Peace Activists in the War Room
by Karen Houppert, The Nation

I'm a sucker for fledgling political movements. There is something about sitting in a room with hundreds of activists who fervently believe they can change the world that sucks the usual irony right out of my keyboard (no matter how many times they sing "This Little Light of Mine" or "Sister" and "Brother" each other). The voyeur in me keeps one eye on the group dynamics and the other on the issues and secretly roots for the right agenda to be attached to the powerful personalities who will advance it. I am captivated by the tensions, the tempers, the battles, the reconciliations--the drama of it all. It is always fascinating but, once in a blue moon, it is something more. Every once in a while, such gatherings instill hope.

Full story here.