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perceptions here...
I'm seeing some connections here, and will throw them out for your consideration----
"We bled inside each other's wounds" During the protests of Vietnam, there was, indeed, more of a connection between us. I look at those pictures from those times, and I *feel* more of that connection. We weren't isolated bodies, assembled for a scene. I can't put it into words--maybe you can help me with that, especially you veterans--but we had a commitment towards each other, too. No, we weren't perfect, we made mistakes, and we were learning by the seat of our pants. BUT, there were some important differences, and they need to be said.
It wasn't just our numbers. We built communities. Maybe it was because most of us had some form of non-violence training. It wasn't just a matter of putting on some costume and lettering a sign. We took the dictum "Let there be peace, and let it begin with me" seriously. We learned how to interact with those who disagreed. We had kind words for each other, rather than the verbal flipping off of others that I observe right here on DU. We hitchhiked, and picked each other up, and thereby constantly met "strangers" who became friends in the course of a ride. There weren't the barriers--both the barriers of individual differences ("you do your thing and I"ll do mine" was a credo), and the barriers of isolation by culture. We cheered each other on, and supported each other, rather than being seperated by our different struggles. Men provided child care and brought cookies for women's meetings; whites and other cultures attended the rallies of the Indians at Alcatraz, the farm workers etc; straights supported gays and gays supporters others in their struggles for rights; in short, we were there for each other, celebrated our various struggles and cultural differences and recognized that we either came together and listened to and helped each other, or none of us would make it, rather than tearing each other down and finding each small difference and amplifying it and splitting ourselves into smaller and smaller units.
One thing that made a huge difference in our effectiveness, and our ability to grow and learn was that we met before each action and discussed our goals and means to reach those goals. After each action, we came together and "processed" it by sharing our feelings and observations, and distilled what that meant for the next action. We LISTENED to each other, and LEARNED from each other in these ways, rather than simply congratulating ourselves on another thumbing of our noses at authority and going our separate ways.
During the action, we were aware of each other, and what was happening. If we saw somebody being hassled by cops, we found out what was happening. During the actions I've participated in, I've even seen people hauled off, and nobody bothers to find out who it was, and where they were taken, so there is no followup to learn if they need help, etc. It's everyone for themselves. That doesn't create a strong community which gives people the strength to keep it up over the long haul.
In short, we've lost that sense of connection. We've lost that sense of creating peace between ourselves, as well as our goal for peace across the world. We've toughened, and in the process, lost that sense of safety with each other. That leaves us more vulnerable to the tactics of our adversaries, and much less committed to speaking out on behalf of each other (as we witnessed with the tasering at the university, being lamented in other threads.)
Are we willing to bleed inside each others wounds again? Are we willing to give up the tough language we fling at each other in order to strenghten our links with each other? Are we willing to again make it more possible to create the safety so we can again be more vulnerable with each other? Are we willing to listen more and confront less?
At some point, we need to stand back and observe ourselves objectively, and look at what part we play in some of the disintegration of peacemaking. We need to decide if it's important enough to create a peaceful community between ourselves.
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