It was a quiet day punctuated by a visit from V, who informed me that she and a few others in the school have been selected to attend a mock UN conference in Boston in a couple of weeks. Ironically, she has to represent herself as an Idaho Congressman known for his reactionary views and so has to familiarize herself with arguments she finds anathema---which is actually helpful under the heading 'know-your-enemy,' as well as a way to develop her forensic capacity (i.e., putting your opponent's position in language that is even more persuasive than he can put it in---before demolishing it completely---is an effective tactic that works well on audiences).
What's neat about the students I've met at Prospect---and shows how they are already starting to develop effective organizing strategies on their own---is that each month they make a real effort to bring a friend or acquaintance with them to introduce me to. And each time I've taken it as an opportunity to get that person's email and send them a thank-you for showing interest in anti-war organizing. The new student's name is L.; she is also attending this Boston debate gathering with Violet. It's a bit sad they're all seniors and won't be starting a kind of tradition, but such is the way of organizing...
I promised both L and V that I would send them information about two events that I know are upcoming----first, the event that Chicago Committee Against War & Racism (CCAWR) is organizing at a Congressman's office near the anniversary of the 2003 Iraq War and, second, the anti-war conference at Loyola in April organized by Loyola students with assistance from the same group. If any of you have information about any anti-war stuff going on in the northwest suburbs, please let me know. I can be like a clearing house for these students informing them of upcoming events.
Roger
