NACLA as Coalition
Tyson, Brady
"From the beginning, several distinct groups have worked together to create NACLA. Organizationally, the prime movers were SDS and University Christian Movement personnel. Also participating were...
...But, as Bill went on to say, these alliances are not based on suspicion, but on honest dif- ferences in opinions and/or attitudes...
...As long as the essentially associational nature of NACLA is remembered, and it is conceived of as a forum and not a movement, these differences can contribute to a common, deeper understanding of U.S.-Latin American relations and can aid in defining common action projects...
...Further, we have tensions between the 'Christers' (Catholic and Protestant) and those who have no par- ticular religious motivation...
...S For instance, there are some of us in NACLA who are convinced that 'violence is reactionary'..., while " others hold that there is no hope for Latin America except through a violent social revolution...
...S Because of this diverse background, NACLA has developed what Steve Weissman has called a 'pragmatic approach,' or a 'popular front.' All of us work together in what Bill Rogers at Cornell called...a series of uneasy alliances...
...Some feel " that the major task is to educate the American public, or to create a radical alternative to present attitudes S and policies...
...And they need not be disruptive but can perhaps provide the creative stimulation needed to force the birth of a radical new conceptual framework for the study of Latin Ameri- ca...
...Still others look upon NACLA as a way to form a cadre for the radical reorganizam tion of American society...
...Also participating were New Peace Movement people, "traditional" pacifists, left-Catholics, labor movement people, returned Peace Corps " Volunteers and various young professors and graduate students...
...A few feel it is legitimate and helpful to appeal to officials in the establishment in the hope of * modifying some policies...
Vol. 36 • November 2002 • No. 3
