People's History: Unreported Resistance 1980-92 (Chap 22)
The Way It Is, Bruce Hornsby and the RangeGregorian Chant by vocal ensemble Coral Vértice
Stand By Me, Playing For Change Peace Through Music
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Summary Against all odds, throughout the years of warlike attitudes and fears of communists, we still beheld a silent faction that rebelled. Chapter A system built on military needs, a "larceny against the poor," has faced resistance, somewhat quietly, throughout the years. The Berrigans and other pacifist dissenting Christians "beat the swords to plowshares" to resist the arms expansion. Ronald Reagan's warlike policies inspired the 4 of every 5 insisting on a freeze to start a movement led by women, doctors, scientists, and bishops, as our warlike leaders chased the 'communists' through foreign countries. Reagan aided the El Salvador dictatorship while government elected to ignore the protests. Reagan tried to dominate South Africa, and intervened in Nicaragua while America (The People) disagreed. He wouldn't listen. His response to poverty and crime? With Presidential nonchalance, cut funding, fill the jails. Republicans and Democrats alike were part of it, like governmental acrobats avoiding contact with the issues. Social programs? No, because the people don't want taxes. But the surveys show they do! For health and education, tax the very rich and cut the military, implement a budget switch to help the poor. When People try to speak, the government and business world and military simply circumvent the interruption. But the nineties brought Latinos, gays, and women to the stage again, against the odds, to raise awareness. Part of Gulf War strategy was "shock and awe," allowing bombers to destroy the foe and then withdraw before the protests started. Protests happened anyway, a hundred thousand marched on Washington. And underway as well were soldier boycotts: nothing in Iraq to brag about, or die for! There's "no glory in a folded flag," an army widow told the world. Suggestions of Saddam's concessions were ignored by Mister Bush, and so the bombs continued, and it "saved us from the peacetime dividend," said those who feared the military spending spree would end. |