Report from Peace Action's National Congress
by Greg Field, Executive Director
With discussions of our program focus, excellent workshops on organizing
skills, and some truly inspiring speakers, the Peace Action National
Congress, held in Princeton, N.J. from November 7-9, was an exciting
weekend. Hosted by central New Jersey's Coalition for Peace Action, the
annual meeting offered peace and justice activists the opportunity to share
strategy and celebrate being together.
Skills-building workshops on topics such as Media and Messaging offered tips
and real examples of how to get our message out through the media in both
ads and through free or "earned" media via press events and public actions.
Program-focused events included sessions on Globalization and Indigenous
Peoples and Dialogues on Terrorism. Of course, some of the most valuable
learning moments were the informal conversations held over food and drink,
as people came together and shared their insight into our common goals.
The speakers were on everyone's list of Congress highlights. Phyllis Bennis
from the Institute for Policy Studies offered sparkling analysis of the
links between the predatory globalization underway since the first Bush and
Clinton presidencies and the "wars of choice" which the latter Bush has
embraced. Rep. Barbara Lee wowed the audience with her commitment to
progressive renewal. But it was Cornel West who most held the crowd in sway.
West asked us all to consider what "it means to be a decent human being ... to
be a compassionate person in this time of empire." He answered that in part,
we need to find our answers in all the great cultural traditions that shape
modern America: the Socratic tradition that requires of all of us to be
reflective — to examine our self and our community; the Abrahamic tradition
where moral force is derived and fed by prophetic speaking; and finally, by
the African-American tradition, to learn and embrace democratic culture at a
time when our "whole nation has the blues."
Next year's Congress is slated for New Mexico.
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Winter, 2003 - 2004