TO THE EDITOR:
I am an Army veteran who served eight years.
My response to those who condemned the war protest:
I understand your concerns about the "walkout" being ineffective. To a great extent my generation has forgotten "what it means" to protest.
It's not about hurting the University. It's about hurting ourselves and hoping someone will wonder why. By participating in a walkout, I am choosing to put myself in harm's way because I can no longer abide an outrage, and I am willing to damage the powerful's expectations of my future in order to stir up some empathy from the world.
I realize this only works if a massive number of people participate.
However, it seems people only act unified when faced with the fear of being forced to endure a horrible situation, or empathizing with someone you care for that has.
Consider what ending the draft did. It limited the number of troops who could be called upon and forced us to rely on the reserves and heavy rotations of the active duty units in a long war in order to tie the president's hands by making him feel the pain via public outcry.
To some extent, it worked. Whether for better or worse, the midterm election changed policy in Iraq. However, with the fear of the draft removed, it also removed the public's visceral fear of having to fight the war. Thus, people are willing to disapprove in principle but not to the extent that it would cause them personal loss.
I will not condemn the students who are willing to risk, if only symbolically, their future for something they think needs to be put right. It is only the smallest step, but at least they care about something other than themselves.
Sean Honea
Senior
American Studies
Former Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army (1997-2005)
