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What can we do to counter hate and violence? Guest post
by Dan Wilcox
By mickielynn on 2016-11-22 12:40:30
Dan Wilcox June 2016, Albany NY. photo by Don Levy[/caption] On the Monday after the Election many of us gathered for
the peace vigil in Delmar organized by Bethlehem Neighbors for Peace. This was not unusual as each Monday since 2003
we have held a peace vigil at the 4 Corners from 5:00PM to 6:00PM. What was unusual was that instead of the usual 5 or 6
folks that usually show up with signs & flags deploring war & advocating peace, there were 30 or more people gathered
there with signs promoting love, not hate, in addition to our usual message of peace. A sleeping giant is awakened. Since
the day after the Elections there have been postings on Face Book & other social media asking “what can I do?” from people
who, while sympathetic to social justice causes, now feel that they have not “done enough.” And, perhaps because I am
known in the community as a peace activist (& poet) & am frequently seen in public at vigils, rallies & marches wearing a
hat, or sweatshirt, or pin that says “Veterans For Peace,” some folks have approached me with that same question: what can
Ido? We are all busy. People have jobs, run businesses, have children, spouses, partners, family members to care for — or
all of the above. I am retired & have the pleasant luxury of being able to devote more time than most to “doing something.”
I can get to the vigil in Delmar most Mondays of the year, but there was a time in my life when I too had a 9 to 5 job, a
family to support & care for. Even then I managed to fit in peace vigils (& poetry events) when I could because these were
things that were important to me, they were a part of my life, just as was my family, my job. So, at the prodding of friends, I
would like to offer some suggestions to folks who feel that they need to do more for, & in, our community, to create more
good & counter hate & violence, with some thoughts as well for our more experienced activists thrown in.
e Pick a cause or organization that is meaningful to you. You don’t have to join every group. There are many local
groups & national organizations with local chapters, such as Planned Parenthood, Upper Hudson Peace Action, People
of Albany United for Safe Energy, Citizen Action, Capital Area Against Mass Incarceration, Women Against War, the
Pride Center — these are only examples, there are plenty more. Find one you care about. Talk to people you know in
the community who are involved in these & other causes & use the internet.
e Join social media groups &/or email lists to stay informed about what is going on. You don’t have to go to every event
you see, or even read all the emails (that’s what the “delete” button is for), but something may spark your interest & at
that lecture or film or rally you will meet others.
e Find the thing that you can do to help. In the past I would say anyone can stuff envelopes, & while that is less
prevalent now in the digital age, it is also a metaphor for all the little things that need to be done. Sometimes just
showing up is enough, or that call to the office of your member of Congress.
¢ Related to that is that you don’t have to blow out your calendar with activities — find what fits with your busy
schedule. If each of those 30+ folks who showed up in Delmar on the Monday after the election showed up just once a
month each on the Monday that fits their schedule, there would be more people there each week.
e Take care of yourself. I have heard activists make excuses because they wanted to go out to dinner, or take a vacation.
If we get burned out then we can’t do what needs to be done. Relax, put your feet up (or go for a run), have a beer, or
a cup of tea, or a glass of wine, take the night off, laugh. It’s good for you & for the other people in your life. Those
causes will be there for you in the morning.
¢ & while out standing vigil or at a rally, smile. As the saying goes, “peace starts here.”
I look forward to seeing you out there working to make a better, more tolerant, peaceful world. Dan Wilcox is a poet &
peace activist. He hosts the Third Thursday Poetry Night at the Social Justice Center in Albany & is a member of Veterans
For Peace. Editor's Note: For decades now Dan has been doing just what he's recommended in his article. He has appeared
in support of man ‘sf mailiis local vigils, rallies, discussions and events, and hosts an annual reading of
pp y' g g
John Hersey's descriptive book, every August 6th (the anniversary of the dropping of the first atomic bomb on
that city in 1945). Here's a small gallery of photos of Dan acting as an ally in all kinds of weather and all seasons during
recent times in the Capital District. Hope that you enjoy it. [caption id="attachment_9081" align="alignleft" width="400"]
rail:
Dan Wilcox speaking on behalf of Veterans for Peace at the "Chuck Schumer Change Your Mind Rally." Photo by Mabel
Leon[/caption] [caption id="attachment_9086" align="alignright" width="600"]
F Dan Wilcox of VFP at an anti weaponized
drone vigil. photo by Jon Flanders[/caption] [caption id="attachment_7768" align="alignnone" width="600"]
Don't bomb ~~~ talk,
negotiate, cooperate in international actions. End Endless War Vigil. Photo by Mabel Leon, March,21, 2015[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_6863" align="alignright" width="600"]
: 4 Veteran for Peace, Dan
Wilcox, April 22, 2015, photo by Mabel Leon, Earth Day Vigil, Albany NY {/caption] [caption id="attachment_5061"
align="alignnone" width="600"]
Wolf Road side of the demonstration including Dan Wilcox, one of our Veterans for Peace (Tom Paine chapter) allies Anti-
Drone vigil, 10/17/2013, photo by Mabel Leon[/caption] [caption id="attachment_9080" align="alignright" width="600"]
A End Racism Now, Grannies for Peace Tulip
Fest vigil in Washington Park. Photo by Mabel Leon[/caption] [caption id="attachment_9075" align="alignleft"
width="480" le. Dan and Grannies, 2016 Tulip Fest. Photo by
Harry Thornhill[/caption] [caption id="attachment_9073" align="alignleft" width="403"]
a Veterans for Peace flag flying at Valentine's
Day vigil. Photo by Jeanne Finley[/caption] [caption id="attachment_9087" align="alignleft" width="535"]
after a Make Guantanamo History march. Photo by Ellen Davidson
Pat leafleting pedestrians, Elliot Adams and Dan Wilcox of Veterans for Peace getting situated at the Albany courthouse after
a Make Guantanamo History march. Photo by Ellen Davidson[/caption] [caption id="attachment_9089" align="alignleft"
width="600" ||: Valentine's vigil photo by Jeanne Finley Valentine's vigil photo by Jeanne Finley[/caption] [caption
id="attachment_9084" align="alignright" width="600"]
lw iHazel and Dan and view of the Park. Earth Day Vigil, Photo by Mabel Leon Hazel and Dan and view of the Park. Earth
Day Vigil, 2015, Photo by Mabel Leon[/caption] [caption id="attachment_9090" align="alignleft" width="600"]
\®Grannies Valentine's Day vigil, 2/13/2016. Photo by Michael P. Farrell/TU Grannies Valentine's Day vigil, 2/13/2016.
Photo by Michael P. Farrell/TU[/caption]
