|
Washington Peace Letter
Washington Peace Center
The Washington Peace Letter is published monthly for the social justice community of the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. Its purpose is to support local, national and international struggles against oppression. It seeks to present a radical analysis of current events, covering information not readily available in the corporate media.
The Peace Letter welcomes submissions of calendar announcements, articles, letters to the Editor, and artwork from the progressive community. Articles may be from 300-1200 words, but may be edited for space considerations. Preference is given to materials that cover actions or organizing campaigns in the D.C. metropolitan area.
We reserve the right to select or reject any submission.
Except as noted, Peace Letter items are copyright free and may be reproduced. Please give credit and send us a copy if you do use something.
The Washington Peace Letter is a project of the Peace Talks Working Group of the Washington Peace Center. If you are interested in joining us, call!
|
At the Peace Center
By Brian Anders
August/September 2004
Volume 40, Number 2
As we continue our struggle for a fair and just society, the Peace Center
finds itself at a crossroads. Our nation is involved in a global war
on terrorism, with an intelligent and evolving enemy.
Yet we also have a war on the streets, as our youth are increas-ingly turning to violence to resolve petty differences. Our government is spending billions of tax dollars to rebuild Iraq, while our school systems go under-funded and many other social service programs are overwhelmed with requests for food, healthcare, treatment for drug/alcohol addiction and affordable housing.
In this, one of the most important election years in history, it has become apparent that the needs of the many are outweighed by the greed of the few. Our children will grow up in a world dominated by the fear of unnamed sources with information about unknown attacks from an unknown enemy. Of course, the news we receive comes from news outlets that are owned by the same corporate businesses that benefit from close relationships with lawmakers on Capitol Hill.
Acknowledging such conflict of interest as we seek to address the things that matter to the people in our community, it is difficult to know who to trust and where to go – which is why you are going to see something different in this issue of the Peace Letter.
While we feel that the war on terror is important, there is also a war for survival in the streets. Iraqis need hospitals and health care, but we must also recognize that thousands of working people in this country cannot afford health insurance. Housing, education, employment, and all the things that a truly democratic society should provide for its citizens’ welfare, are the things that many of us fight for everyday.
In addition to our regular reporting on global events, we will be discussing not only problems, but also how to create solutions and to develop future leaders who will continue the work we began 40 years ago.
Come join us at the Peace Center, as we strive to be a beacon for anyone seeking to create a world without war, poverty and suffering.
There has been an infusion of energy at the Peace Center with the addition of eight community activists to the Board and a new Coordinator, Brian Anders, also a seasoned activist. Brian has successfully recruited interns to help with various projects, including this Peace Letter.
Special thanks to John Judge, interim coordinator, and to board members Kit Bonson and Polly Stamatopoulos for keeping the work going during difficult times and for recruiting and embracing the new Board.
We’re excited about what the Peace Center can and will accomplish during these challenging times. We hope you will plug in!
|