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Traprock Peace Center |
December , 1997
Dear Friend,
Traprock. To the geologist, that word describes a unique type of rock formation, a bit of the earth's crust. Our name honors our place, and reminds us that whatever we do, we always do it in a particular "somewhere." But it's more than earth-crust.
"Traprock." What else does it mean? What does it mean to you?
Eighteen years ago, Traprock was merely a twinkle in its parents' eyes. Woolman Hill School was closing its doors, and the Woolman Hill Board was looking for a new birth to take place. Beverly Woodward and Harvey Cox of the Boston area made a grand proposal and looked for local supporters. Randy Kehler, Frances Crowe, Gordon Faison, Pauline Bassett, and Meg Gage responded with enthusiasm.
Together these seven labored into being a new peace center, a place where the vision ofpeace and the hope of a different world might be nurtured.
Here the Nuclear Freeze was born, soon to spread all over the country and around the world, helping to ignite one of the greatest citizen movements in all of human history --- the movement to do away with the horror of nuclear weapons.
Since 1980, Traprock Peace Center has stood the test of time, bearing witness to peace in the face of war --- nuclear war, The Contra wars, Star Wars, the Persian Gulf War, and the war waged every day by the military-industrial complex against the poor of the world --- indeed against the world itself, against nature and our life systems on this fragile planet. This year we co-sponsored an important conference in Boston to abolish nuclear weapons --- poised to anihilate all life in minutes.
We have never pretended to have all the answers. But with the wisdom that comes from a beloved community struggling together, we hold fast to that place from which the true answers will always come --- that centered place of understanding. That center where we gather to hear, and to hope, and to honor what is essential.
At some point you joined us. Perhaps you gave of your time. Perhaps you gave of your resources, with a donation of money or goods. Perhaps you gave your good thinking. Or perhaps you simply listened and watched what Traprock was doing, and in your own way and in your own life, you bore witness. Whatever you did, in some way you have been a part of the Traprock community. And you still are.
None of us can know what we face in the next eighteen years. Maybe it is just as well that we don't know. But whatever happens, we can be sure that the forces of injustice and greed will still be with us, in brutal forms and noble guises.
But we won't be idle, and we won't be fooled, and we won't be complicit. We won't be quiet, and we won't be obedient, and we won't be afraid. Whether it's a new weapons system wasting billions of dollars, or a new war campaign, guaranteed to protect us from the next evil enemy, we will be looking clearly at the truth, we will be speaking out, and we will be acting to bring peace and justice to the fore.
This is what Traprock has always done, and it has never done it without your help. When the death penalty was on the verge of becoming law in Massachusetts, our friends looked here for help. Together we rallied immediately, organized vigils and leafleted nearby towns. A public voice for reason made the difference in this narrow victory.
When a neighbor wanted an audience for guests from Guatemala, we organized the local gathering. When an investigative journalist alerted us to plans for new weapons in space we broke the story on our "Peace in the Valley" radio program and organized the forum at the University of Massachusetts. All that we do --- endless phone calls, letter campaigns, press releases, radio interviews, local workshops, public rallies, church suppers, school activities, potluck gatherings, posters in town, you name it --- all of it can only be done with your support.
Whether it was the Nuclear Freeze of years past, the campaign against the death penalty this year, or efforts to relieve the effects of U.S. weapons in Chiapas, East Timor and Guatemala, ALL OF OUR WORK, GREAT AND SMALL, HAS BEEN DONE ONLY WITH THE SUPPORT OF YOU, OUR COMMUNITY.
Traprock Peace Center is indeed a place, but it is also an expanding vision and a dream of a peaceful and just world. And it is a community which binds those two together --- a small place on the earth, and a great dream of a world that can be. As you draw upon your resources this year to keep this small place alive and thriving, and as your commit yourself to the realization of that great dream, please think of the youngsters who now only hear the voice of the military recruiters. Please think of the young interns whose lives could be changed if we find a way a way for them to live here in the midst of this legacy, and in the midst of our creative collaboration.
In 1998 we look forward to creating new forms for New Years Day, Martin Luther King's Birthday, International Women's Day, Ghandi's Birthday, Indigenous People's Day (AKA Columbus Day), Hiroshima Day, Veteran's Day and Human Rights Day. These gatherings are focal points, turning points for a culture of compassion.
Without you we are only fond memories and unfulfilled possibilities. With you we are a powerful force that can bring a peaceful, cooperative reality into being. From the heart of peace that we all share, know that you are important; know that your gift matters; and please, please, do what you can.
We are a peace center because you are a peace center, On behalf of all who will be encouraged, our heartfelt thanks,
Stephen Cobb, President, Core Group
Sunny Miller, Program Coordinator
Kevin McVeigh, Advisory Group
Charlie Jenks, Core Group
Donations are tax deductable. For information, please contact:
Phone: (413) 773-7427; Fax:(413)773-7507; traprock@crocker.com
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