Veterans For Peace, Chapter 10 (www.vfpchapter10.org) and the Kateri Tekakwitha Interfaith Peace Conference (www.
The purpose of our contest is to encourage everyone to find their voice for peace and to end war and war preparations. The imperative for this is the ‘fierce urgency of now” and the literal survival of humanity. What we would like to see are letters (250 words or less) and op-eds (500 to 700 words) which illustrate the connections between poverty, racism, climate change and militarism. We also encourage connections to the Poor People’s Campaign
For example, without confronting war and militarism, we cannot have a meaningful environmental program to stop catastrophic climate change. Without confronting war and militarism, we will never have adequate funding for health care, housing, education, childcare nor will we be able to solve the problems of poverty, gun violence, and myriad others. We will not be able to address racism either or the hatred that comes from demonizing others.
To enter our contest write A Letter to the Editor or an op-ed piece and send it to Dan Wilcox at dwlcx@earthlink.net, or mail four hard copies to Mr. Dan Wilcox, 280 S. Main Street, Albany, NY 12208, one with identification including your name, address, phone number, email youth or adult and the other copies without identification.
How the contest will be judged.
A panel of three judges will consider each submission for content and clarity. The judges will read each submission blind (without the name of the author) and award a maximum of 80 points to each entry.
We are strongly encouraging everyone to submit their letters to their own local area publications. In the Albany, NY area: The Times Union or Daily Gazette or to national outlets such as the Washington Post, LA Times or the NYT. Even publication in your local penny saver papers is fine, any hard copy publication. 20 points will be awarded for published submissions, published between May 20, 2018, and August 1, 2018. All submission must be received by Dan Wilcox by August 1. We encourage everyone to start immediately to ensure possible publication. Verification of hard copy publication is required. Please notify Dan Wilcox of the date, name, and source of publication
Multiple submissions are fine. Only one prize per contestant is permitted. If occurring, ties will be decided by a random drawing. Our contest winner’s letters will be read on Saturday, August 18 at the Kateri Peace Conference in Fonda, NY. Contestants also grant permission to VFP Chapter 10 and the Kateri Tekakwitha Interfaith Peace Conference the right to publish their letters on their respective websites.
Veterans For Peace is a national and international organization. For thorough information about Veterans For Peace please go to https://www.veteransforpeace.org.
