My Country Is the World: Staughton Lynd's Speeches, Writings, Statements and Interviews Against the Vietnam War

Staughton Lynd was a prominent intellectual and activist who argued that the U.S. intervention in Vietnam was illegal under domestic and international law. He was a chief proponent of direct action and civil disobedience to confront the war machine, including refusing to pay income taxes. His speeches, writings, and statements were based on coherent and persuasive arguments against the war, including U.S. and international law, precedents from American history, and moral and ethical considerations.

Format: Hardback
Length: 600 pages
Publication date: 20 April 2023
Publisher: Haymarket Books

Staughton Lynd was a prominent intellectual and activist who argued that the U.S. intervention in Vietnam was illegal under domestic and international law. He was unwavering in his stance that the U.S. should immediately withdraw from Vietnam, and that soldiers and draftees should refuse to participate in the war based on their individual conscience and the Nuremberg Principles of 1950. Lynd not only wrote about opposing the war but also actively advocated for direct action and civil disobedience to confront the war machine at the university, in the halls of power, and in everyday life. Through acts such as refusing to pay income taxes, he demonstrated his commitment to opposing the war.

As evidenced by his speeches, writings, statements, and interviews, Lynd presented coherent and persuasive arguments against the war in Vietnam. These arguments were based on U.S. and international law, precedents from American history, and moral and ethical considerations rooted in conscientious objection to war and an internationalism embraced by American radicals. One of the key arguments he made was that "my country is the world, and my countrymen are all mankind." This statement reflected his belief in a global perspective, where the boundaries of nation-states were blurred and humanity came first.

Lynd's courageous stance and unwavering commitment to his beliefs made him a prominent figure in the anti-war movement. His ideas and activism inspired many others to join the cause, and his legacy continues to be felt today. Despite the challenges and obstacles he faced, Lynd remained steadfast in his belief that the U.S. intervention in Vietnam was wrong and that it was essential to oppose it through peaceful means.

In conclusion, Staughton Lynd was a visionary intellectual and activist who played a crucial role in opposing the U.S. intervention in Vietnam. His unwavering stance, based on legal, historical, and ethical considerations, challenged the dominant narrative of the war and inspired a generation of activists to stand up against injustice. Lynd's legacy continues to inspire us to work towards a world where peace and justice are upheld, and where the values of internationalism and compassion guide our actions.

Dimension: 228 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781642598902