02/18/04

Dear Pinkocommiebastard,
I am seriously thinking about joining the Peace Corps. I can be accepted and shipped off a few weeks after graduation this year, but I would also like to go to college. Here is my dilemma: It will be easier for me to get in after I get out of college and then I can really help out in the Corps, but I take a look at this world and I think to myself, ‘For the last eight years of my life I have preaching my values and now its time to take action.’ This world – and country - are quickly going down the tubes and now is the time to get active, not later. So what do you think the best course of action should be? Is now the time to become active or should I wait until I have an education under my belt?

Hup Two Three Four. I Love the Peace Corps

Dear Love,
Your letter gave poor pinkocommiebastard quite a start. Did they bring back the draft? It’s a good thing he picked up a newspaper before swallowing half the pills in our communal medicine cabinet in order to induce an irregular heartbeat.

No, the Bushies haven’t brought back the draft yet. So, why in the heck do you want to join the Peace Corps? The Peace Corps has always been America’s way of exporting imperialism under the guise of youthful idealism. Do you honestly think you’re going to be teaching people how to farm, who have successfully been farming for centuries? Global economic oppression – not a lack of “skills” - keeps Third World nations poor. Sending young idealists to help “business find markets for traditional or value-added products” (a direct quote from the Peace Corps’ website) is no substitute for sharing the material resources of the globe!

You’ll have to excuse pinkocommiebastard. He gets so worked up sometimes. You did ask a sincere and heartfelt question (our first!), so you deserve a response in kind.

First off, pinkocommiebastard applauds your consideration of other options, besides college. Too many students sleepwalk through school without any goals or direction, and too many more tailor their educations to meet requirements of jobs that will not be waiting for them when they graduate (pinkocommiebastard’s degree in Basket-weaving isn’t worth the paper it’s printed on; damn those automated basket-weaving machines!). Perhaps you would benefit from some real world experience before enrolling in college. There’s no rule that says you have to go to college immediately after high school, or, indeed, at all. (In fact, some would argue that since all hope for positive change in the world is gone, the best we can do is move to Montana, live in a tree, and organize armed militia.)

There is also no rule that says you have to dedicate yourself completely to making the world a better place. It’s not selfish to continue your education now. You can form a local chapter of Food Not Bombs and feed the homeless on weekends (but, please, none of that vegan shit; they’ve suffered enough). You can join or organize a campus progressive student organization and bring speakers to your campus who will encourage more of your fellow students to join you in making the world a better place. You can run for student government and start a divestment campaign to stop your school from investing in military contractors and other unpleasant things.

And then you have your summers, when you can intern with the Socialist Party, or the War Resister’s League, or join the AFL-CIO’s Union Summer program.

Whatever path you choose, pinkocommiebastard wishes you many heartbreaking, discouraging years of frustrating toil on behalf of the struggle for a better world. Rest assured, though, comrade that the good times will come.

Peace,
Pinkocommiebastard

Feeling pressure? The “Man” got you down? Politically frustrated? Sexually frustrated? Pinkocommiebastard’s got the advice that’s right for you. Send your questions to pinkocommiebastard@ypsl.org.