The following people were quoted in the article “Conflict at passive protest,” which appeared in the April 3 issue. They wished to clarify statements attributed to them as well as aspects of the story. — Perspectives editors.
The quote is inaccurate. I used the pronoun “we” instead of “I” and explained that I was speaking on behalf of the group at the die-in, because they were not speaking and asked me to represent the group Additionally, part of the quote I stated on behalf of the group was that Iadorola talked at length with the other group but did not come over to talk to us. That is the reason the quote was said and the way it was used was taken out of context.
Secondly, the phrases “pro-American” and “anti-war” showed a huge bias in Loquitur. I also stressed on behalf of the group that our group was “pro-American” but that we held a differing view-point on a stance that the majority of Americans take.
The way the phrases were used implied that our group was anti-American, which is incorrect. Just because Americans have different points-of-view does not make them against America. On the contrary, it’s being American that gives us the freedom to speak out against government actions that we believe to be unjust. The editors should have picked up on this point.
Amy Gassen
I shared with both groups that I was proud of our students:
