corey dargel

I am a composer/performer who has recently moved to New York City from Oberlin, Ohio.

I want desperately to connect with people who are in favor of a peaceful response to these tragic events. I feel as though the media representations I've seen of New Yorkers and Americans are in some ways designed to encourage an attitude of revenge and anger. I am angry, but what I am angry about is the common presumption that everyone wants to fight back.

I was angry when President Bush rallied the WTC rescue workers who chanted "U-S-A! U-S-A! U-S-A!" How can he smirk and be proud to say things like "We're gonna smoke 'em out of their holes" and "Out west, we have posters that say 'Wanted: Dead or Alive'" and "We're gonna hunt down these faceless cowards and punish them."? How can he use inflammatory, ignorant language when so many Americans have lost so much? And how can politicians (even so-called "liberal" politicians) say that we should all support our president? It's important to try to continue living our lives as best as we can, but revenge is useless, and vengeance is no substitute for fear or grief.

Is there any place where people can teach and promote peace? Will the news media care about people who oppose a violent response? What's happening in New York City to address the need for a peaceful approach?

I don't presume that anyone is necessarily at peace with what has happened. I certainly am not.

Sometimes I want to retreat to my headphones, program my keyboards, write love songs, sing into my computer, but I haven't been able to do it. I can't concentrate. I can't sleep. I wonder if I'll ever again be able to make music, to dance, to act. Does anyone else have this problem? Does anyone have any advice or suggestions? I'm going to see the Wooster Group on Saturday. It will be the first performance I've seen since a free dance performance on Saturday night at the World Trade Center Plaza.

What I need more than anything is to be in a community of people where it is safe to feel the way I do and express myself without feeling "Un-American." Where can I go?

Thank you for reading.

Love to you all.
-Corey [Dargel]


	I am a composer/performer who has recently moved to New York City from Oberlin, Ohio. I want desperately to connect with people who are in favor of a peaceful response to these tragic events. I feel as though the media representations I've seen of New Yorkers and Americans are in some ways designed to encourage an attitude of revenge and anger. I am angry, but what I am angry about is the common presumption that everyone wants to fight back. I was angry when President Bush rallied the WTC rescue workers who chanted "U-S-A! U-S-A! U-S-A!" How can he smirk and be proud to say things like "We're gonna smoke 'em out of their holes" and "Out west, we have posters that say 'Wanted: Dead or Alive'" and "We're gonna hunt down these faceless cowards and punish them."? How can he use inflammatory, ignorant language when so many Americans have lost so much? And how can politicians (even so-called "liberal" politicians) say that we should all support our president? It's important to try to continue living our lives as best as we can, but revenge is useless, and vengeance is no substitute for fear or grief. Is there any place where people can teach and promote peace? Will the news media care about people who oppose a violent response? What's happening in New York City to address the need for a peaceful approach? I don't presume that anyone is necessarily at peace with what has happened. I certainly am not. Sometimes I want to retreat to my headphones, program my keyboards, write love songs, sing into my computer, but I haven't been able to do it. I can't concentrate. I can't sleep. I wonder if I'll ever again be able to make music, to dance, to act. Does anyone else have this problem? Does anyone have any advice or suggestions? I'm going to see the Wooster Group on Saturday. It will be the first performance I've seen since a free dance performance on Saturday night at the World Trade Center Plaza. What I need more than anything is to be in a community of people where it is safe to feel the way I do and express myself without feeling "Un-American." Where can I go? Thank you for reading. Love to you all. -Corey [Dargel]
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