Ceylon Mooney
The recent conflict and violence taken against the anti-war demonstrators at Kent State University (Airhart and KSAWC) calls to attention other incidents a bit bloodier, a bit more famous, and a bit more lethal. Let’s hope it doesn’t get that far, and let’s hope these young folks have the courage to continue their witness, knowing that they’ll be under attack and under arrest by their community and its agents. I hope these incidents of violence do not continue to escalate–either in these wars or at home against those who, at tremendous risk, remind us that we are not powerless to stop this stupid war by doing something about it.
It has ALWAYS been the tradition in our nation that those who hunger or thirst for righteousness must struggle against the prevailing beliefs of our institutions of authority and power by placing themselves in harm’s way to move our society one step closer to sanity. Let us not be like these institutions of power, which take all the credit for advancing this society, when their role is nothing more than giving in to the will of the ordinary people after tremendous sacrifice and struggle; let’s instead be like these young people here, maintaining the struggle, that we may move foreward. These young folks are writing history, and, as all who work for positive change in a society, are unjustly paying the price.
Kent State has much to learn, and, like any institution or individual unwilling to se its own wrongdoing, will lash out against those who show it right. Let’s hope that Airhart and Co. maintain their efforts and press on.
Ceylon Mooney
Co-coordinator,
Voices for Creative Nonviolence
Wheels of Justice Tour