After doing a number of concerts at various high schools around the US, I realized that I need to do this much more regularly. It has proven to me to be among the most effective ways to reach out to the general populace that I have found. Whether I have the opportunity to do more shows like this will depend on the interest of high school teachers, students and administrators (as well as other members of the community who know any such people). I hope somehow I will hear from them and have the chance to come to many more schools. Here is the gist below.
-- David
Military recruiters are an increasingly common presence in high school cafeterias around the US. In an effort to give students the opportunity to think critically about the military and the negative aspects of it that the recruiters don't talk about, David Rovics is available to come to your high school and balance the discussion with a coherent and entertaining anti-war perspective.
David is a staple musician in the US anti-war movement and has performed at hundreds of rallies, conferences and other events throughout the country -- often for dedicated crowds of a few dozen at a vigil and often for hundreds of thousands of people on the streets of New York City, Washington, DC and elsewhere.
His presentation mixes relevant information with relevant original songs. In a folksy, accessible way David will present the viewpoint that rather than a war of liberation, this is a war about oil -- Operation Iraqi Liberation (O.I.L.), as it was briefly named by the Bush administration (thus proving that material in the modern era comes "pre-satirized" from the powers that be).
He will talk about the disillusionment of the soldiers in Iraq, provide resources about what they themselves are saying about the war (such as www.militaryproject.org), talk about the dangers of Depleted Uranium munitions, Post-Traumatic Stress and other hazards soldiers are exposed to, and tell stories about disabled and neglected veterans returned from Iraq, such as The Face of Victory.
He will discuss the apparent contradiction between the basic tenets of Christianity ("thou shalt not kill") and the seemingly irreconcileable "war without an end." David will ask the question, Who Would Jesus Bomb?
He will talk about the US, international law, the Nuremberg Principles, and individuals such as helicopter pilot, Hugh Thompson, who decided to abide by them.
He will bring the human element into the discussion about war and talk about the civilian toll with songs like Hiroshima and Song for Basra.
He will discuss the historical justifications versus the realities of wars in which the US has participated, from the Alamo to the Lusitannia to the Gulf of Tonkin.
Finally, he will provide information about groups in civil society who are involved with assisting soldiers and veterans in various ways, such as Iraq Veterans Against the War, Military Families Speak Out, Veterans for Peace, the War Resisters League, and the Central Committee on Conscientious Objectors (all of which appear on the "Links" page).
Common sense says that students should be exposed to both sides of this argument. A functioning democracy requires an informed populace. A real "volunteer" military requires soldiers who know what they were actually volunteering for. To provide your school with this opportunity, contact David now, before more of your students make decisions which they may regret for the rest of their lives. You may also visit www.davidrovics.com for more information about David, his life and work.
"In a suburb bombarded with right wing, pro-war and militaristic propaganda, it was refreshing to have David Rovics perform for our students. With the appeal of a straight forward, poignantly honest Michael Moore, troubadour David Rovics provided our students with a variety of songs, ideas and opinions that echoed many student's own repressed ideas, lurking just beneath the surface of their minds, waiting for an articulate 'key' to set them free. Our discussions afterward indicated many teachers and our school has been remiss in exploring all sides of the issues. We plan to rectify that situation by inviting David to play again, as well as inviting others to sing or speak on these profound issues that confront our students today. We give military recruiters unfettered access to our children every day- it is only fair and the least we can do to offer constructive alternatives once in a while."
Mike Torney, York High School, Elmhurst, Illinois
"Our schools are being militarized. Nearly every day there are recruiters for the armed forces in our student cafeteria waiting to persuade students into enlisting. It is a reality many educators, including myself, find troubling. It undermines the work of education, of critical thinking and of hope. David's performance at Morton West was like a breath of fresh air. It was timely, historical and educational. His words and music evoked many great conversations for the classes that witnessed his art and poetry. It undoubtably opened up opportunity for critical thinking and historical analysis. If there is any possibility to have him perform at your school, Do It Now. It will prove to be a memorable and worthwhile educational experience for the students and faculty alike."
Rob Moriarty, Morton West High School, Berwyn, Illinois