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A Community of Learning
By priscillafairbank on 2008-11-22 07:44:55
One of the things I like about the peace community is all the learning and sharing that is constantly taking place. Every day
I receive emails about talks by experts, panel discussions, documentaries, action alerts, letter writing campaigns, and
petitions. Each presents an opportunity for me to learn something new - sometimes facts and sometimes a new way of
looking at an issue. Part of the learning experience for me is keeping everything in perspective: not all "facts" are
consistent, we all view things with filters based on our experiences and values, and it is always useful to ask "why" a
particular view is being espoused.
The internet, email, and listserves have been tremendous assets for sharing information. During the Vietnam War, there
were "teach-ins". We physically gathered together and listened to those who were more knowledgeable, often professors of
history and political science. Today we have instant access to alternative news sources such as Truthout or Common
Dreams or Al Jazeera, just to name a few. Locally, we have the Activist Resource Calendar of events in the Hudson Valley;
this is available as a daily email. Many of the Washington think tanks, institutes, and lobbying groups also make their
research available to the public. Some groups send regular emails encouraging readers to contact their Congressional
Representatives in support of or against a particular position.
Since my visit to Iran a year ago with Fellowship of Reconciliation as a citizen diplomat, I have been immersed in learning
more about Iran and Iranian-American relations and in sharing this with others. Currently, there are great expectations of the
potential for new and positive dialogue between the U.S. and Iran. This week, at a conference in Washington sponsored by
the National Iranian American Council titled "Can Obama Untangle the Iranian Challenge?" a new report was released. This
Joint Experts' Statement on Iran sets out a five step strategy for a new relationship with Iran and presents eight
misconceptions about Iran. One of the project partners, Just Foreign Policy, is circulating this statement and encouraging
constituents to share it with their Congressional Representatives and ask for their support for direct diplomacy with Iran.
The resources are many and there is so much to learn. Let us all make an effort to be better informed and more involved;
our democracy will benefit.
