Baltimore IMC : http://www.baltimoreimc.org
Announcement :: Protest Activity
We need to redefine what it means to "support our troops"
This is meant to be a call to all current protestors of the war. In light of the slanted media and the negative framing and stereotyping of current suporters of the anti war movement, let us not forget we have certain responsibilities if our position as peace seekers is to be seen legitimately and taken seriously.
I have been as outraged as everyone else. As is the case with deep conflicts such as the one we are all currently faced with, now is the time when people tend to cling to their ideologies and values, disregarding all other positions that fall outside of their own framework as being wrong and evil. Suddenly, many of those that opposed starting a war with a preempted strike, now believe that the war is something we all need to "get behind" simply because we have no choice. To do otherwise would be anti-American. The Dixie Chicks (and who could be more American than them!) didn't "get behind it" and suddenly they are a step away from serenading Sadam Hussein with country love songs that can't get radio play in the USA. In 30 seconds, Michael Moore went from being a brilliant and award winning documentary filmmaker to an idiot that doesn't know anything.
We political activists and protestors have done our homework and we don't see things in black and white. We know better than to label so quickly. We have gone beyond the latest reality TV hit brought to us by MSNBC and CNN to see what's really going on. I dare to say, it's not about hating our troops. It's not about hating our country (despite our embarrasment and sense of shame).
But when we are being labeled so negatively, it's easy to want to stand firm and simply say, "fuck you too!"
It is our responsibility to make our position clear and fight against these contentious ideas. I would like to make a plea for all the protestors out there to somehow make it clear at all upcomming protests, be it in a sign or a chant, that we are not anti-troops. We support life in the middle east, be it American or not --that is what it means to be pro-peace. It makes me angry that the popular notion these days is that protesting should stop because it is hindering the moral of our troops. This is ludicrous. My parents were in Vietnam, I grew up on military bases and struggled internally, trying to understand the values and ideologies that make up the United States Military. We don't have to support what they are doing but we support them as human life. Maybe if people begin to associate this idea with anti-war protestors, we will better appeal to their interests. If they can see that we have a common interest, the results may ultimately lead to a stronger movement and better media coverage.
We political activists and protestors have done our homework and we don't see things in black and white. We know better than to label so quickly. We have gone beyond the latest reality TV hit brought to us by MSNBC and CNN to see what's really going on. I dare to say, it's not about hating our troops. It's not about hating our country (despite our embarrasment and sense of shame).
But when we are being labeled so negatively, it's easy to want to stand firm and simply say, "fuck you too!"
It is our responsibility to make our position clear and fight against these contentious ideas. I would like to make a plea for all the protestors out there to somehow make it clear at all upcomming protests, be it in a sign or a chant, that we are not anti-troops. We support life in the middle east, be it American or not --that is what it means to be pro-peace. It makes me angry that the popular notion these days is that protesting should stop because it is hindering the moral of our troops. This is ludicrous. My parents were in Vietnam, I grew up on military bases and struggled internally, trying to understand the values and ideologies that make up the United States Military. We don't have to support what they are doing but we support them as human life. Maybe if people begin to associate this idea with anti-war protestors, we will better appeal to their interests. If they can see that we have a common interest, the results may ultimately lead to a stronger movement and better media coverage.
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