- Originally published in Essence, March, 2005
Copyright 2005 Essence Communications, Inc.
INTERVIEW BY KRISTAL BRENT ZOOK
THE COURAGE OF CONVICTION
Congresswoman Barbara Lee
(D-CA) found herself at the center of a political maelstrom just three
days after the September 11, 2001, attacks. She became the only member
of Congress to vote against a resolution giving President Bush
authority to use "all necessary. . . force" against terrorists. Lee,
58, argued that the Constitution requires a full debate about war and
that giving the President unchecked power was in direct conflict with
democratic principles. For her dissent, she faced death threats from a
few fanatics bent on military action. On the eve of the second
anniversary of the conflict in Iraq, Lee talks about war, peace and
what it takes to let your conscience be your guide.
Kristal Brent Zook: Black women
have always been opposed to the Iraq war in disproportionate numbers
compared with other racial groups and even compared with Black men. Why?
Congresswoman Barbara Lee:
We have a history of fighting against terror. We know how to fight, and
we don't back down. But we also know that we've got to provide for our
children, that we need health care and housing and clean water. Black women
understand that we need security in our daily lives, and that war does
not create stable communities. We also know young people are joining
the military for other reasons, like getting an education and a job.
These opportunities should be available to them without having to
enlist.
K.B.Z.: Why are you so vocal in your opposition to the Bush Administration?
B.L.:
We're moving in the wrong direction. And I worry that the Bush
Administration will see a second term as a mandate to roll back the
clock on so many gains that women and African-Americans
have made, such as the right to choose and the right to privacy. These
are all being eroded. I worry that they're going to push a right-wing
neoconservative agenda. We've got to protect ourselves. And we've got
to educate the public.
K.B.Z.: Why do you think he won?
B.L.:
What you have is 118,775 votes in Ohio. That was the difference. So
this was not a mandate. A University of Maryland study showed that 75
percent of Bush supporters believed that there was a clear link between
Saddam Hussein and Al Qaeda. A third of them believed that weapons of
mass destruction had been found in Iraq. So it was sheer
misinformation. People were simply not informed.
K.B.Z.: How did you handle those death threats?
B.L.:
I always draw from my faith. Let me read you something. It's from
Ephesians, chapter 6, verses 13 to 15: "Put on the full armor of God,
so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your
ground. . . . Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around
your waist. . . and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes
from the Gospel of peace." Life presents all types of challenges, but I
always go back to Scripture, and sooner or later the storm passes.
K.B.Z.: Your enemies also called you unpatriotic.
B.L.:
Having been raised in a military family and seeing my dad, who is a
retired lieutenant colonel and veteran of World War II and the Korean
War, I understand what patriotism really means. It's about having the
right to dissent. You cannot have a democracy that does not allow for
dissent. To the extremists and far-right wingers, I just said, "Shame
on you." Peace is patriotic.
K.B.Z.: With so much going on in our lives, how can we find the strength and feel empowered to stand up for our communities?
B.L.:
It's up to us to define what America's agenda should be and to assert
ourselves with every breath we have. It's about survival, and Black
women can do it. This is our moment. The wisdom of African-American
women is so important. I was a single mother raising two boys, and it
was very difficult. So trust me, I understand what it is to raise kids
and just survive. But we don't have the option to say we're in survival
mode. I don't think we can say we're too busy to help in our churches,
schools or communities. You can't say no. You have to say yes.