Fredrick Douglass on the puny opposition to war....

[Tom Joad]

I heard these words at a dramatic reading at a packed auditorium (over 3,000 people in Berkeley CA). the woman reading it, Aya de Leon, was filled with a passion i expect i would have heard from Douglass himself.

Frederick Douglass, former slave, extraordinary speaker and writer, wrote in his Rochester newspaper the North Star, January 21, 1848, of "the present disgraceful, cruel, and iniquitous war with our sister republic. Mexico seems a doomed victim to Anglo Saxon cupidity and love of dominion." Douglass was scornful of the unwillingness of opponents of the war to take real action (even the abolitionists kept paying their taxes):

The determination of our slaveholding President to prosecute the war, and the probability of his success in wringing from the people men and money to carry it on, is made evident, rather than doubtful, by the puny opposition arrayed against him. No politician of any considerable distinction or eminence seems willing to hazard his popularity with his party ... by an open and unqualified disapprobation of the war. None seem willing to take their stand for peace at all risks; and all seem willing that the war should be carried on, in some form or other.

And speaking of our nation's prophets, and those who do take real risks for peace, this past week marked the anniversary of one of the most powerful public protests against the Vietnam War.

On May 17th, 1968, Nine people, including Father Daniel Berrigan and his brother Father Phillip Berrigan, entered a draft board and removed draft files of those who were about to be sent to Viet Nam. They took these files outside and burned them with home-made napalm, a weapon commonly used on civilians by the U.S. forces. They then awaited their arrest by authorities. The following is the statement Dan Berrigan read in court during their trial.

Some ten or twelve of us (the number is still uncertain)

will, if all goes well (ill?) take our religious bodes

during this week

to a draft center in or near Baltimore

There we shall of purpose and forethought

remove the 1-A files sprinkle them in the public street

with home-made napalm and set them afire

For which act we shall beyond doubt

be placed behind bars for some portion of our natural lives

in consequence of our inability

to live and content in the plagued city

to say "peace peace" when there is no peace

to keep the poor poor

the thirsty and hungry thirsty and hungry

Our apologies good friends

for the fracture of good order the burning of paper

instead of children the angering of the orderlies

in the front parlor of the charnel house

We could not so help us God do otherwise

For we are sick at heart our hearts

give us no rest for thinking of the Land of Burning Children

The rest of the statement can be seen here
http://www.tomjoad.org/catonsville9.htm

Keep resisting. Don't give up. It's always been up to you, not the politicians.

[rwenos]

1. In Wheeler Aud?

Thanks for the strong words. Seems like in the old days (for me, Vietnam Era) there were more people with the cojones to get arrested. No brag on my part -- I've got a disabled wife and 14 year old kid, and would lose my professional license if I were arrested.

But thanks.

[Tom Joad]

2. I don't think being arrested is the only way to fight the war. But i do think

we all need to do something beyond voting every couple years.

[Tom Joad]

4. Berkeley Community Theatre. just packed it out I swear it was one beatiful night.

[rwenos]

5. Wish I was there

First visit there was in the early 1960's. Great venue. Also the patio outside has been the site of many an angry speech.

[Gregorian]

3. Thanks. I have to admit something.

Nothing is any different now than it ever has been. Not in the tide of evil versus good, at least.

And I admit to being as foolish as the Bush administration. They have a war on terrorism which is a futility. I have honestly thought that through hard work I could get the world to see past the evil, and side with good. But I now see that at best it is a continuous struggle to keep evil at bay. We do have the advantage though.