This blog, like my book, doesn’t tend to dwell on the brave folk who completely avoided military jurisdiction — the thousands in CPS camps during World War Two, the literal millions who spent the Vietnam era in alternative-service jobs. All of whom are important and honored, but to include their stories would swamp an already-capaciousContinue reading “John Lewis was a conscientious objector to war. Did you know that?”
Tag Archives: Bayard Rustin
The road to revolution via…Julia Davis?
The TV cameras are gone now. So are most of the veterans I was tracking and wrote about for Guernica, upon the request of the Standing Rock elders. Everyone knows that last week’s decision was only a battle won, and that the struggle continues: the drilling below Sioux land isn’t even completely stopped, the companyContinue reading “The road to revolution via…Julia Davis?”
The soldier-dissenters at Oceti Sakowin.
My Guernica piece doesn’t include my first thoughts as the protests at Standing Rock evolved: that Bayard Rustin would be proud. But I’m not done. And by the time I am, Tolstoy and Silas Soule will be side by side.
Bayard Rustin had class: a story from Todd Gitlin
I can almost hear the man singing.
A day for angelic troublemakers
It’s kind of stereotypical, but every year I watch this film as part of the observance of Martin Luther King Day. It feels the least I can do, given what Bayard Rustin did for all of us. This year, of course, I thought also of Rustin during President Obama’s Second Inaugural address, when the PresidentContinue reading “A day for angelic troublemakers”
watch this. then again. then vote. then cry.
Running behind, as usual. But I finally saw this, a few days after another viewing of Brother Outsider. A week to the election and I can’t get enough of angelic troublemakers. (I also can’t wait for the flick to come out, whatever Gawker says.)
I Ain't Marching Anymore 