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THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN WWW.KANSAN.COM | FOURTH OF JULY | MONDAY, JULY 2. 2007
Films challenge traditional viewpoints
Group organizes festival to raise awareness and circumvent'mindless patriotism'
By Sam Carlson
scarlson@kansan.com
While many people will be barbecuing or watching sparklers burn, a group of Lawrence residents will be celebrating Independence Day in an entirely different way.
Two films about the Iraq War will be shown in the Solidarity! Revolutionary Center & Radical Library, 1109 Massachusetts St.
"What better time to raise awareness?" said Ellen Waters, Springfield, Mo. junior, and Solidarity volunteer.
Waters said she didn't want the Fourth of July to become a symbol
of Americans "blindly accepting the system."
"That's wonderful if someone wants to celebrate their nation," said Nancy Deleau, a Solidarity volunteer. "My concern would be that there's a whole lot of celebration without consciousness."
Deleau said the films will aim to correct that problem by making people more aware of what's going on in Iraq.
The first film, "Battleground: 21 Days on the Empire's Edge," is the story of two filmmakers who spent time on the front lines.
The second feature, "The Dreams of Sparrows," is told by five Iraqi filmmakers and illustrates the climate of Baghdad after the United States military presence.
Joe Carr, a Solidarity volunteer and a member of the Kansas Mutual Aid, said that people should avoid "mindless patriotism" and know the history behind Independence Day in order to understand what they're celebrating.
"Recognize that what we think of as our freedom is coming at the cost of other people, from American Indians to enslaved blacks to the third world today that supports our entire way of life," Carr said. "If we're interested in true freedom... we need to stand with the people of the third world or the oppressed people in
this country."
On June 25, Solidarity volunteers joined anti-war protestors in a march down Massachusetts Street. before congregating in South Park to discuss ways to help end the war.
"Some people will be reached better by a film festival and some will be reached better by a protest or a march and therefore both are necessary," she said.
Deleau said that although a film festival lacks the intensity of a march, it is still an effective method of getting a message across.
Edited by Ben Smith
fourth of july calendar
Iraq War Film Fest Solidarity! Revolutionary Center & Radical Library, 1109 Massachusetts St. 4:30 p.m.-Battleground:21 Days on the Empire's Edge 6:30 p.m.-The Dreams of Sparrows Cost:Free
Lawrence Annual Fireworks Show
Burcham Park, Second and Indiana streets Fireworks begin at dusk Cost: Free