Wellness Foundation presents "Democracy at Risk" at STS-13
by Bernice Hauser
Primary Education CorrespondentThe session, "Democracy At Risk," chaired by Jeremy Wright and Deva Beck of the Wellness Foundation at the Thirteenth National STS Meeting in Naperville, IL, on 6 March, was a unique, spiritual journey into our personal reflections upon the legacy which each of us wishes to bestow upon our children and the future inhabitants of this earth. Imploring us to consider the multinational alliances and corporations who are using and destroying the earth's environment and its people in pursuit of ever increasing profits, Wright urged us to seize the gauntlet and take action against these same international corporations and their trade lawyers who, he informs us, are restructuring the laws so that they can override the sovereignty of nations and not be bound by the restraints and restrictions of federal statues, state, city or local laws. He cited the case in which the state of California banned oil additives in specific products only to discover that these very same trade lawyers were able to have the law overturned by a judge's ruling that California's "action in restraint of trade was illegal." The EPA is still reeling from this ruling.
If these corporations are not thwarted, Wright added, they will in due time replace public law with private laws leading toward corporate dictatorship. This does not bode well for human beings, for labor organizations, for the environment, for our children, and for future generations. Driven by greed, he continued, they already control 30% of the global resources. They look upon individuals as "units of production" which are readily available to them. After all, are these corporations not creating jobs? Are they not making the global economy better? Are these economies not benefitting everyone?
Wright suggested that each one of us can make a difference. We can write our legislators, tear up our credit cards, be wary of seductive messages from the media to become mass consumers and to spiritually and cognitively become a proactive person. If each one of us can make a small difference, then collectively we can make a huge profound difference.
The Wellness Foundation has produced an hour-long video which conveys the message that human beings can replenish the earthÕs resources, that they can save the earth by rising above the reptilian mind-set and instead protect its people and the natural environment. For a group such as the NASTS membership, this video does not offer any new material, but for certain targeted groups, if carefully edited, it offers a compelling and effective message. The cross section of depicted groups and the juxtaposition of polluted, destroyed areas with vigorous young children is quite striking. I especially admired the vignettes of grass-roots action undertaken by third world inhabitants.
What was missing from this session was the necessary banter, conversation, and inter-group dialogues and questions from the audience that would have shed light on this seemingly intractable dilemma. After all, these alliances and corporations are here to stay. They are only one side of the coin, and we are the other. Thus we have to forge productive alliances, (albeit uneasy necessary ones) if we are going to rein in excesses and change the course of these corporate actions and decisions. Some of the flowery music selections and scenery need to be deleted as we delight in hearing and seeing more of the groundswell from an irate citizenry.
Both Wright and Beck display much knowledge about their chosen issues. They are passionate about their subject area. However, they would be more productive and effective if they were less angry and more forthcoming with substantive data to support their arguments.
Home Spring 98 Full Screen
The TEACHERS CLEARINGHOUSE FOR SCIENCE AND SOCIETY EDUCATION