Let's get to work!!!
it's time for action
peaceful vigils, rallies, demonstrations are a good start.
we've already amassed a number of them.
the problem is, there were double or triple the number of demonstrations against the war on Iraq yet those leeches in the govt continue to multiply their attacks.
we have to come up with other ways to stop this massacre, this exodus!
today 700,000 displaced from their homes.
that's almost ONE THIRD of the lebanese population!!!
MASS EXODUS AND MASS MASSACRE!
we have to spread the word to the american public, all angles of the american public and not just the intellectual elite, who already knows about this.
and pull from there.
1. know your facts - be prepared for debates, for intelligent and reasonable argument. i've been staying up going back in history and reading. i admit there are many things i didn't know about. loads of things. we have a very complicated history, the whole region does, but it is very important to corroborate our stories with facts, in case we're cornered.
this war is already on wikipedia so click to read about it. maybe we can even contribute to writing the facts on wikipedia if we're systematic and methodical.
2. make a folder - and document any war crime you read or hear about. we'll use this, if not now, then in the future. history will NOT be written by the stronger side this time.
3. write, write, and write! - email or comment to newspapers, online news sources, etc. the approach should be from a humanitarian perspective, that we want to stop the blood shed, but also should include the words massacre and infrastructure, as well as siege. and 'disproportionate reaction'. talk about the sufferings of our families, of losses, and that what israel calls 'collateral damage' is actually innocent people, too many innocent people, dying. you can quote the israeli journalist Daniel Levy on that.
this is a link that provides you with an easy way to write one letter to many newspapers and tells you what NP's are in your area. it also gives you contact info for senators/congresspeople in your area.
-call your congresspeople to get an appointment, or write to them. the only people i heard were doing this so far were 2 of my american friends, so encourage everyone opposed to this war to do it. numbers matter.
-target local papers: you can have the story 'land' in their laps (ie pay them a visit) and bring photos, footage, stories etc with you. they'll love it. or you can write a letter to the editor.
-i'd also target the big ones - NY times, Washington Post and Chicago Tribune. edit and re-edit letters, make them moderate enough to be publisheable.
-talk shows are a good idea - Oprah deals with humanitarian issues, so we should contact her through email (we needs tons of emails) to suggest she dedicates a segment to the middle east crisis. mention that in your email and talk about the impending humanitarian disaster we're facing. put statistics but also sentiment and personal examples of grief.
4. PERSIST: people will stop talking abt this in a few days, it's up to us to keep it going
5. i don't have much hope that anyone can do anything, but whatever hope and energy we have left, we should channel productively.
ouff! circulate this if u want.
peaceful vigils, rallies, demonstrations are a good start.
we've already amassed a number of them.
the problem is, there were double or triple the number of demonstrations against the war on Iraq yet those leeches in the govt continue to multiply their attacks.
we have to come up with other ways to stop this massacre, this exodus!
today 700,000 displaced from their homes.
that's almost ONE THIRD of the lebanese population!!!
MASS EXODUS AND MASS MASSACRE!
we have to spread the word to the american public, all angles of the american public and not just the intellectual elite, who already knows about this.
and pull from there.
1. know your facts - be prepared for debates, for intelligent and reasonable argument. i've been staying up going back in history and reading. i admit there are many things i didn't know about. loads of things. we have a very complicated history, the whole region does, but it is very important to corroborate our stories with facts, in case we're cornered.
this war is already on wikipedia so click to read about it. maybe we can even contribute to writing the facts on wikipedia if we're systematic and methodical.
2. make a folder - and document any war crime you read or hear about. we'll use this, if not now, then in the future. history will NOT be written by the stronger side this time.
3. write, write, and write! - email or comment to newspapers, online news sources, etc. the approach should be from a humanitarian perspective, that we want to stop the blood shed, but also should include the words massacre and infrastructure, as well as siege. and 'disproportionate reaction'. talk about the sufferings of our families, of losses, and that what israel calls 'collateral damage' is actually innocent people, too many innocent people, dying. you can quote the israeli journalist Daniel Levy on that.
this is a link that provides you with an easy way to write one letter to many newspapers and tells you what NP's are in your area. it also gives you contact info for senators/congresspeople in your area.
-call your congresspeople to get an appointment, or write to them. the only people i heard were doing this so far were 2 of my american friends, so encourage everyone opposed to this war to do it. numbers matter.
-target local papers: you can have the story 'land' in their laps (ie pay them a visit) and bring photos, footage, stories etc with you. they'll love it. or you can write a letter to the editor.
-i'd also target the big ones - NY times, Washington Post and Chicago Tribune. edit and re-edit letters, make them moderate enough to be publisheable.
-talk shows are a good idea - Oprah deals with humanitarian issues, so we should contact her through email (we needs tons of emails) to suggest she dedicates a segment to the middle east crisis. mention that in your email and talk about the impending humanitarian disaster we're facing. put statistics but also sentiment and personal examples of grief.
4. PERSIST: people will stop talking abt this in a few days, it's up to us to keep it going
5. i don't have much hope that anyone can do anything, but whatever hope and energy we have left, we should channel productively.
ouff! circulate this if u want.
posted by rouba at
12:56 AM
4 Comments:
i think the 2 most important things you said are:
1--reaching the average person--the educated Americans who express an interest in the Middle East are already trying to understand and agree. the average person in the US, does not. it is incredibly difficult to find comprehensive unbiased information to educate yourself on the history of the conflicts in the Middle East, even as an educated person. the average American is not going to make the effort to seek out this information. the best way to make a change is to find appropriate sources and provide them to people. make it easy for people and they are more likely to listen to you. it is unfortunate, but true.
2--being persistent. if it is not constantly brought to people's attention--they will drift past it. even tragedies which directly impacted the US are not discussed after a few weeks.
the best thing that can be done is to continue to raise people's awareness. people with resources and opportunity owe that to marginalized populations.
the more personal a conflict becomes, the more likely a conflict will be noticed. that is, aquaint Americans with Lebonan: the people, culture, history, etc. continuing to infuse humanity back into understanding the conflict is the key. most Americans have an understanding based on politics presented by our media. this is simply inadequate and will not inspire resolution. an apreciation and love for a culture and it's people is what eventually brings about change.
By
Anonymous, at Sunday, July 23, 2006 5:33:00 PM
brit, i need your help on this one
gimme a call when u can
By
rouba, at Sunday, July 23, 2006 6:00:00 PM
there's a march aug 12 from atlanta to DC. i'll get you the info on that
By
Unknown, at Monday, July 24, 2006 12:01:00 AM
rouba you rock. i agree with you on all points, including writing as much as possible... please keep up the incredible work!
By
FZ, at Monday, July 24, 2006 8:26:00 PM
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