Professors for Peace and Justice question, debate politics

Pittsburgh Professors for Peace and Justice are making efforts to reform political… Pittsburgh Professors for Peace and Justice are making efforts to reform political consciousness.

PPJ held an open forum on Sept. 13 in Posvar Hall to discuss the situation in Iraq and the anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001. Nearly 200 people, including professors, students, and local activists, attended the event.

PPJ was founded last year in response to the American treatment of Sept. 11, with the mission of researching events and sharing that research to further inform the public, according to members Mark Ginsburg and Clark Henderson. Its members include faculty from colleges in Pittsburgh, such as Pitt, Carnegie Mellon University and Carlow College, who meet to discuss issues pertaining to the war on terror.

According to Ginsburg and Henderson, recent meetings have been focused on the possible attack on Iraq. Ginsburg added that, typically, 15 to 20 faculty members attend the meetings and someone leads the topic of conversation, which requires that they share research.

Ken Boas and Kelly Happe led the first discussion, raising questions about the situation in the Middle East.

Boas and Happe addressed American favoritism of the Israelis and said they wondered if Americans could find sympathy for the oppressed Palestinians.

“To prevent catastrophe in the Middle East, isn’t it our responsibility to tell the stories that affirm the Palestinian people?” Boas asked.

To finalize the discussion, Boas said, “Why do we buy into the idea that war in the Middle East makes the world safer? Osama made his grievances to clear to the world: stop oppressing and destroying the Palestinians.”

In the second segment, speaker Carol Stabile discussed the media and patriotism and their effects in the war on terror, emphasizing the importance for the American public to seek education and alternative news sources.

In an interview, Stabile elaborated about the media, saying that “in the university, we have the responsibility to educate people about this; we have the knowledge. I have studied the media, and I have all this information. As researchers, we put together separate accounts.” She continued, saying, “Only one viewpoint is being offered and that’s the current administration’s. We must ask ourselves, why don’t we see alternative accounts?”

Stabile said she was impressed with the turnout of the forum and wondered if there were people all over the nation with the same concerns. She concluded, saying, “Things are changing as we speak.”

Following Stabile, Carrie Rentschler addressed the media’s handling of the anniversary. Rentschler re-emphasized the responsibility Americans have to be educated and outspoken.

After the debate, Rentschler spoke in regards to the way in which the anniversary of Sept. 11 was handled. “To focus on remembrance and mourning, didn’t provide space for dissent. People should talk about the war on terror.” She continued rather adamantly, “People within the White House have said that Sept. 11 is very important as an emotional basis for going to war with Iraq.”

Sayed Saleh Waziruddin, Muslim co-founder of the local activist group Zi and founder of the Free Getu Coalition, led the third segment. He spoke about the tension and life adjustments of American-Muslim population since Sept. 11.

Waziruddin felt that after Sept. 11, the calls for unity excluded the Muslim population, which he believed was suddenly seen as suspicious simply for looking different.

Waziruddin concluded with a charge for the group.

“There is hope since we are here today. Let’s spread the ideas,” he said.