Peace Fest protesters harken back to the ’60s

By Keith Caesar argus editor-in-chiefBreak out your tambourines and acoustic guitars and take a trip back to the era when war was waged and students protested the war itself.Wait, this is the 21st century and no protest is good protest. Right?While the students of some colleges and universities have remained remarkably silent in this time of war, others have picked up the mike and led the charge in expressing their thoughts and views toward the American-led war on Iraq.About 200 people were in attendance, including residents from all over Guilford County and neighboring communities.The program was sponsored by the Greensboro Peace Coalition and the Peace and Conflict Studies Department at Guilford College.What seemed ripped out of the movement of the late ’60s resurrected itself in Dana Auditorium late last month as attendees took part in the Fest to make it known that war is not always the best answer.Performers at the event included noted artists from the local area as well as Winston-Salem State University’s Lorenzo Meachum and The Burke Singers.The event also featured John McCutcheon, a nationally renowned folk musician. For Guilford College it was a jumpstart to a week of activities, all promoting the concept of peace. Meachum had the audience providing the beat as he sang his rendition of “Walk Around the Wall.”Dr. DiWalla Simmons Burke took center stage and offered the audience a poem written by Sonia Sanchez.Later, her Burke Singers offered nine selections that drew not one, but two, standing ovations from the Fest attendees.When asked whether persons of color had been vocal enough about this war, Brenda Hines of Burlington said it was important that these issues are brought to the forefront. She added that blacks should especially be vocal when it comes to these issues and how they relate to the experience of blacks. “It’s a question of racism, and we need to combat it as much as possible,” said Hines. “It’s an opportunity for people to put action into order.”She wore a shirt that featured writing in Hebrew, Arabic and English, but each of the script said the same thing and revealed what everyone in attendance were eventually hoping for form the conflict with Iraq.Peace.