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Letters to the Editor

Current protests aren’t similar to 1960s version

I would like to take issue with Jeff Brubaker’s editorial printed in the March 6 edition of the Skiff. Brubaker’s opinion seems to lack any kind of actual insight into his proposed comparison between the anti-war protests of the 1960s and those of peace activists today.

First of all, Brubaker asserts that hundreds of thousands of Americans have “taken to the streets” recently to protest President Bush’s plans for war with Iraq. Really? I hadn’t noticed. If the protest held here on our own campus is any indication of just how many people are flooding the streets to voice their dissent, then I am sure the administration is thinking twice about moving forward.

Furthermore, Brubaker implies that there is a significant number of people in this country who regard the peace movement of the ‘60s as a “blip on the political radar screens.” This is ludicrous. Even those who, at the time, believed whole-heartedly that the United States should stay in Vietnam until victory was accomplished, would now agree that the anti-war protests of the time greatly influenced and changed the landscape of our country, socially and politically.

Another assertion on Brubaker’s part that seemed rather naïve was the way he downplayed our forefathers as “protesters of their government.” They may have started out as protesters, but if Brubaker intends to draw some kind of similarity between the framers and protesters of the current situation then he must be implying that a revolt is next.

I believe I understand what Brubaker is trying to express in his piece. The people of this country are ensured the right to speak and assemble freely, no matter what they want to say. I agree with Brubaker. However, comparing our current state of affairs to the social and political statement of the 1960s anti-war, anti-establishment movement is a massive overstatement, wrought with a lack of respect and knowledge of just how dedicated and incensed those protesters were. I would love to see our society get that excited about anything in this day and age.

I totally support this administration and its current actions in the United Nations and in the Middle East, but I would be absolutely impressed to see hundreds of thousands of people in the streets standing up for what they believe is right. However, I don’t think it’s going to happen. The “flower-power” train may not have left the station yet, but the apathy train pulled away a long time ago. Just look around.

— Justin Meeks, senior speech communication major