Just to set the record straight. Women in Black is not a parent
group to Hollister in Black as Marvin Jones stated in his June 9
letter. HIB is just one more WIB group.
Dear Editor:
Just to set the record straight. Women in Black is not a parent group to Hollister in Black as Marvin Jones stated in his June 9 letter. HIB is just one more WIB group.
Women in Black is not an organization, but a loose and spontaneous network of women (and men) who protest war and seek justice. The letter goes on to say, “The history of the Women in Black can be found on the Internet if you go deep enough.” It isn’t difficult to find accurate information. You can easily go to www.womeninblack.org. There, you will quickly find a complete description and history of WIB, including its many peace awards.
The letter erroneously stated that “the organization began in Israel almost 25 (15) years ago … by Palestine women protesting against Israel. Ultra- orthodox Jews who believe Israel should not exist soon joined them.”
The truth is that in 1987, 20 years after Israel occupied the West Bank and Gaza, the Palestinian intifada, or resistance, began. In response, Israeli Jewish women began to stand in weekly vigils to protest the escalating violence and were soon joined by like-minded Palestinian women.
Hollister in Black is very proud to “choose to identify with, and thus be painted with the same brush as Women in Black.” It is anything but an “anti-Jew, anti-Christian organization with questionable motives toward Israel.”
Hollister in Black reflects the glorious diversity of backgrounds that exemplifies WIB worldwide: Our local group is comprised of Christian, Jew, Muslim and agnostic members. This diversity and the commitment to resolve conflict by respectful and peaceful means are our common ground.
Benjamin Franklin said, “There’s never been a bad peace or a good war.” I don’t know if he was accused of being unpatriotic for saying that, but today, unfortunately, he would be.
P.S. The HIB banner reads, “If you want peace, work for justice.” Its author was Pope Paul VI, who appeared before the U.N. and his plea there still rings out: “War … Never again war!”
Peggy Kingman,
Paicines
