Saturday, February 11, 2012

Meeting Angels Unaware

(Continued from Tuesday . . . )
By the spring of 1970, I’d sat in a classroom and witnessed two students protesting with guns. I’d also written letters to all the Minneapolis department stores, urging them to use black mannequins in their window and aisle displays. As well, I’d written to the two major newspapers, encouraging them to establish a policy of asking those who bought ads in their papers to employ black models.
            Now I was ready to slip quietly back into studying for my graduate degree. However, events intervened. Sharing a simple meal with a stranger led to the next step I took in working for social justice.
            One early spring day, while I was eating lunch in Coffman Center at the University of Minnesota, a young man sat down next to me. At the time, I was thirty-four. He was probably all of twenty-two. He diffidently revealed that he was a vet, had been home from Vietnam only a few short weeks, and now wanted to get his education. He spoke hesitantly of his time in that far away place.


            The wariness on his face told me he wasn’t sure how I’d respond to his being a vet. He’d met, as had I, a number of young men and women on campus who stridently disliked those who’d gone to Vietnam to fight. These other young people mocked the returning vets for letting themselves be misled. They accused them of being too stupid to realize that the government and the military had lied to them.
            As he spoke, I remembered the two protesters with the guns shouting that poor whites and poor blacks were fighting the war. To judge by his lunch, this young man clearly didn’t have much money. Perhaps he was one of the poor who had fought in Vietnam. Fortunately he hadn’t died there, but had returned home—possibly to poverty.
            What a return. To scorn and taunts. 
            I knew that some soldiers in Vietnam had been drafted. Of these, surely some weren't impoverished. I didn’t understand the ins and outs of all this, but I did know that this young man had been denounced for, as he said, “fighting for my country.”
            As we talked, I got more and more angry. I remembered the students I’d taught in the inner city. Would the war still be raging when those seventh grade boys turned eighteen? Would the poor of that school then become the ones fighting and dying?
         Four realizations, perhaps simplistic ones, struck me:
·      The Washington, D.C., policy makers were the ones who’s embroiled our country in the war. They’d sent young men away to fight.
·      Those who wanted to protest the war needed to protest the system and the entrenched belief in the domino theory, not the young men who’d gone off to fight. The angry—and fearful—youths were turning their backs, not on the old men who sent the young to Vietnam, but on the soldiers and vets themselves. This was unjust and wrongheaded.
·       Many young American men felt the call of patriotism and wanted to fight for their country when they thought it needed defending. They were willing to risk life and limb because of their beliefs. We needed to honor that, not ridicule it.
·      Unfortunately, going to war was a way to get a college education for someone who didn’t have money for tuition. We needed to fight poverty, not the North Vietnamese.


            In letters to the campus newspaper and to politicians in Washington I expressed my uninformed views. I also discussed my thoughts with classmates. I knew that I had no firm grasp of political science or the history of Southeast Asia. To counter this, I began to read a variety of newspapers, listen to the evening news, study the history of Vietnam. Finally, however, I, too, began to protest. I’ll share that story with you on Tuesday.
                                                            (Continued on Tuesday . . . )
Afterword:
More and more as I work on these postings, I feel the call to write for publication. I have several manuscripts ready to polish. All I need is time to do so. Given this, I’ve decided to post just twice a week from now on. My two posting days will normally be Tuesday and Saturday. This will mean that all of you will have one less posting to read a week in your busy schedules. I bet you find yourself grateful for that! 
          I'm also going to cut back to just two hours a day of reading other blogs, commenting, and responding to the comments on my blog. I know that this will mean I will miss some captivating postings, but I find myself longing to get serious about writing books: paper and/or e. I so hope I won't neglect any of your fine blogs. I'll try not to.

Both photographs from “The Vietnam War” in Wikipedia.
           

62 comments:

  1. I am glad you are heeding the call to write. I so enjoyed Dulcy's story and you do have a gift for writing. And two hours? That's about how much time I spend every day reading my blogs, and sometimes (like yesterday) when I go out for the day, I have to come back and mark everything already read. It's too overwhelming. You are very disciplined! :-)

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    1. Dear DJan,
      Thanks for your words of encouragement. I feel that Dulcy wrote her own story. I just typed it! So I'm hoping she'll be with me as I work on new writing. That's the Oneness I so believe in.

      Peace.

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  2. Another wonderful read, I hope you do get published.

    I shall miss the next write as I shall be starting my holiday. I will be back on the 25th Feb. probably jetlagged.

    Keep up the good work.
    Yvonne.

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    1. Dear Yvonne,
      Thank you for your good wishes. I look forward to your return on the 25th and so hope that you enjoy your visit here to the United States. Get plenty of rest.

      Peace.

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  3. Oh, Dee, I am so glad you are going to do this -- you have such insight and such talent and I am so grateful to have discovered you and your writing.

    In the 60's and 70's I was part of some of the anti-war protests. I knew soldiers who were drafted -- one was a very close friend and another was my cousin. My close friend corresponded with me throughout is tour of duty and he wrote of how much he loved the country, its people and history. Eventually he met and married a Vietnamese girl and they all returned to the US. Vietnam is a sorry part of our history for many reasons. What happened to those vets is a terrible blemish on our country. There are so many things that happened at that time -- so many intractable attitudes -- so much damage. I don't think our nation has ever really recovered.

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    1. Dear Broad,
      Thank you for your enthusiasm for my writing. I'm glad that I've discovered your blog!

      Thank you, too, for sharing the story about your friend who served in Vietnam. I agree with you the Vietnam is a sorry part of our history. I hope that soon our politicians will begin working with the president to build a country that is looking ahead to educating its young, protecting the weak, paying attention to the rights of women, and giving a helping hand to those enmeshed in poverty.

      Peace.

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  4. Dee, you were so clear-sighted and perceptive in your reactions to the student protest back then. I do hope the young veteran as helped by talking to you and I'm glad you felt moved to get involved in the discussion.

    As far as blogging is concerned, I don't aim to post more than a couple of times a week in any case. Anything above that is a bonus. Well-written and considered posts take a lot of time to prepare and write and if you are feeling called to make your other writing ready for publication, something has to give. It's too easy to get sucked into just browsing blogs and I must try to practice some of your self-discipline.

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    1. Dear Perpetua,
      I can still see that young man's pleading eyes. He'd been shunned by other students--not all, but some. Those years our country lost its innocence and its sense of direction.

      Both you and DJan, who commented above, mention my self-discipline. I've never felt that I had any and so I'm always surprised when people seem to see that as one of the aspects of my personality. I do so hope I can discipline myself to do that which I long to do.

      Peace.

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  5. The world needs more people who think--& act--like you! I wonder how many people would have taken the time to actually hear what that soldier had to say?

    Post whenever you can. Can I pre-order a copy of your next book?

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    1. Dear Fishducky,
      You are always so kind to me in your comments. I'm sure you would have done the same. You, too, are a "people-person."

      As to preordering. Oh, this makes me giggle. Thank you.

      Peace.

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  6. Back then I had so many similar experiences with Vietnam vets as I and another woman ran the Public Employment (PEP) Program at UC San Diego. The purpose of the program was to employ vets and minorities on campus. I would love to see this published. I think it is much needed as I am not sure where this country is headed.

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    1. Dear Inger,
      Thank you for sharing your life experience with Vietnam veterans. I'm so glad that UC San Diego had a program to help them. I don't know whether the University of Minnesota did or not.

      Peace.

      Delete
  7. This was quite interesting.

    Go for it. Work on publishing. Maybe I will soon catch up on all my reading of your past posts.

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    1. Dear Sally,
      You are probably much busier than I am, so don't even try to read my past posts. I suggest just starting when reading works for you. I'm going to do another couple on Vietnam and then move on to other social awareness times in my life.

      I'm just glad when you do read. Thank you.

      Peace.

      Delete
  8. Heartbreaking. Here in Australia all three of my brothers were drafted. None of them thought that we should be there. Fortunately (oh the irony) all of them were declared medically unfit because of sports injuries. It took too long here before the Vietnam veterans were given the respect and support they needed.
    No, I won't be grateful to have less of your posts to savour as they educate me. However, you do need to take the time to do things for yourself.
    Thank you for being you.

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    1. Dear EC,
      It has taken a long time for the government here to truly recognize that the war destroyed more lives than just those of the men who died in the jungles of Southeast Asia. Men came back shell-shocked and addicted and suffering from the ravages of Agent Orange. They came back haunted by the heartbreak of war. My next-door neighbor in Minnesota was a Vietnam War vet and he carried with him the scars of that war. But always he was proud that he'd "remained true" to his country. And I so honor him for that commitment.

      Thank you for your kind words about my posts.

      Peace.

      Delete
  9. I didn't know anyone who volunteered. Everyone I knew was drafted. Middle class white kids who didn't go to college. Some came home in body bags. I was against the war, but I didn't think you should blame the soldiers for the government's war. Any more than I do now.

    I do know what you mean with blogland taking up a lot of your time. Go for it, woman! You should be writing. You were meant to write. If your heart is telling you to spend more time writing for publication, that's what you should be doing. To blog once a week even would be fine. Do whatever is best for you. We'll be here. :)

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    1. Dear Rita,
      I think you and I are in full agreement about the war and those who fought it.

      Thank you for encouraging me to write. Your words, coming from an artist such as yourself, mean a great deal to me.

      Peace.

      Delete
  10. I won't be grateful for fewer posts from you, but if it means you can publish, then I'll be happy. Go forth and polish your writing in peace.

    Love,
    Janie

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    1. Dear Janie,
      Thanks for your encouraging words. I'm going to polish. Polish! Polish!

      Peace.

      Delete
  11. Interesting post. The way those vets were treated - mistreated - is a dark chapter (yet another) in our nation's history...I am a writer - it does take commitment -- good luck to you...I like to blog as well b/c it's fun to hear from so many other voices...thanks for stopping by mine...

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    1. Hello and thank you for wishing me luck. As you say, it's fun to hear from so many other voices and that's why I'm continuing to blog. I'm glad that I found your blog because it's a new ethernet voice, which I'm enjoying.

      Peace.

      Delete
  12. Your recollections bring up some very emotional connections. I certainly lost friends who died in the conflict and I have many things that come to mind. I've really appreciated your perspective, and you are really quite bold to even bring it all to the forefront given how people still can debate rather emotionally. Go forward with your plans to write for publication! By all means...just let us know how you're doing from time to time :-) Debra

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    1. Dear Debra,
      It's true that the topic of the war in Vietnam is still an emotional issue. I have only one or two more postings about it. My involvement was such a quiet one. I've never shouted or yelled or called the police "pigs" or shouted at LBJ. I've just gone my way, deciding what makes sense to me, and then acting on that. No big deal. Just a way of living a life.

      Peace.

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  13. I'm so excited to hear you're getting serious about being published! That will be a gift to all of us who love your stories, are inspired by them, carry them with us long after we've finished reading. If I can do anything to help, I'm here.

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    1. Dear Deb,
      Thank you for your offer of help. I hope that you, too, will be able to get back to your writing this summer after school ends. The lyricism of your prose always captures my imagination and touches all my senses. You have a gift to be cherished.

      Peace.

      Delete
  14. It's now or never, Dee. Best get started if you want to be serious about publishing. Blogging takes up far too much of my time to; I have given myself at least two days a week off from blogging.

    Getting your thoughts together into blogposts first will be a help. I found that as I start to recollect and collect in blogposts more and more memories come up which are to go into my memoir, but not into the blog.

    As I said before, even if I don't comment every time, I always catch up with you.

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    1. Dear Friko,
      I know you're right. Now or never. I've have four manuscripts written through several drafts and am ready to polish them.Then I need to think about a memoir. The blogposts have been such a help. I'm not sure whether to cover my whole life or simply the convent years or the teaching years. Lots to consider.

      And thank you for always catching up with my blog. I so appreciate that. I try never to miss one of your postings.

      Peace.

      Delete
  15. Dear Dee,

    You must complete your manuscripts. Never leave anything unfinished! I know they will be terrific.

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    1. Dear Arleen,
      Thank you for your belief in my writing. As I said to Friko in the above comment, I have four manuscripts ready for polishing. After that I'll start some original writing again.

      Peace.

      Delete
  16. Never stop following your heart nor your desire to write about what you lived and loved, Dee.
    Be well and happy,
    Pam

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    1. Dear Pam,
      Your words I think are so wise--following my heart and my longing to write about what I know. What I've lived. Thank you.

      Peace.

      Delete
  17. It is interesting that we all share the need to be heard. That you have decided to devote time to your writing seems so clear. We have all lived parallel lives with varied experiences. As we go to our final chapter we long to explore what our life really meant. The answer is in the wind my friend. I look forward to mre from you.

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    1. Dear Dee, There just are not enough hours in a day and they're not making anymore, either. Ha I certainly understand your need for time. I love blogging and all the neat and wonderful people I meet but I, too, had to cut way back.

      This series has been a memoir straight from your heart and a mighty readable job you're doing. You are making me try to jog my memory of that time but I think we were in different situations. I was up to my eyeballs in babies and diapers by then. It really does me good to read about those times again. Thank you so much.

      Delete
    2. Dear Heidi,
      That's the thing--exploring what our life has meant. I think we all want to find meaning, especially as we age and time becomes so fleeting. Thank you for expressing this so well.

      Peace.

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    3. Dee Manzanita,
      I know that you've cut back but all of us continue to follow you because of your fearlessness in sharing your opinions. I so appreciate knowing what you are thinking about what's happening in our world.

      I'm glad my postings "jog" your memory. Our lives probably have been very different--I never married or had children--but we share common dreams for our world and our country.

      Peace.

      Delete
    4. Dear Manzanita,

      I meant to say "Dear" not "Dee"!!!!

      Delete
  18. Great Post !!

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    1. Hello,
      I'll visit your giveaway and see about winning the $100 in merchandise.
      Thanks for stopping by.

      Peace.

      Delete
  19. Today as I read your work, Dee, I thought to myself: this needs a much wider audience. It's an incredible chronicle of social history. And so it' s my prayer that one day the world gets to read what's written here. All the best as you begin to write for publication.

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    1. Dear Kate,
      Thank you for your kind words of encouragement. Your blog that moves between today's happenings and the events and inventions and culture of the past always need to get read by "the world." Please think about doing something about that.

      Peace.

      Delete
  20. I'm so excited for you to polish your manuscripts! :0) I love your writing ;)

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    1. Dear Elisa,
      You are so kind. Thank you.

      Peace.

      Delete
  21. This is great writing. You certainly have the talent for it! :)

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    1. Dear Sujana,
      I find myself smiling at your praise. It's overcast today and your comment has me feeling truly light-hearted and able to do almost anything!

      Peace.

      Delete
  22. That war was sad. Our peoples response to our poor soldiers was sadder. My father was drafted but they didn't send him because he was flat footed. He felt bad about not going but is thankful now that he didn't have to. I appreciate all of our vets. Whether we agree with war or not it is not our soldiers faults and they should never be berated for following orders. It sickens me to think so many are. Thank you for sharing this Dee. Yes I'm having a good eye day. ")

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    1. Dear Melynda,
      What wonderful news--that you are having a good eye day! Thank you for coming here to this blog and commenting. I feel honored and privileged.

      Peace.

      Delete
  23. I look forward to your posts, and will take whatever you can send to us bloggers!

    This was a post that brought up so many memories. From a small town of less than 500 people, we lost several boys to the war. Then my cousin was killed in Vietnam during my freshman year at college.

    Hate the war, I said to the protestors, but be kind to the enlisted. They are not the ones who decided they should go to Vietnam.

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    1. Dear Susan,
      Thank you for sharing your memories. I didn't know anyone who went to Vietnam and died there, so your memories seem to me to be especially poignant. And what you said to the protesters was so wise: hate the war, but be kind to the enlisted.

      Peace.

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  24. Hi Dee, I am delighted you stopping by and enjoyed some warm southern sunshine by the sea.
    Out temps plunged into the 40's the last couple of nights but we should return to our normal 70 plus degrees tomorrow.
    I wish you a short winter, and long lovely spring!
    be well and happy,
    Pam :)

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    1. Dear Pam,
      Your whispers with photographs and text always make me feel sunny inside!

      Peace.

      Delete
  25. It is a joy to know that you are honoring your call to write for publication. I am grateful you will continue to give us some of your time.

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    1. Dear Kathryn Grace,
      Thank you for your graciousness.

      Peace.

      Delete
  26. Again, I enjoyed this post. Such wisdom from your words and it's a shame there aren't more people like you (and who felt like you did at the end of the war). My stepfather is a Vietnam Vet. Drafted. It definitely affected his life, but he'd never talk about it.

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    1. Dear Stephanie,
      I think that most veterans of that war--just like your stepfather--say little, it anything, about fighting there. They lost so much of their youth.

      I do believe that many, many people felt the same way I did about those who returned home. But an outspoken minority were unable to see beyond their own belief that the war was a travesty.

      Peace.

      Delete
  27. you can present yourself as you were, which makes it a great vehicle for the story. very interesting. eager to read along...

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    1. Dear Ed,
      Thank you for saying that I'm presenting myself as I was then. That's what I hope to do in this on-line memoir.

      Peace.

      Delete
  28. You have great power as a story teller, Dee! A voice that ought to be heard. I admire you for taking decisive action towards getting this accomplished. Big hug xoxo

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    1. Dear Desiree,
      Thank you for your words of encouragement. I so hope to get polished the ms. I've completed and then to do something about publishing and about starting a new manuscript. Lots to do and time seems so fleeting as I age.

      Peace.

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    2. Dee, at 75, you still have plenty of life in you :) We celebrated my FIL's 95th Birthday, yesterday. He still has an incredible mind and refuses to be beaten just because his body is at last beginning to grow feeble. My Mum is a couple of years older than you are and I certainly don't think of her as running out of time! Time is "fleeting" for us all! Just stay focussed on your goals and take small steps each day towards accomplishing them. Before you know it, you'll have done everything you set out to achieve and we'll all be here, cheering deafeningly from the sidelines.

      Delete
    3. Dear Desiree,
      Your respond to my response makes me smile--widely and broadly! I can just picture all of you "cheering deafeningly from the sidelines" as I cross the finish line, juggling e-books and paper books and, of course, awards!!!!!

      Peace.

      Delete
  29. Dear Dee,
    I'm so thrilled that you are taking the road to publishing seriously. If anyone should be published, it should be you! You are a natural story teller, engaging the reader and holding on. As everyone else has commented, go forth and publish! Lots of good suggestions, blog when the spirit moves you, or not. You aren't going to lose any of us!

    Big hugs to you!

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