Cindy Sheehan Helped Progressives To Define Our Identity

By Kelly Patrick Gerling

Cindy electrified the peace movement when it needed it—early in 2005 in the middle of the occupation of Iraq. And she did much more.

She has a degree in history. This sort of background may have helped her penetrate the veils of propaganda to see that the invasion and occupation were not mere “mistakes” but were and are immoral crimes. And she did something else. Something even more important. She helped define the *identity* of those seeking a better world and better US policies.

For example, she said this in an interview with Joshua Frank:

“We need to take Hillary and [Nancy] Pelosi on to reflect true progressive antiwar values, not AIPAC or neocon values . . .”

That phrase “true progressive” is one she used many times. And her actions exemplified it. She meant the term as values that apply even beyond matters of war and peace, to how we see and shape the world. It amounts to defining a true (not fake) progressive worldview. Here is an example from an article she wrote:

” . . . true progressives have many issues that we focus rightly on: a woman’s right to have control over her own reproductive system and other human rights issues such as an end to the occupation of Palestine and the atrocities of Darfur and the Sudan.”

She is referring to Scott Ritter’s call to adopt what she called “warrior” tactics to oppose war. She said to Scott Ritter in this article published at Common Dreams:

“We won’t use the tactics of Napoleon, or your hero, Sun Tzu, we will use the tactics of our heroes: Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr.”

Her formulation of a true progressive identity is not only a politically unifying concept. It is also an essential tactic to prevent “progressive” as an identity from being co-opted by non-progressive, pro-militarist, corporate Democrats. (I’m not referring to Scott Ritter here but to groups like the DLC and its so-called “Progressive Policy Institute” which actually advocates pro-militarist policies in support of “winning the war against jihadist terrorism” not progressive policies that deal with the root causes of terrorism such as occupation.)

As someone both defining and exemplifying that which is truly progressive, she has done more than electrify and amplify a peace movement. By her clear words and courageous actions she has helped clarify and strengthen our progressive identity for politics across parties and groups—an authentic politics of worldview and of values, not merely a party seeking power.

Personally, I hope she runs for the House or the Senate after she rests for a while. But regardless of what she does or doesn’t do, she helped us know what it means to be and think like a true progressive.

Kelly Patrick Gerling is a psychologist specializing in applying cognitive and social science to conflict resolution and leadership. His practice involves mediation and coaching for conflict resolution as well as helping organizations discover and practice their values through Values Based® Leadership. He’s a co-founder of the Kansas Progressive Caucus and a member of PDA. He can be reached through his website at http://www.leadershipproject.net

Please wish Cindy well by adding a comment.

Listen to Tony Trupiano interview Cindy Sheehan.