Friends Bulletin- Building the Western Quaker Community Since 1929-October 2001

24 Pages·2001·3.2 MB·English

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Friends Bufletin
"Building the Western Quaker October 2001
Community Since 1929" Volume 72 Number 8
^ hat happened in New York City Joe Volk
VV Executive
and Washington, DC, this week
Secretary of
will reverberate through our lives for The Friends
cgenerations to come. Committee on
“Let be a learning experience to build National
it
a better future ... NOT one that will tempt us Legislation
to fall back on old slogans and simple-
sounding answers. —
“None of us in safe ANYWHERE
in a world that has failed to expunge milita-
rism, injustice, inequality, poverty and
more.”
—Allan Solomonow, American Friends
Service Committee Middle EastProgram Director
in San Francisco, ata vigilco-sponsoredbyAFSC.
Seep. 16forFriends’Responses to theAttacks
on the World Trade Center, Pentagon, andCivilian
Aircraft.
Inside This Issue
“Keeping Faith in Discouraging Times,”
keynote address by Quaker lobbyist
Joe Volk, who hiked 1000 miies from
Missouia, Montana to South Beach,
Oregon, to speak at North Pacific
Yearly Meeting
« Responses to Jack Poweison’s article
on the World Trade Association
Peg Morton and Sandy Perry on
Economic Justice
Pictures, epistles and action minutes
from North Pacific Yearly Meeting
Friends Bulletin From the Editor Keeping faith in Discouraging times
The ofncial publication of A
Pacific, North Pacific and s this issue goes to press, the dust has not yet settled on the tragic events in New York
Intermountain Yearly
City and Washington, DC, the world is in shock and mourning, and the drums of war
Meetings ofthe Religious
Society ofFriends (Quakers) are starting to pound.
(Opinionsexpressedarethose Keeping our Quaker faith in these times of fear and war fever will not be easy. I am
oftheauthors, deeply grateful to the Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) and the American
notnecessarilyoftheYearfyMeetings.) Friends Service Committee (AFSC) for voicing some ofthe feelings and concerns ofFriends
Editor during these difficult times (see p. 16).
Anthony Manousos During North Pacific Yearly Meeting (NPYM), FCNL lobbyist Joe Volk shared his spiri-
5238 Andalucia Court tualjourney as a peacemaker and urged us to “keep faith in discouraging times.”
Whittier, CA 90601 This month’s Friends Bulletin features a wide range ofresponses to Jack Powelson’s arti-
Phone: [phone] cle on the World Trade Association (WTO). NPYM approved a minute on the WTO insisting
Fax: [phone] that trade agreements be linked with “human rights, including public health, sustainable envi-
FriendsBul(^ol.coni
ronmental practices, and the dignity and rights ofworkers.” Also proposed, but held over for
Web: www.quaker.org/fb
seasoning, was a minute asking us to look to our own possessions to see ifthey contain seeds
Alicya Malik ofeconomic injustice.
W
2693 Avenida Azahar The second minute challenged me to reflect on how to make more ethical choices as a con-
Tucson, AZ 85745
HenrySelters sumer. One way is to become involved in the fair-trade movement (which you can find out more
PO Box 12651 about by looking up “fair trade” or http://www.transfairusa.org/why/benefits.html on the Net).
NM
Albuquerque, 87195 Many Friends support the Interfaith Coffee Program, “a partnership between Equal
NPYM Corresponding Editors Exchange, faith-based development and relief organizations such as Lutheran World Relief
Don Goldstein and the American Friends Service Committee, small farmer co-ops, and individual churches
PO Box 1010 and congregations.” Ifyou want to support this effort by ordering fair-traded coffee or other
WA
Twisp, 98856 items for members of your Meeting, click on http://www.equalexchange.com/newpages/
Jean Triol
PO Box367 interfaith.html.
Somers, MT 59932 I look forward to receiving more articles on how to promote fair trade and economic jus-
PegMorton
tice.
510 Van Buren Street
Eugene, OR97402 When I published the pictures ofcrosses on the front cover ofthe July-August ofFriends
PYM Corresponding Editor Bulletin, I never imagined that I would be physically carrying them down to Mexico and
Marybeth Webster planting them around a cemetery. B—ut the Spirit works in surprising ways.
GPrOasBsoVxal2l8e4y3, CA 95945 for tThehepapsetofpilveeoyfeaMrasc—lovwiaontReodjatso hoanocorltohnoisae(wsehtotlhemaevnet)diwehderteryiInhgavtoectraoksesntQhueaUkSe/rMgerxoiucpos
Board ofDirectors border. They felt that the crosses created by San Diego artist Michael Schnorr and used in
LannyJay, Clerk demonstrations by the AFSC were an apt symbol for this transnational tragedy. In response to
18602 Old Monte Rio Rd
Guemeville, CA 95446 their request, our group of Quaker youth and adults carried these crosses in the blazing sun
Alan Chickering, Treasurer and planted them within sight of the rugged mountains where numerous Mexicans have died
1916 OranWgeASt SE, Apt B for the “crime” oftrying to come to the US to work and visit their families. Taking up these
Olympia, 98501
Anne Friend, Recording Clerk symbols of our xenophobia and flawed immigration policy proved to be a deeply moving
2649 Kenwood Ave
spiritual experience (see p. 7).
Los Angeles, CA 90007
Jeannie Graves
PMB 131 Box 8049 This fall we bid a fond adieu to three of our Board members. Mary Lou Coppock has
NewportBeach, CA 92658-8049 completed six years of dedicated service. Not only has she been an extremely generous and
MaryLouCoppock
514 EColgate self-giving Board member, she also displayed a wonderful sense of humor. Not long after a
Tempe, AZ 85283 Board meeting in which she tripped and broke her arm, Mary Lou cheerfully went to Yearly
Phyllis Hoge Meeting with a sign on her cast that read, “I fell for Friends Bulletin." I’m sorry to report that
213 Darmouth SE
Albuquerque, NM 87106 Mary Lou has had serious health problems lately, so please hold her in the Light. I also feel
Lisa Down deep gratitude for the enthusiastic spirit ofAlan Chickering, who served as treasurer and con-
PO Box 11197 WA tributed many valuable ideas and insights. Thanks are also due to Anne Friend, who served as
Bainbridge Island, 98110
Jim Kimball recording clerk.
3050 NW Lynwood Circle We appreciate all ofyou who support Friends Bulletin with encouraging words, constmc-
Corvallis, OR 97330
tive criticism, financial support, and articles.
Robert Griswold
1745 Cherry St
Denver, CO 80220
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Page 2 Friends Bulletin October 2001
Excerpts from Talks given at
North Pacific Yearly Meeting
And Friends General Conference
Summer 2001
BY Joe Volk
Executive Secretary of
The Friends Committee on
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National Legislation Left to right: AtAnderson, Joe Volk, JayPenniman, andJonathan Brown Staffphoto
A
s many ofyou know, I now work for
the first registered religious lobby in As one Friend said to me, “How can Journey to Quakerism
the United States, the Friends Committee you work with those slime bags in Wash-
on National Legislation (FCNL). Imagine ington?” Another Friend once asked me, On my birthday, Febmary 28, 1967,
the audacity of American Quakers in “How can you compromise yourself like just before midnight, in the cosmic still-
1943. In the midst ofa country totally mo- that? I could never go to Washington, DC, ness of a terribly cold winter’s night in
bilized for war and in the middle of a and compromise my religious beliefs like Oxford, Ohio, I stood in awe ofthe zenith
world war, they followed their leadings you do.” To these Friends, working in star and all the stars surrounding it. I
fi’om God to establish a lobby in this na- Washington, DC, on national legislation gradually lowered my head to see the arc
tion’s capital. “Let’s go lobby for peace!” involves getting dirty and losing your cen- of the sky down to the horizon ofhuman-
Now, some Friends are really proud ter. Whereas to me and many other made roof tops. I shivered and looked at
of this organization. ‘They’re the policy Friends, engaging Congress and the Presi- the envelope in my hand. I had addressed
wonks,’ you’re probably saying to your- dent on the big issues of our times is an it to my Draft Board. In it were my draft
self (I hope to change your view of that essential aspect in the practice of our card and a letter protesting the war in Viet-
before this talk is over.) However, other Quaker faith. nam. I declared that I would not accept my
Friends really have little or no interest in By now you’ve heard many times the deferments and that, ifdrafted, I would not
lobbying of any kind. We have only 12% perspective on Quaker work that, when fight in Vietnam.
or less ofthe membership ofthe Religious our service work is at its best we do two No one else was in the street. I felt
Society of Friends on our database. things: frightened, lonely and cold. I pushed
my
Please, send us your Christmas and other We through fear and dropped the envelope
lists ofpeople who might want to receive 1. offer the crust ofbread and the through the slot. A moment passed. The
cup of cool water to those in need,
our Washington Newsletter. mailbox had been empty. The comer ofthe
and
In my 30 years working on policy. We envelope hit the bottom. To me, it made a
2. look to the causes ofthat need
I’ve met many Friends who seem to side cymbal-like sound. At that moment, I felt
and try to change or replace the struc-
with Mark Twain when it comes to poli- warm and embraced by a presence.
tures of violence that create the need
tics. Wasn’t it he who said, “A dead poli- As a teenager at church and at tent
for our humanitarian work.
tician is a good politician”? revivals I had prayed for such a presence.
When you think about us, we are a That second one is policy work, and It had never come, and I would not testify
paradox. Nearly all US-American parents policy work takes place in the political to my pastor or peers that I was saved, be-
dream oftheir daughter or son growing up arenas. When we do policy work, we cause for me there was no presence under
to one day become the President of the Quakers attempt to answer to that of God the roofofthe church. But now, in the still
United States. Yet, virtually all those par- in every situation. and empty night, I felt embraced and ac-
ents pray to God that their child would For a long time, I was like those companied. My fear was dispelled, and I
NEVER become a politician. Many Friends who did not want to work in the was ready to “face the music” whatever
Quakers seem to share this dislike for political arena. My experiences changed that would be.
things political. Yet William Penn was me. I want to tell you a few stories of I could not make contact with the di-
a politician. some those transforming experiences. vine presence until I merged my values,
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Page 3 Friends Bulletin October 2001
my faith, and my action into one, gluing was young, inexperienced, seeking truth happened just as he had said it would.
VERY
them together with a thing called risk- but not knowing it, and alone. About once a week, an officer came to
taking. Doing this came after a long time At that moment, when I had so little the “back forty” of the stockade looking
of study, of preparation, of worship with support and facing a not very important but for Soldier in Confinement Volk.
others, but when it happened, I was in a very personal abyss, Quakers appeared to He asked me, “Are you Private
place ofstillness. me. A Methodist pastor in Denver told me, Volk?” Yes, sir. “How are you doing?”
I was “on the street,” not in the sanc- “I can’t help you, but the Quakers might. OK, sir. “Anybody giving you any trou-
tuary. That place put me in awe of God’s They have a military counseling office here ble?” No, sir. He would then say,
creation. I felt that I was a creature in a in Denver. Go see them.” I did. “Good,” and walk away. I assumed from
governed universe. Although I didn’t Sure enough, AFSC’s Hohnes Brown those periodic visits by an officer that
know it, this experience of God would and Chester McQuiry had a walk-in office. someone on the outside was making a
lead me to Friends and would be an open- They listened to my story. They asked me phone call on my behalf
ing into the world of political action as a questions. They never tried to lead me in a I thought the phone call probably
practice offaith. What brought me to that direction. They wanted to understand my took a minute or two to make. Someone
place was not anger, not opposition, but direction and how they could support me. I who didn’t know me and who might
love. Love is the first motion. had worried how a peace group would re- never meet me was calling. They proba-
I did not start out as a Quaker. I am a spond to a soldier walking into their place. bly thought it was trivial and too simple a
convinced Friend. Here’s how I met the Once, when I was on leave visiting a fiiend thing to make a difference in the big
Religious Society ofFriends. at Columbia University, the famous New scheme of things. That’s how I would
In 1967, I went into the Army to try York City Baptist pastor, peacenik and have thought about a request to make a
to organize soldiers to refuse to go to playwright A1 Carmines, had poured a minute-long phone call on behalf of
Vietnam. I was motivated basically by drink over my head to show his disgust for someone I didn’t know. Yet, someone
two things (not counting stupidity): first, the Vietnam War and the military. He’d was taking it on faith that such a little
as a Christian, I had meditated much on never bothered to ask me what I thought or thing would make such a difference that
Jesus’s remark that “....in as much as you what I was doing in uniform. But with it was important to do. Someone I didn’t
do it unto the least of these my brethren AFSC, I was safe. knowput that into their weekly schedule.
you have done it unto me...” and, second, Holmes explained that I would receive
the Nuremburg principles established after a general court-martial. On the basis ofthe “Experience Tested by
WWII led me to believe that, in a democ- experience of others, he thought I would Community”
racy, citizen-soldiers were responsible and get a sentence of six months at hard labor,
accountable for their actions. I couldn’t two-thirds forfeiture of pay, and reduction “Inasmuch as you do it unto the least
imagine a Christian doing to the Vietnam- in grade to E-1. At worst, I would do my of these....” I fit that category myself.
ese what I was reading about and what I time and be sent back to duty. At best, they These Quakers didn’t preach the good
was seeing on TV. I thought US soldiers would release me early and send me back news, as my church did; they practiced it,
had a responsibility to refuse illegal or to duty. No dishonorable discharge. No as my church didn’t. This was the “cup of
unjust orders and then to take whatever less than honorable discharge. cool water and the cmst ofbread” part of
consequences were coming to them. As I thanked Holmes and Chester for the Quaker service. It spoke to me in my
By the early spring of 1968, I was a their advice and prepared to catch the next time of need. What I didn’t know then
A
light weapons specialist assigned to bus to Fort Carson to be arrested by the was that these same Quakers had organi-
Troop, 4th Brigade, 12 Battalion, of the military police. Holmes said, “One more zations to also try to change the policy
5th Mechanized Army at Fort Carson, thing. If you like, we could ask a local that put me and others into this situation.
Colorado, not far from Denver. We were Quaker in Colorado Springs to call the They were serving, yes, but they were
scheduled for deployment to Vietnam in Commander of the Guard at the stockade protesting, too. And, as important, they
something called Project Red Diamond once a week to ask how you are doing. A were translating the protest into political
that summer. I knew that I would refuse to simple phone call might help to protect you action by addressing Members of Con-
go with them to Vietnam, and I told my while you are confined. Would you want gress and the President through the
buddies, my sergeant, my platoon leader, someone to make a call?” FCNL. Quakers, I later understood, were
my First Sergeant, and my Commanding At the time, I thought, “that’s a no- answering to “that of God in everyone”
Officer that I wasn’t going. I appealed to brainer; ofcourse, I want someone to make both by ministering to hurting people and
them to refuse to go, too. the call.” I learned later that it is the by trying to transform the policies that
Don’t be misled. I was convinced but Quaker way not to presume to give help hurt them.
not confident. I was, if you will please where it might not be wanted. “Yes, I think what impressed me as I
excuse the rude phrase, “wet-my-pants- please,” I said. learned more about Friends was summed
scared” every time I had to face them. My We said goodbye. I walked alone to up in a remark that Sam Caldwell made
parents disapproved, my brother dis- the bus station,—but I went with a sense that years ago in a plenary speech to FGC. He
agreed, my friends were astonished, my “the Quakers” whoever the hell they said something like “Friends’ religious
—
church asked me to reconsider and do the were would be helping me to make my insights are drawn, not from our knowl-
right thing by serving my country in Viet- way through the troubles ahead. edge or schooling, but from our experi-
nam. I thought service to my country The information that AFSC’s Holmes ence as tested in the community.”
called me to go in a different direction. I Brown had given me was accurate. It all We receive continuing revelation of
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Page 4 Friends Bulletin October 2001
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a
Truth through our experience with people searcher-writer in our NARMIC pro- The fundraising, the committee processes,
—
in many different communities, in many gram that’s National Action Research the bureaucratic hassles take up the largest
different circumstances, in many different into the Military Industrial Complex. It was part of our time. I think ofwhat we could
parts ofthe world. We gather this experi- started by Honey Knopp. do if the ratios were reversed. But, I also
ence. We test it among ourselves and with David said, “I want to make a docu- think what courage he had to imagine that
others. We seek to discover, with the mentary film. I want to tell the story of he could make such a film and then risk
benefit ofdivine guidance, what it means. Charlie Clements. Charlie was a doctor to failure to try it. We are well served by that
And the discoveries of meaning then give peasants in the contested areas ofEl Salva- kind of coinage. Many of you exercise it
renewed purpose and direction to our dor. When the government listed him for every day.
lives and to the life of our community. assassination, he had to leave. Years be-
Thus, in some sense, we are always unset- fore, he was also a combat pilot in Viet- Parable of the Bus
tled because we are always changing, and nam, and he eventually refused to fly. His
yet, we are always grounded because we is a story of conscience and war, and I What will help to change policy on
—
seek to be obedient to the Creator. think we can tell it in a way that will edu- the environment? —the death penalt—y?
As a young student of theology and a cate people about the Central America nuclear weapons? gun violence? the
—
soldier, this was the community of faith wars, about conscientious objection to war, unfinished business of slavery? the left-
—
that I did not know existed but for which I and about active nonviolence.” overs ofthe Vietnam War? freedo—m and
was searching. We met each other through How much will it cost, I asked. “I equality for gay and lesbian people? the
an individual’s act of conscience (mine) don’t know. Somewhere between $100,000 free exercise ofreligion, and all those big
and a community’s practice of faith and $250,000, but we can broadcast it on issues you care about? Yes, we have to
(yours). PBS Frontline. We can reach a lot of peo- provide service. Yes, we have to educate
When I think about this, I marvel how ple. And, it will have a long shelflife even people. Yes, we have to build movements
Quaker service agencies, in this case, the after the Central America Wars are done.” and protest, but we have to do something
American Friends Service Committee and To make a long story short, I said let’s more. We have to translate the service, the
FCNL, bring people into the Religious education, and the protest into the
Society ofFriends. I think how my little political arena. That is policy
story is multiplied by the people work. That is politics. That is lob-
touched by the service work of AFSC bying.
and lobby work ofFCNL. You don’t like the idea of
politics. You don’t want to take
Working for the AFSC time to lobby. OK. Just send
FCNL money. We will lobby for
In 1982, the Executive Secretary of you! I’m only partly kidding.
AFSC, Asia Bennett, invited me to Really, lobbying, especially
serve as the National Secretary for the way FCNL does it, is not so
Peace Education. She and the Chair of bad. Let me tell you a made-up
the Board, Steve Cary, became my men- story about what lobbying is. This
tors and heroes. Perhaps as always, is the story of the lost bus driver
AFSC, especially the national office, and passengers;
was a cauldron of ideas and action. — You got on the bus to go to
AFSC dared to practice what others only Joe Volk and Asia Bennett Staffphoto your place of business. You’ve
—
preached. They took on enormous risk taken this bus everyday for years,
—
merging of values, faith, and action by do it. David, who had never made a film and you know the route. But today a sub-
trying what love can do to mend a broken before, did. He invited me to go with him stitute bus driver takes a right instead ofa
world. The contemporary version of that to pick up his Oscar at the Academy left turn. The bus is going the wrong way
17th century Quaker phrase was to at- Awards for Best Short Documentary. on the right street. This bus driver is ear-
tempt to fashion a nonviolent, multi- When it was all done, I said, “David, you nest but misguided.
racial, multi-cultural, and global commu- did a remarkable thing for the peace move- There is a buzz among the regular
—
nity what Martin Luther King, Jr. called ment and for Quakers.” He said, “I hope passengers. You point out to other passen-
“... a coalition of conscience to close the so. But, you know what? We had to spend gers that the bus is not going on the
gaps in broken community.” This is to- 95 per cent of our time raising money, planned route. One ofthe passengers says,
day’s version ofPenn’s Holy Experiment. moving bureaucratic barriers, and answer- “Don’t bother me; I’m reading the paper.”
What a challenge and an opportunity to be ing those who were afraid of what we Another passenger goes into a long dis-
living in the time ofthis project! might do in a film. That left about 5 per cussion with you ofhow offroute the bus
Let me tell you just one story from cent ofour time to do the creative work of driver is and how everyone is going to be
my eight years as National Secretary for making the film. Think what we might have late to work and how could this happen
Peace Education. One day in 1984, David accomplished if the ratios could have been and doesn’t the bus driver know better.
Goodman walked into my office with a the other way around!” You say why don’t you go tell the
preposterous proposal. David was an Earl- What David said of the film project, I driver to turn around. She says she’s too
ham graduate and an accomplished re- find to be true ofmost ofour Quaker work. shy. Somebody else should do it. A man
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Page 5 Friends Bulletin October 2001
behind you says he’ll take care ofthis. He vite youth and young adults into our FCNL to deliver a check from a memorial
strides to the front with purpose. He yells Quaker lobby. Building on our 30 years of walk and race held by neighbors and
at the bus driver, legislative intern program experience, fnends in her community. Her mom and
“You are going the wrong way, you Mary Lord has labored to develop a thriv- dad, Amanda and Nick, and her brothers,
moron! You are so stupid. I don’t know ing young adultprogram. Nathan and Caleb, and her Aunt Caren
how you got thisjob. I hope they fire you. This fall Jessica Braider, a former told us the story about which we had read.
You’re doing a lousy job!” He returns to FCNL intern, will take over the leadership Two of our legislative interns sat in the
We
his seat behind you and says proudly, “I of that program. have been encourag- conversation. Lydia and Jess gave them a
got thatjerk right between the eyes.” You ing students from Quaker colleges to attend tour of our FCNL operation. When it was
point out that he hasn’t helped. The bus is our annual meetings and to become in- time to go, the parting was difficult to ac-
still going the wrong direction. “Yeah, but volved in the program and governance of complish.
it isn’t my fault; he just wants to go the FCNL. We hope, over time, to dramatically We all stood on the front steps.
wrong way; screw him!” replies the self- reduce the mean-age of those who partici- Someone said what we were all thinking,
satisfied man. pate in FCNL. “I guess Laura might have walked into
You appeal to another passenger to It’s working. Last November, a num- FCNL on these steps and might have sat
do something. She says you and she are ber ofstudents came to our annual meeting, at one of your desks, if she hadn’t been
the only ones on the bus who care so why including a second year Quaker student killed.” We stood looking at the Hart
bother? Finally, you decide to give it a from Haverford College. As Executive Senate Office Building in an awkward
try. You walk up to the bus driver. You Secretary, I have a lot of duties and things stillness with all the noisy traffic going by.
say, “Excuse me. I can tell that you’re an on my mind during Annual Meeting. I had We each considered what that meant
excellent bus driver, but, as a regular pas- time to say hello to her, shake hands, ask, about who we are and what we will do.
senger, I see you’re going the wrong way “What college are you from? Is this your I saw Nick and Amanda in California
on the right street. Or do I have the wrong first Aimual Meeting? What interested you a few weeks later for the 50th anniversary
bus?” in FCNL?” and “I hope you get a lot out of of the California Friends Committee on
The bus driver immediately realizes this meeting.” Then I was on my way Legislation. They reminded me of our
his mistake, and you can see it in his face. thinking there’s a smart young woman, conversation in Washington. They said
You say, “I’m sure the other passengers hope she gets involved in FCNL. that Laura’s murder was preventable. That
haven’t noticed. I think you could just In all, a couple ofminutes in the corri- in many ways it was the outcome offailed
make a pass through that shopping mall dor between program sessions. public policy. For good reasons, public
up ahead, return to the street, and head Weeks passed. Thanksgiving. Then policy had been changed to release men-
back the right direction, and no one would Christmas. I returned to the office and re- tally ill patients from commitment and
notice.” The bus driver says, “Thanks.” ceived news that a young Quaker woman confinement to mental hospitals, but, for
And you go back to your seat. The bus who was a student at Haverford College unjustifiable reasons, the policy makers
gets turned around. The passengers make and who had attended the FCNL Annual had not provided the appropriations nec-
it to their destinations. Meeting had been murdered. She had been essary for effective community-based
This parable ofthe lost bus driver and doing volunteer service at a mental health treatment and support. What happened to
passengers describes, in part, what we at facility over the Christmas holiday. Her Laura wasn’t an accident. It was the out-
FCNL do; experience-based, factually volunteer work let a regular staffer take a come of a failure ofthe public to demand
informed, friendly lobbying. holiday leave. While at the reception desk, that the policy-makers follow through on
The Congress and the President are a disgruntled patient, offhis “meds,” came what they had begun. Evidence was that
—
basically our bus drivers. They are sup- in, shot and killed her and continued his the murderer now in custody, back on
posed to drive us to our agreed upon des- rampage there and at a restaurant down the his “meds,” getting treatment and facing
—
tinations. When they take a wrong turn, road. punishment recognized the enormity of
we not only have a right to say something That young woman was Laura Wilcox what he had done and expressed remorse.
to them we have a civic responsibility to of Nevada County, CA (see FB, March Too late for Laura, though. Nick and
address them. Our purpose isn’t partisan; 2001, p. 17, for her story and picture). She Amanda told me they don’t want Laura’s
rather, our purpose is to help turn our na- had returned home that holiday very ex- death to be only about loss; they want to
tional policies in a direction that will cited about FCNL work. She told her transform the evil into something good
serve the common good. Which bus pas- friends and family that she hoped to be- that will serve the community. Can we
senger are you? Can you imagine yourself come a legislative intern after she gradu- give new meaning to Laura’s life by enter-
helping to turn this US-bus around using ated. ing the political arena to lobby for better
Friendlypersuasion? She planned a campaign to run for policy?
president of the student council. She When will we learn that the treatment
Death of a young friend looked forward to a life of public service, and punishment model is a failed ap-
and, by all accounts, she would have made proach to public policy. It will always de-
Let me close with one more story. Let a remarkable contribution in politics. liver too little too late at the expense of
me tell you another story about a kind of Sadly, we’ve lost her and her gifts of serv- unnecessary human suffering? When will
stillness that leads us into the world and ice to gun violence and a failure of public we learn what good health care providers
into political action as a practice offaith. policy. know: that prevention is the best medi-
We at FCNL have set a course to in- Laura’s family came to visit us at cine?
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Page 6 Friends Bulletin October 2001
In that awkward stillness on the front place. You’ll have maybe 6 to 8 hours in tion, for one person one vote, for integrity
steps of FCNL with the survivors Nick, that plane on yourjourney to that destina- in business, and, well, all the really big
Amanda, Caleb, Nathan, and Caren, I felt tion. By four hours into the flight, you’re issues of our times. In the midst of our
my commitment strengthened to translate aching, the food has been awful, the cabin journeys toward these great destinations,
protest into policy. A phrase visited my has become a chaotic mess, even the we were often tired and grumpy and not
mind, “...for God so loved the world...” flight attendants have become surly. You too keen on government.
—
that God came into the world. Religious are cooped up in that awful tin can with But, to an outside observer one who
experience, I thought, does not move us the sour air, and you can’t stand it. could see the span of history and where
out of the world, rather spirituality takes I’m on the ground belov/. I’m watch- our Quaker movement was going through
— — —
us in the company of God into the ing a beautiful sunrise. As I stand in awe it we were in the midst ofglory.
world ofhuman events. of that glorious view, your plane crosses Now it is up to us to plan our next
through it. I think to myself, T can just destinations, to board the next “jumbo
Flying the Jumbo Jet imagine what the inside of that plane jets of history,” and to suffer the indig-
looks like and how the people feel. But, I nities of travel. Considering that we
I have many more stories that I would wonder, do they realize what glory they US-American Quakers...live in the one
like to tell, but my time is up. To thank are passing through?’ remaining super-military power, con-
you for your time and attention, please We Quakers have been on the big sume an unfair share of the world’s re-
allow me to leave you with a metaphor “jumbo jets” of history these last 350 sources, have yet to right the vvrongs
that Ed Snyder passed along to me. He got years. We’ve set destinations for religious left over from slavery, judge ourselves
it from someone else....probably someone freedom, abolition of slavery, for by our ideals and our competitors by
sitting here tonight. women’s suffrage and liberation, for af- their conduct, and have elected leaders
Imagine yourself getting on a com- firming gay and lesbian people, for peace who are bent on world domination,
mercial airliner. You’ve planned a trip to through peaceful means, for unity with what is our calling? Where in the world
a great destination....like Corvallis? Or nature, for the dignity of the worker, for is God calling our US Quaker move-
Japan? Or think ofyour favorite far away the rights of children, for racial integra- ment to go in this new century?
Cemeteryat Maclovio: Crosses commemorating Mexicans who have died tryingto cross the US/Mexicoborder
O
ver 500 crosses with the names ofMexicans who have died trying to traverse the
US/Mexico border were taken to Maclovio Rojas, a colonia (settlement) midway
between Tijuana and Tecate, by the AFSC/Southem California Quaker Youth Service
Project. At the request of the community, these crosses were placed on the periphery
ofa cemetery dedicated to those whose deaths can be attributed to policies such as Op-
eration Gatekeeper.
Twenty teens and eight adults participated in this our fifth Mexico service project
on August 11-18. Participants also worked at an orphanage, playground and school.
Adult helpers included Anthony Manousos, Pat Smith, Barbara Flynn, Mimi and Alan
Edgar, Simon Lawrance, Karen Thompson, and Monique Lusse. For more information
about how you can become involved in Quaker service work, contact Anthony Manou-
sos at <[email protected]> or our website at http://members.aol.com/friendsbul/
Maria Fraire and Rachel Rosenthal paintingcrosses quakerservice.html.
The AFSC is setting up a fund to support the advocacy and humanitarian work of US/Mexico Border Program in San Diego.
Named in honor ofRoberto Martinez, who will be retiring this year after faithfully monitoring human rights abuses along the border
for 20 years, this fimd will help the AFSC to continue this vital work. For more information, contact Joe Franko, 980 N Fair Oaks,
CA
Pasadena, 91103-3097. Phone: [phone]. <[email protected]>
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Page 7 Friends Bulletin October 2001
— — —
reports, at page 6, on Julia Quinonez, di- ple up frompoverty.”
rector of the Border Committee of Fair trade has everything to do with
Women. She has not just walked through fairness, not with freedom, which tends to
Some Quaker Perspectives the slums of Latin America; she lives in mean “I am free to exploit you as much as
one. So when, according to Powelson, she I can.”
NAFTA
says “that in the six years since That is why our economic system is
went into effect, living and working con- called “free enterprise” rather than “fair
Dear Editor: A discussion of the World ditions have dramatically worsened,” she enterprise.” Ifthe latter were the case both
Trade Organization in the manner of obviously doesn’t know that she is being in name and in reality, the gap between
Friends might be useful, but one does not elevated from poverty by trade, and she the rich and the poor would not be widen-
WTO
find it in “Hey, Hey, Ho, Ho, has certainly hasn’t studied economics. By ing.
Got to Go...” {FB, July-August, 2001). trivializing her experience, Powelson can The comment “I didn’t promise you a
WTO
Instead one finds pro- propaganda dismiss her wisdom. rose garden” is a particularly unfortunate
whose author is able to avoid hard ques- Since the days of the Conquistadors, and cavalier one, since the great majority
tions because he puts silly ones in the the elites of the West and Japan have of the world’s people have never even
mouth ofa so-called protester. plundered the wealth ofAfiica, Asia, and smelled a rose, and are not likely ever to
WTO
Powelson’s article is filled with con- Latin America. That the may be the do so under the present economic system.
clusions that have no foundation in fact. next chapter in this sordid story is prob- But why should we worry? After all, “in
Powelson tells us, for example, that the able but not inevitable. Friends should an inventive society they can always find
WTO
“...is the culmination of seven dec- insist that trade negotiations be open and jobs.”
ades oftalks...” Oh? I’d like to know the accountable, agitate for the protection of The question: “Should a Mexican be
identity of the WTO’s predecessors. working people and the environment, and pushed out of a job to preserve it for an
Where does Powelson get his informa- support NGOs and courageous people American?” is downright disingenuous.
tion? The author footnotes only a few like Julia Quinonez. W.M. Kirkpatrick, The fact is that the jobs are not being
—
sources. One of them is the Heritage San Jose (CA) Friends Meeting. “preserved—” for anyone ^Mexican or
Foundation, whose website sports this American ^but are up for grabs by who-
praise from Rush Limbaugh: “The Heri- Dear Editor: Thank you so much for run- ever will work for the least amount of
tage Foimdation is America leading con- ning the Jack Powelson article {FB, July- money, in a plant with the least en^loyee
servative think tank.” August). The issues involved are complex protection.
Powelson supposes that history has and controversial. On the basis ofconsid- Now as to the idea that letting the
proven that “those nations that trade most erable study, however, I had independ- ministers “in” at Seattle would have made
are the ones that promote prosperity of ently come—to conclusions quite similar to them more amenable to telling the outside
their citizens and bring their people up Powelson’s so I can say this Friend world what they were doing: Unfortu-
from poverty.” He refers to Europe, the speaks my mind. I hope the article’s ap- nately, the whole point is that, unless large
United States, and Japan as examples. pearance will stimulate other Friends to numbers of people protest in the streets
Has he not heard ofcolonialism, imperial- their own independent study. Jim Kim- (risking unwelcome violence by police
ism, slavery, or war? Some might think ball, Corvallis (OR) Meeting and other misguided fools in the process),
that the wealth of Europe, the United
business goes on quite as usual, and most
States, and Japan was acquired by theft, Dear Editor: I read Jack Powelson’s arti- people never will find out what is happen-
not trade. I invite Powelson to join me in cle on the WTO with interest and distress. ing to the world, thanks to largely recalci-
reading British historian Niall Ferguson’s For one thing, I kept waiting for the trant media. As to alternatives, I wonder
new book. The Cash Nexus: Money and Protesters (P) to get some space in which how ordinary activists can reach these se-
Power in the Modern World 1700-2000. to present their views. But sadly, the Ad- questered WTO beings who are making
““Institutions,’ [Ferguson] writes, “that vocates (A) took nearly all the column bad decisions for us all. Certainly not by
initially existed to serve the state by fi- inches. knocking on their doors or writing them
nancing war also fostered the develop- This heavily weighted the case
letters!
ment of the economy as a against the Protesters. One can imagine In closing may I suggest that we all,
whole’” (quoted in New York Review of the loss of membership in the Society of as Friends, have a duty to figure out, in
Books, 8/9/01, p. 45). Friends ifbusiness were really to be con- spite of all “complexities”, how to pro-
Offensive, even pompous, is the ducted in such a fashion! mote fair trade and get rid of the pres-
author’s characterization ofNon Govern- In my humble opinion, the subject we ent curse of powerful one-sided agree-
mental Organizations. “The NGOs,” he should be discussing is “fair trade,” not ments favoring injustice and misery,
opines, “need to wander more through the “free trade” as it is defined by WTO and while at the same time “bringing mil-
slums in Asia, Africa, and Latin America its supporters. lions of unwitting consumers into the
(as I have) and visit factories there (as I The present international arrange- twenty-first century,” drinking coca
have). They need to talk more with the ments are, like Powelson’s argument, cola and eating hamburgers, and dis-
poorest ofthe poor, whom they purport to heavily weighted in favor of the aheady- cussing who will or will not win
—
advocate. They also need to study eco- rich nations, which helps them to become an Oscar all the while calling it
nomics.” The same issue ofFriends Bul- richer at a somewhat faster rate than it “development.” Jean Gerard, Orange
letin that carries Powelson’s piece also helps the poor nations to “bring their peo- Grove Meeting, Pasadena, CA.
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Page 8 Friends Bulletin October 2001
A “Thisis a‘must read’book—
Economic
Solution to Injustice: ascaringmdictmentofanunjustinlcmationalc<;onomicorder....”
A —ArchbishopDesmondM.Tutu,NobelPeaceI.aiircale
Economy
Cooperative
table distribution of wealth. In Powelson’s
by Sandy Perry beloved market economy, however, the
San Jose (CA) Meeting trend has been the opposite of the “right
sharing of world resources” traditionally
could not agree more with the final advocated by Quakers. By 1995, polariza-
I
paragraph of Jack Powelson’s article in tion of world wealth had become so ex-
the July-August Friends Bulletin. In it he treme that 358 billionaires owned a net
states that we need to “talk more with the worth ($760 billion) equal to the net worth
poorest ofthe poor” and “study more eco- of the poorest 2.5 billion people on the
nomics.” In my experience, however, the entire planet.^
more I do these things the more I disagree Powelson holds that the market system
with everything else Powelson has to say. (again using Lutter’s words) can more ef-
The foundation ofhis argument is the fectively combat social evils than efforts to
assertion (put forward by Gusten Lutter) “legislate, regulate or force them out of
that “a classic liberal economy i.e., in the existence.” His words unfortunately call to David Korten
C.
original concept ofliberalism, is accompa- mind President Eisenhower’s famous re-
nied by increased freedom and respect for sponse to Martin Luther King Jr., that he
For more about David Korten and alter-
the individual, as well as greater opportu- could not “legislate morality” and there-
natives to corporate multinationalism, see
nity for all.” This may have been tme fore was powerless to stop racial violence
p.l7.
(with notable exceptions, such as slavery) and segregation. King himselfwas clear on
in the eighteenth century world described the absolute necessity of government ac-
by Adam Smith. But it is untrue beyond a tion: “Love and persuasion are virtues that has been an absolute debacle. According
reasonable doubt in today’s market econ- are basic and essential,” he wrote, “but to a recent newspaper article, Russia has
omy, dominated as it is by predatory they must forever be complemented by “careened down an erratic course marked
global corporations. justice and moral coercion.”^ by hyperinflation, rampant cormption, the
The most telling evidence is the Any honest appraisal of the history of rise of the mafia, a devastating financial
abominable living conditions ofthe major- the last few decades shows that not just crisis in 1998 and two wars in the breaka-
ity of the world’s population today, after some but every advance against way republic ofChechnya.”'^
centuries of “liberal economy” and fifty- “oppression, pollution, poverty, ignorance, As a Quaker, and not being an econo-
five years of the Bretton Woods world fi- and disabilities” has been precisely the re- mist, I do not advocate any one absolute
nancial system. Powelson describes where sult of government legislation and regula- economic model as the ultimate solution.
“a recent cover of The Economist shows a tion, not the market. The market had noth- However, I do believe that some form of
pitiful Indian child, wrapped in a shabby ing whatsoever to do with, and in fact cooperative economy is unquestionably
cloak, with a heart-rending look in her tended to resist, labor law reform. Social more consistent with Christian and
eyes.” Her plight has nothing to do v^th Security, civil rights, environmental laws, Quaker values than the competitive mar-
the recent protests in Seattle, as Powelson consumer protection, and the American ket economy advocated by Powelson.
suggests. Rather, it has everything to do Disabilities Act. In fact, without the mobi- People in the Western Hemisphere lived
with the ongoing failure of the market lization of millions of the poor, whom relatively harmoniously here, in a commu-
economy to end poverty in India and in Powelson absurdly claims were not con- nal economic system, for centuries before
most ofthe world. sulted, it is doubtful that many of these the arrival of Columbus.^ Certainly Bibli-
Economist David Korten has found reforms would have ever become law. cal economics, from Moses to Paul, is
that the economic growth policies advo- Powelson implies that government- based on the idea of cooperation and col-
cated by Powelson are not only ineffective controlled economies are less effective lectivity, and speaks out uncompromis-
but counterproductive. Since 1950, he than the market in combating poverty, but ingly against exploitation. John Woolman,
writes, “the number of people living in the history of the twentieth century sug- the “quintessential Quaker economic
absolute poverty has kept pace with popu- gests otherwise. The Chinese economy to- thinker,” was clear that morality, not the
lation growth: both have doubled. The ra- day, which is still socialist despite reforms, market, had to be the ultimate guide for
tio ofthe share ofthe world’s income that is recognized as one ofthe world’s strong- economic activity.
went to the richest 20 percent and that est. And for all of its many well- “As he who first formed the earth out
which went to the bottom 20 percent has documented failings, the economy of the of nothing was then the trae proprietor of
doubled. And indicators of social and en- Soviet Union was nevertheless for decades it, “ he wrote, “so he still remains; and
vironmental disintegration have risen the second most powerful in the world de- though he hath given it to the children of
sharply everywhere.” ' spite its near total destmction by the Nazis men, so that multitudes of people have
Meeting basic human needs does not in World War II. Furthermore, the substi- had sustenance from it while they contin-
require high growth rates, it requires equi- tution of capitalism for Soviet socialism ued here, yet he hatli never aliened it; but
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Page 9 Friends Bulletin October 2001
8
his right to give is as good as at the first, Powelson claims that textile and steel come increasingly subservient to these
nor can any apply the increase of their workers and others are short-sighted to corporations, are likewise losing even the
possessions contrary to universal love, nor protest the loss of their jobs to globaliza- pretense of concern for the well-being of
dispose of lands in a way which they tion. However, the world’s transition to the homeless, widows and orphans, dis-
know tends to exalt some by oppressing electronics-based production renders their abled, and others unable to care for them-
—
others, without being justly charged with future increasingly insecure. With the selves not to mention all those families
usurpation.”^ automation of one economic sector after working at below subsistence-level wages.
Finally, the three most widely, inter- another, it would be unwise to heed Pow- Sad to say, with all due respect, I have
nationally recognized moral leaders ofthe elson’s advice to rely on the prospect of come to the conclusion that in general we
—
twentieth century Mahatma Gandhi, newjobs in “expanding industries.” Their cannot look to economists for help in this
Martin Luther King Jr., and Nelson Man- plight is compounded by the fact that most situation either. Of all the thousands of
—
dela all advocated cooperative econom- governments today, under pressure from economists in Silicon Valley, I have yet to
ics over free market capitalism. “The global corporations, have abandoned the see one volunteer at a homeless shelter
economists are wrong in thinking that economic human rights proclaimed in the here to help minister to the victims of his
competition is good for a nation,” wrote 1948 United Nations Declaration of Hu- or her theories.
Gandhi. “Competition only enables the man Rights. The desolation of San Jose’s
Notes
purchaser to obtain his labor unjustly homeless is but one example. In this situa-
cheap, with the result that the rich grow tion it is absolutely right to protest; in 'David Korten, fVhen Corporations Rule the
richer and the poor poorer. In the long mn fact, it is our duty. It is only as a result of World, Kumarian Press and Berrett-Koehler Pub-
it can only lead the nation to ruin.” ^ the Seattle protest that we have achieved lishers, 1996,p. 39
My own personal experience with the even this level of transparency and public ^Korten,p. 83
^David Garrow, Bearing the Cross, William
market economy, here in San Jose, Cali- involvement, with the result that these is-
MorrowandCompany, 1986,p. 11
fornia, is equally horrific. For ten years I sues are being debated injournals like this ‘*Dave Montgomery, “Russia Recalls an Era
CHAM
have worked with (Community one. ofTriumph,”SanJoseMercuryNews8/19/01,p. 2
We
Homeless Alliance Ministry), ministering do not oppose globalization per ^John Collier, Indians oftheAmericas, Men-
to homeless victims ofSilicon Valley’s hi- se. As Powelson (and everyone else) torBooks, 1948,p. 102
tech economy. A more abject failure of points out, it is inevitable. What we op- ^John Woolman, The Journal and Major
the market system could not possibly be pose is globalization under the current EssaysofJohn Woolman, editedbyPhillips Moul-
imagined than the housing situation here. conditions of a free market capitalist ton, FriendsUnitedPress, 1989,p. 257
According to City of San Jose statistics, economy thoroughly dominated by giant ^Mahatma Gandhi, The Selected Works of
there were an estimated 12,600 homeless corporations. As David Korten and others Mahatma Gandhi, Volume 4, Navajivan Publish-
ingHouse, 1968,p. 72
people in this city alone in 1999. 75 peo- have demonstrated, corporations are alien
*Korten, p. 67, and Jerry Mander, In theAb-
ple on the average were turned away from beings, structurally incapable of human sence ofthe Sacred, Sierra Club Books, 1991, p.
shelters every night. Some 20-30,000 city emotions such as compassion for the 121
residents were considered “at risk” of poor.* Governments like ours, as they be-
homelessness and 27,000 were on the
waiting list for Federal Section 8 vouchers
at the County Housing Authority.
According to the 1990 census (and
the situation has deteriorated considerably
since then) there was a shortage in San
Jose of 16,538 extremely low-income
housing units and 9,41 1 very low-income.
The “market” has shown no inclination by Peg Morton workers, Religious Organizations, and
whatsoever to correct this situation. In Eugene (OR) Meeting Consumers. The empty chair is waiting for
fact it has steadily made it worse it by ex- NORPAC, the Growers Cooperative in the
T
acerbating the jobs-housing imbalance his June 18-24, I was privileged to Willamette Valley.
here. Over the years I have witnessed (and join with hundreds of participants The farmworker struggle in the Wil-
joined) hundreds of the poor pleading from faith communities, unions and others lamette Valley has gained momentum over
with local government officials to groups to walk with farmworkers in the the past years, under leadership from the
PCUN
“regulate” or “legislate” a solution to the Willamette Valley of Oregon. The Walk union, (Pineros y Campesinos Uni-
We
problem. have in the main been un- for Farmworker Justice was a huge effort dos de Noroeste). It focuses on agricul-
successful, primarily as a result ofpow- to expand the consciousness and commit- tural workers and on the growers’ coop-
erful lobbying by “free market” devel- ment of those who eat the food the farm- erative NORPAC. NORPAC has refused
opers and real estate interests who feel workers pick, to bring us into the struggle. to endorse the right ofworkers to organize
that low cost housing interferes with A symbol of the struggle was carried under PCUN. NORPAC growers have re-
their ability to maximize profit. The around each day on a rickety truck, to be sisted farmworkers efforts’ to organize.
result has been a hemorrhaging of un- present at the educational and cultural Workers, organizers and supporters have
conscionable suffering right here in the events of each evening: Sitting at a table been fired, threatened and even on some
heart ofthe hi-tech revolution. were cardboard representations of Farm- occasions attacked.
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Page 10 Friends Bulletin October 2001