To the editor:
I feel that the Lamron published a pretty decent article covering our event last year. I was happy that the article properly noted that our demonstration was not targeting any specific conflict in the world, rather as a collective call for peace.
I was slightly uncomfortable with the two opinion pieces, as they both directly referred to it as an anti-Iraq War protest, which it was not. Certainly members of the peace sign hold concern for the conflict in Iraq, and I think its safe to say that we all wish for peace there, but our creation of the human peace sign was not in protest of the war.
Our event is open to the interpretation of all who view it and hear about it. I recognize that last year, and this year, some people were under the understanding that we were just a bunch of naked people. That being said, I would like people to have a better understanding of our actions, and why it is that we are partaking in this event.
So why did I take interest in planning Naked for Peace? Why naked, and why for peace? I think that the answer of "why for peace" is quite evident. Wake up. Read the news headlines. We need peace in the world.
So, why naked then? I feel that peace is one of the most natural and beautiful things. The human body, too, is very natural and beautiful. Using our naked bodes as political tools to create a living peace sign connects these two points. Yes, it's provocative. And yes, it is against social norms. That is why it makes such a strong statement.
Focus should not be on the fact that we are naked; our naked bodies are nothing more than a tool. As the artist uses the paintbrush to paint his masterpiece, I am using my naked body as a building block to create a peace sign. Peace should be the focus.
-John Whelehan
Senior