‘Dissent Protects Our Democracy’
U.S.A, 24 June 03 (Newsday)--
By Jody Williams
The Student Briefing Page sometimes asks prominent people to offer advice on how to make a difference in the world. Today's essay is from 1997 Nobel Peace Prize laureate Jody Williams.
Dear Students,
We are living through very difficult times. Sometimes, it seems like there are so many big problems facing us that it is impossible to help bring about positive change. Sometimes, it even can seem like we are not really free to express our opinions about what is happening both in our own country and around the world.
Since the horrible terrorist attacks on the United States in September 2001, and with the ensuing wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, it can be hard for each of us to figure out for ourselves what we believe is right and wrong. If we do not agree with the predominant point of view, we can be called "unpatriotic" or, sometimes, even worse. I believe that these days, daring to voice your opinion, daring to find out different information from a variety of sources, can be acts of courage.
Thankfully, we still do live in a country where we can express our opinions, including coming out publicly for or against government policies. I recently chose to express my views by participating in and speaking at demonstrations against the war in Iraq. One such activity resulted in my being arrested - along with sister Nobel Peace Prize laureate Mairead Corrigan Maguire, Bishops Thomas J. Gumbleton and C. Joseph Sprague, Daniel Ellsberg and about 60 other people - when we tried to express our opinions in Lafayette Park in front of the White House.
People may not agree with my decision to do so, but I chose civil disobedience as a way to underscore some of the rights that we still do have in this country: freedom of assembly and freedom of expression. Contrary to what some say, I believe that dissent protects our democracy. Particularly when so much of what we hear and see seems to give only one side of the story.
Chris Hedges, a non-pacifist war correspondent for about 20 years - with NPR, The Christian Science Monitor and now The New York Times - writes in his new book, "War Is a Force That Gives Us Meaning": "The effectiveness of the myths peddled in war is powerful. We often come to doubt our own perceptions. We hide these doubts, like troubled believers, sure that no one else feels them. We feel guilty. The myths have determined not only how we should speak but how we should think. The doubts we carry, the scenes we see that do not conform to the myth are hazy, difficult to express, unsettling. And as the atrocities mount, as civil liberties are stripped away (something, with the "war on terror," already happening to hundreds of thousands of immigrants in the United States), we struggle uncomfortably with the jargon and cliches. But we have trouble expressing our discomfort because the collective shout has made it hard for us to give words to our thoughts. This self-doubt is aided by the monstrosity of war.... "
I think the most important thing that education can give young people is the ability to question things and to learn how to find information from a variety of points of view to figure out what they think for themselves. We must be educated in such a way that we can hear ourselves think over the "collective shout."
I remember the first time, when I was in my second year of high school, that the commonly held views of American history were challenged in a classroom. I was shocked, angry and did not believe any of it. The single most important thing I have ever learned in any and all of my years in school is what I learned from that one class - and that was that history is written by those who "win." There are always many, many more sides to history than what one reads in a textbook - or too often hears on the evening news. If you want to really open up your mind, you have to be willing to find out as much information as you can, from as many sources as you can.
I have spent the past 20 years of my life on a daily basis working to make this planet a little bit better for everyone on it. I love my country, but not to the exclusion of the humanity that unites us all. I love my country enough to struggle to try to see it be consistent in policy and in action around the world - even now, in these very difficult times. I believe that everything we do makes a difference in the world. We may not immediately see the results of our actions, but they do matter. And all of the actions of each and every individual add up to bring about change.
Finally, some say that to get peace you must prepare for war. I believe that you get what you prepare for. We must learn the value of peace education. We must learn from the very first days we go to school about conflict mediation and nonviolent conflict resolution. If we want a world where peace reigns, we must educate ourselves to create that world.
Sincerely,
Jody Williams
A Nobel Profile
Jody Williams was the founding coordinator of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines headquartered in Fredericksburg, Va. Working with governments, the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross, her group achieved in 1997 the goal of an international treaty banning the use, production, stockpiling and transfer of antipersonnel land mines. For their efforts, both she and the Campaign were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize that year. The treaty has been ratified by 134 countries and signed by 147. The United States has not signed the treaty.
Her group's Web site is www.icbl.org On the site, you also can find the Youth Action Forum, a site by youth for youth, to help you learn about the land mine issue and take action. You can also write directly to Jody Williams, Ambassador, International Campaign to Ban Landmines, 663 Lancaster St., Fredericksburg, VA 22405.
Student's Voices
How You Are Inspired
We asked what choices you will make to build a better world and what kind of "masterpiece" you hope to make of yourself.
I hope to grow up being an honest, truthful, trusting person, someone who can help others who are having a more difficult time in life. I believe that if you try hard and are a good person, you will be rewarded somehow. If you give some good to the world, the world will give back some good to you. -Tatiana Pesa, grade 5, Kramer Lane Elementary School, Plainview
I hope to help spread peace throughout the world. That's something I think we all owe to America. -Amanda Sciarrotta, grade 7, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Lindenhurst
To change America, you can start with helping out your school, for instance forming clubs or developing new activities. I would like to do that in my school because all those little things add up to something big in the end. -Mary Kate Kelly, grade 6, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Lindenhurst
COMPILED BY KIM NAVA-FIORIO
Copyright 2003, Newsday. All Rights Reserved.
