[WCUSP] Fw: Apartheid as our frame? Dems Repudiate Carter Book

[C.J. Minster]

For the record -
1. I have not decided how this campaign will move forward. Nor has Kate.
2. I have never suggested that we hide from Carter's book. I'm 
interested in reading it and I'm excited he wrote it. I have already put 
out feelers to find out if WILPF can get an advance review copy. I'm 
also interested in following up on Tura's suggestion that we do 
visibility actions at his book tour stops. I have a deep respect for 
President Carter, especially his work through the Carter Center.
3. People disagree on whether we must always speak about Israel as an 
apartheid state or whether we should continue to develop that frame 
while also developing language that is more inclusive to a larger 
audience. This is not a decision I am trying to make for WILPF - my 
suggestion is to continue developing both frames. Yvonne, if you know a 
way to use the term apartheid while breaking down the walls people have 
built up around their emotional attachment to Israel or their 
internalized racism against Arabs, I welcome that information.
4. Joyce suggested that WILPF write a letter to Congresspeople. I 
referred to it as an Action Alert because I'd like to empower our 
members to get involved in this action. I was not trying to determine 
the content of the alert / letter, I was simply saying that someone 
involved in the campaign would start on it soon. Joyce, your voice in 
this discussion has been important and useful. Please do not think I'm 
trying to stifle discussion - you've mentioned writing a letter several 
times over the last four days (I'm just catching up on email after being 
away), so I wanted to assure you that it's on our plate but we might not 
get it done in the next 24 hours.

in nonviolent solidarity,
C.J.

yvonne simmons wrote:
> CJ, I don't think that it is up to you and Kate what
> the LT on WCUSP decide to do about Carter's book. In
> one way by not addressing how ex President Carter has
> described the content of his  book, years and years of
> working on the issue have brought him to this
> conclusion is not taking an important position for US
> WILPF. He brokered peace between Egypt and Israel
> which was a first. By not taking a stance I feel  that
> it is  somehow condoning the opposition. Many citizens
> are going to read this book, many of them that have
> little knowledge on the occupation of Palestine. For
> once we have an opportunity to be on the forefront of
> a very important development. I realize that this
> stance may loose some members, who knows, but how can
> we continually not call a spade a spade. I do accept
> that to be sensitive to all is important but not at
> the expense of our work for peace and justice and
> human rights in the Middle-East. One violent  needless
> death is one too many. I find it hard to write on the
> e-mail without thinking I am upsetting someone but I
> cannot, not write my thoughts, and I hope I have not
> upset anyone. We are all working for peace and justice
> and I am proud of that In Solidarity Yvonne.
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