Friends, I know that PEN-L is more than just an academic list (hey, this is a praise, not an insult) but nevertheless I wanted to forward this from WSN to PEN-L. The original can be found here:
http://csf.colorado.edu/mail/wsn/2002/msg00481.html and I chopped the e-mail Yonca, the author of the message below, forwarded to WSN. Here is another website, a Canadian sent in response her message: http://www.globalartinfo.com/artist/ione_citrin/index.html#pics He suggested clicking on "tears" there. Sabri ------ Original message -------- My Dear Collegues, There have been a lot of messages coming through this list that focus on the violence going on in the Middle East. I don't know if it is appropriate to do it here, but I would like to call all of you to do something about what is going on in Palestine. I know this is a list designed to do academic discussions, but considering the philosophy of this list, I believe we should (and can) do more than just discussing among ourselves because it simply does not change anything. I really enjoy the discussions in this list. I find these theoretical debates useful to improve my thinking and enrich my academic work. However, it seems everything remains at the theoretical level. What we do here unfortunately does not improve the conditions of people who are suffering right now. In my own humble country (Turkey), and even in another humble country in which I work (Mexico), academics are in the forefront of political criticism and opposition to human rights violations, inequalities and other injustices. A lot of them are part of what we may call progressive political movements and organizations. I am amazed by the pacifism of the American ones. How can academics be that much separated from the real life? (I know there are academics involved in practical work, but I am afraid most are not the "critical" ones.) I know a lot of people in this list are from other countries, but I am assuming that the majority is from the US. The US has most of the influential academics in social sciences. Can't you/we do something more than theoretical debates? I was in the ISA Convention last week in New Orleans. Every year I enjoy the panels there. Most of the papers presented are critical ones that point out social, political and economic injustices. But at the same time, when I step out of the Convention hotel, I wonder how much these discussions are connected to what is actually going on. No matter how much we criticize neoliberalism, for instance, it is there spreading with full speed through national and international institutions. And our discussions simply do not change that trend much. It just gives me pain to watch what has been going on in the world, particularly in the Middle East as it looks like the one that needs the most urgent attention now. It does not matter to which religion or nation we belong to. What matters is that we are just watching violence and massacre. It may feel like it is a problem far out there, but it is a real human tragedy which none of us can ignore. For centuries human beings have been doing the mistake of remaining passive in the face of tragedies of this kind. Usually, before they finally decide to do something, a lot of lives are lost, suffering is deepened, and a lot of hatred is spread to produce an even more unsafe future for all. What is going on in Palestine is very very unacceptable. Most of the people who are in this list are here because they have critical minds. If we are more aware of the world's injustices, inequalities, and suffering compared to the rest of the people, there should be a way to use our intellectual power and try to reverse these problems. You may think I am naive to think about such a possibility of making a change, but I rather be naive and take the responsibility than be passive and let things continue. Yes, the hegemony is strong, and yes, the international institutions are coopted, but we can do a little attempt to change that order, I guess. Or at least show to the leaders that what they have been doing is unacceptable for us and we want them to stop it. Ideas inspire people, but it is eventually people who do changes. In short, words cannot stop the violence going on, but actions can. I am aware that what we can do is quite limited. However, at least we can prepare a petition letter for the Israeli government that is responsible of this tragedy and the US government that is encouraging it some kind of a written condemnation letter. Or you may encourage such a movement in the organizations you belong to. Because I am not a senior academician nor a citizen of a developed country, I believe I am not the right person to lead this. There are so many known names in this list. I believe we can be more influential than we are now. And if there is already an academic movement like the one I suggested, please inform me about it. If there is any other kind of action we can take, I would also appreciate your ideas. I hope one of you can come up with a more effective plan than mine. Sorry if I have asked for something inappropriate and thanks for reading my mail and for your possible cooperation. Regards to all, Mtra. Yonca Ozdemir Depto. Relaciones Internacionales Tec De Monterrey (ITESM) MÉXICO PS: To have more information about the extent of violence, please see the below attached message.
