From Port Huron to Kent State Conference
Kent State University, Ohio, May 30-31, June 1-2, 2002
To: Old friends and new, x-sds, seniors for a democratic society,
survivors for a democratic society, veterans of the movements past and activists of today.
Hello
Notes introducing a discussion:
Many people have suggested "we" need, for now, what "the Port Huron
Statement" did in the 1960's, a manifesto of our times by young people
of all ages, ready and engaged in action. A "new" Port Huron Statement now
would have to bridge many generations and represent better the diversity
of the world and engage better some of the unresolved controversies of
change the world politics.
A new Port Huron Statement would probably be some combination of a
compendium of experiences by those who did and learned what many dreamed
about, and new assertions of perspective, free from the shackles of
experience, responding to new conditions, rooted in the many fronts of
the struggle now all over the world.
What should be said in a new statement, of use for action, helping
cooperation and focus?
A conference is planned at Kent State University, Ohio, May 30-31, June
1-2, 2002, in part, to evaluate the response to this question.
I agreed to be "a coordinator," gathering words and reflecting them
back, extending the invitation to participate and helping get a process
together, trying to be a model of collective writing and participatory democracy.
