Letters to the Editor

Looking beyond the University for the spirit of America

On Oct. 8, the Princeton Peace Network held a peace rally in Firestone Plaza in response to American bombing of select Taliban-sponsored military sites in Afghanistan. Fifteen feet away, I, along with approximately 10 other students, held a silent gathering in support of American troops and American action. We surrounded an American flag, spoke with reporters and debated with those involved in the peace rally.

During the Princeton Peace Network's hour-long rally, which was littered with highly enlightened chants such as "One, two, three, four, we don't want this f—-ing war," we found heartening support from unexpected friends. More than ten construction workers and University employees suddenly gathered with us in support of America. They approached us hesitantly at first, but once they confirmed that we were indeed supporting our country, they would exclaim, "You're the good guys; we'll stand with you!" Construction workers, and other blue-collar workers, may not be as institutionally educated as Princeton students or faculty, yet Princetonians have a great deal to learn from them. Many Princetonians lose real-world perspective sitting in their dorms, graduate study rooms and offices. Some students have chosen to ignore the fact that evil truly does exist in this world. There is a world outside of the utopian campus bubble, and real people live there.

Among those at the peace rally, I saw many of the same faces that had been so adamant about workers' rights last spring during the WROC campaign. Isn't it rather ironic that these same people now ignore the honest sentiments of the blue-collar employees they were trying to empower just a short time ago? It's pure hypocrisy.

The truth be told, evil people such as Osama bin Laden and his lieutenants hate Americans and their freedoms. Thankfully, most construction workers and working-class Americans still recognize the fundamental difference between wrong and right. They understand that this may be a long war and, if history repeats itself, they, not upper-class intellectual Princetonians, will be the ones who must fight and die in distant lands to defend the American dream. They realize that, as President Bush put it, "Freedom has been attacked, and freedom must be defended." Blue-collar workers know that we must fight for freedom. They also realize that murderers must be brought to justice. It's common sense. These are in fact times that try men's souls, and despite the fact that many of them are staunch Democrats, they proudly support America's president.

Since Sept. 11, the construction workers have been the only group on campus that has shown consistent patriotism — placing American flags on their cars and trucks and wearing the colors on their helmets and t-shirts. For me, nothing on Oct. 8 was more meaningful than standing beside them. They understand what it means to be dutiful citizens and they embody the true American spirit. These people represent the best of America, and I am proud to stand with them beside our sacred flag. Peter B. Hegseth '03