the ARMY wants to rent the "Y" lawn someone can 
> explain how
> military recruitment and social justice can work side by side.  I am 
> still
> troubled!
> JAN Kruse
>
> -
> Sent: Monday, February 14, 2005 9:31 AM
> Subject: Re: YMCA partners with ARMY
>
>
>> Hi Jan-
>>
>> Thank you for contacting me. As you know, the University YMCA runs on
>> a very limited budget and as such, relies quite heavily on space and
>> room rental fees. Our receptionist handles all rentals, like the one
>> on Friday from the ARMY and 107.1. It is policy for her to bring to
>> staff any inquiries about rentals from groups that are questionably
>> in efforts against the Y's, however, I don't believe she felt the
>> United States ARMY is one of those groups. Especially because so many
>> of Y students (residents and student leaders) have gone on to serve
>> our country in the armed forces.
>> As you also know, the University YMCA is an organization committed to
>> social justice efforts, but is open to the message of many. I
>> apologize on behalf of the Y for any concern this has caused, but
>> assure you the display on the lawn on Friday was in no way a "program
>> of the Y".
>> Please let me know if you have any other questions about this, and
>> feel free to pass this message along to the peace discuss list.
>>
>> Thanks,
>> Becca
>>
>>> Becca:
>>> Can you respond to this message?  Many folks are worried about this 
>>> and
> find
>>> this to be of concern?
>>> JAN Kruse
>
>
>>> Sent: Friday, February 11, 2005 5:26 PM
>>> Subject: [Peace-discuss] YMCA partners with ARMY
>
>   It is not everyday you can discover the "oportunities" of the
>   ARMY on the front lawn of the University Y.  But today was
>   such a day.  You could also get a free keychain, talk with a
>   ROTC student, hear some rock blasting from speakers, and win
>>>>  some tickets to a basketball game.  107.1 (the planet) and
>>>>  the ARMY paired up to glamorize enlisting in the military.
>>>>  But why were they allowed on the Y lawn?   Is this common
>>>>  policy?  Does anyone know if this has happened before?  I am
>>>>  disturbed that the Y would allow people to recruit out
>>>>  front.  Even if they guise it as free speech (which I do not
>>>>  yet know their reasons) it will not lead to free speech
>>>>  wherever the people who enlist end up going.  I find this
>>>>  unethical and counterproductive to many of the events that
>>>>  take place at the Y.
>   -kate stepanski
>  student peace action member
>
>
>
>
>
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Al Kagan
African Studies Bibliogrpaher and Professor of Library Administration
University of Illinois Library
1408 W. Gregory Drive
Urbana, IL 61801

tel. 217-333-6519
fax 217-333-2214
akagan at uiuc.edu
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