“Our only hope today lies in our ability to recapture the revolutionary spirit and go out into a sometimes hostile world declaring eternal hostility to poverty, racism, and militarism.” Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., April 4, 1967
On April 4, 1967, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered a groundbreaking speech in which he famously made the link between the war in Vietnam and the “giant triplets” of militarism, racism, and poverty. Unfortunately, his message resounds all too clearly today with regards to our involvement in Iraq and elsewhere, and the link between our country’s militarism abroad and poverty at home. In Georgia, our communities spiral further into poverty while the war in Iraq continues into its seventh year. Young people see no option to pay for school other than joining the military. Meanwhile, 35,000 four-year scholarships to colleges and universities could have been given for what we spend on just one day of the war. There is a new sense of hope in 2009, particularly among young people, yet that energy and excitement must be harnessed and focused for any of this hope to materialize.
The American Friends Service Committee and the Georgia Peace and Justice Coalition are organizing a three-day convergence for Georgia youth that will allow us to garner this energy. Dr. King’s “Beyond Vietnam” speech will serve as the “grounding text” for the weekend. After you register we will send you a link to this speech. The goals of the gathering include creating an organized youth network for the state of Georgia, training and empowering youth to organize in their home communities, and laying the foundation for one collective action planned by the youth present at the convergence. Experienced organizers and activists will offer workshops on topics such as carrying out effective nonviolent direct action, closing the school to prison pipeline, countering military recruitment, and jumpstarting community organizing.
Logistical Information:
The Be the Change Convergence will take place as historic Koinonia Farm in Americus, Georgia. Koinonia, founded in 1942, seeks to embody peacemaking, sustainability, and radical sharing. While honoring people of all backgrounds and faiths, they strive to demonstrate a way of life that is an alternative to materialism, militarism and racism. Koinonia is the birthplace of Habitat for Humanity and many other peacemaking, social justice organizations. This location will ground us in our state’s long history of work for peace and justice. In addition to the historical significance, Koinonia includes hundreds of beautiful acres, 22 indoor beds, 48 campsites, plenty of bathrooms, warm showers, a full kitchen, and wireless internet access.
Koinonia is located at 1324 GA Highway 49 S, Americus, GA 31709. For more information on Koinonia, including a map, please see www.koinoniapartners.org.
