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EDITORIAL

Talking Peace

How do we talk about peace in a culture that has politely declined to talk about religion or politics?

In the current atmosphere of patriotism, to voice dissent against war is not only widely unpopular, it is also dangerous (ACLU). Susan Sontag’s participation in the Talk About Town Column of September 24th in the New Yorker was met with viscious criticism. Not only are news stories neglected (read censored), the acquiescense of the media to the propaganda of war is unprecedented (FAIR).

People in our lives call us dewy eyed idealists and claim that we have no choice but to go to war. They ask "what is your solution" and then ridicule our replies as "unworkable". Like war is workable? No, war is not the answer; but it is simple, it is primitive, it is what has always been done. Someone claiming that war is our only resort is not asked to detail just what will make it work; but anyone calling for peace, negotiation, rebuilding is asked to explain just how in detail. The void in the popular media of experts and historians such as Stanley Hoffman, who could give substance to the alternatives, leaves the average citizen without a vision of just what else we could do. In popular media, the alternatives are not even presented.

The media has neglected to present the options, but more than that they have exploited the women of Afghanistan to justify their war. The conditions for women in Afghanistan are heartbreakingly deplorable, but that is not why we are fighting this war. RAWA (Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan) has repeatedly requested aid from the United States. It was not forthcoming, but now that justification for war is needed, the women of Afghanistan are getting coverage. (See also, Janelle Brown)

How then, do we take politics into polite society and remain credible? How do we avoid being classed as idealists or worse, subversives? There is a lesson to be learned from the Gay Liberation movement that supported and promoted gays and lesbians to come out of the closet to be counted. Visibility added the strength of personal connection to the numbers. As advocates of peaceful solutions become visible in the everyday world, those solutions become more possible.

Coming out of the closet as an advocate of peaceful solutions is difficult. Besides being asked to justify every detail of any proposed solution, words like "traitor" are hurled or whispered. The October 27th Peace March in Kingston, NY was called "Pro-Taliban" by a spokesman for the group Free Republic.com. Radical and inflamed positions can be put into perspective, but perhaps more difficult to take is criticism from our closest associates of being "divisive" and worse 'un-American".

Many people have exalted in how our nation has united. They say, "It brings us hope." This new patriotism is only beneficial if it pushes us to strive for the highest ideals as stated in our constitution. If our patriotism is but fear that binds us against an enemy, we will only be united when there is an enemy.

To "talk peace" one has to be better informed than those who can wholeheartedly give their support to war with symbols. With criticism of U.S. policy being next to blasphemy these days, we must steel ourselves with knowledge. There are greater and wiser voices that this country has muted and ignored, but the great spirits behind those voices have given us a clear vision of change through non-violence and solidarity. From them, we can take hope and encouragement.

In closing, this website is dedicated to the search for peaceful solutions and to support those who are doing just that. We encourage you to participate in this Support Group by submitting letters, poems, articles, proposals, calendar announcements and any item that you think will contribute to our search. We encourage you to COME OUT in your family, neighborhood, community, to "talk peace" and make it part of the common vernacular.

Barbara Salzman, Co-Editor
www.peaceandjusticeresources.com