| A Blast From the Past! |
| The following article and photograph are from an issue of the Southern Bell from November of 1969, our Senior year. |
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| On Wednesday, Oct. 15, South High felt the effects of the Moratorium called for that day. Approximately 750 students were recorded as absent for the day; the number of these who were involved in the protest is unknown, as is the number of students who left during the day with the intention of working in the Moratorium. For those who had come to school, the day was generally slow and unproductive; the high absence certainly had affected the normal routine in most classes. |
| Organization and formal stands on the Moratorium came mostly from outside the school. Buttons and flyers were seen often, prior to the date. We will begin to: "Liberate our consciences Protest senseless murder Plead for building not burning Demand immediate withdrawal from Vietnam Now Pray for peace." "A mourners silence Dark Still Hushed Terrifying Sad Terrible Like Death." The accomplishment seems unclear still, but opinions (though none officially voiced by the administration) are strong. Following are two arguments on the issue. AGAINST - by David Fink Has Nixon really a plan to end the war in Vietnam? He claimed he did prior to his election in 1968, and that he would reveal it after his election. He also stressed the fact that the youth of today should be listened to -- that they had something to say. It has now been nine months since his election, and the President has not yet given birth to his ingenious plan, while over 40,000 men have been killed in Vietnam." He has also said that the demonstrations being planned will not affect his policies; that the country cannot be ruled by the people of the streets (quite ludicrous when we realize that that the people of the streets have indirectly put him in office). October 15th was set as "M day" Moratorium Day, the day of working for peace. It didn't look like anything out of the ordinary would happen; more demonstrations, like times in the past. Buttons were distributed, bumper stickers put on cars, and the usual "Oh yeah, I'll work that day" promise made by many. Perhaps it was the cool thing to do, or perhaps it was Nixon's statements of ignoring our thought but whatever it was, to 500 people marching up the 5th Ave. 10 years of being harassed by students and teachers alike two years ago for wearing black armbands,, turned into 100,000 people in Boston Commons, at least 250,000 people participating in New York City, 20,000 candle bearers in Eisenhower |
| Park, and over 200 students from South covering Lynbrook and Valley Stream, collecting over 10,000 signatures opposing the war in Vietnam. Perhaps more would have worked that day, but had to attend school to take exams that their "distinguished" teachers had so "innocently" decided to give (it was reported that 750 were absent from South that day.) We waited as Eisenhower and Kennedy sent "advisers" to Vietnam. We waited for Johnson to fulfill his promise of bringing piece, and we listened to Nixon's continuation of his promise. But it seems as though the time for waiting is growing short. The "Commies, traitors, radicals and hippies" who once were the only ones trying for peace were now supported by intellectuals, politicians, schoolteachers, clergymen, and school administrations. Many schools had assemblies and "teach-ins" discussing both positions on the war. As expected our school did not; the administrators most likely felt the subject of Vietnam to be to controversial to be discussed in school; they even allowed tests to be given that day. Former Chief Negotiator at the Paris Peace Talks (remember them) Averill Harriman, summed up the prevailing mood when he said to the participants at the October 15th rally: "Now you've started something, and no one can stop you. President Nixon said he wouldn't pay attention to your voices. Now he's going to have to pay attention." FOR - by Ira Belsky The so-called Vietnam Day Moratorium of Oct. 15 has been labeled as many different things -- traitorous, glorious, foolish, or successful. I have my own labels and ideas. Before considering anything else, we must remember what this Moratorium was organized for. Its organizers planned it to be a show-ing of people who were in support of "IMMEDIATE WITHDRAW-AL -- NOW!" It's goal then was extreme, and it seems likely that the great percentage of those who took part in the protest were oblivious to this and were not in full accord with that purpose. It became the day, as Mayor Lindsey proposed, for peace and mourning. But is there ANYONE today who doesn't want peace in Vietnam? The hope for such peace is not confined to one day; it is there are al-ways.We should consider the soldier who is now serving in Vietnam. After seeing such a display of non-support, how does he feel? There he is, in a foreign country, and he can't even get support from back home. How would you feel? Then consider the enemy. What reason is there for the enemy to work for peace at a conference table when he sees the lack of support for it in our country? Surely it will be simpler for him to sit back and wait for us to pull away. I don't think this moratorium has helped our chances for peace; instead they have been hindered. Some of the occurrences rising out of this day were disgraceful. One such occurrence was the official excusing of pupils in New York City public schools. Does a demonstration for peace warrant a breakdown of the systems of our country? Who is to say now what is or isn't a legal excuse for absence? A precedent has now been set which should never have been made. The most important argument against the days is that if offered no concrete solution. Immediate withdrawal is no answer. First of all, it could never be done in the short time many think it could. Second, if would leave too many things undone, and most important of all, it would leave too many people in need of help. Is this the American Way - running out on a problem? |