Dr. Spock To Speak On Parents' Responsibilities In The Nuclear Age

DR. SPOCK TO SPEAK ON PARENTS' RESPONSIBILITIES IN THE NUCLEAR AGE

by Michael Steinberg

Dr. Benjamin Spock, the famous pediatrician, author and peace activist will be coming to the Power Center on Saturday, June 14 at 8 pm, to give advice on raising children in a world threatened by nuclear annihilation. The event is being sponsored by the Coalition for Nuclear Arms Control - Second District, and is free to the public.

Dr. Spock became world renown in 1946 when his book Baby and Childcare was published. It has sold over 32 million copies and has been translated into thirty one languages. In the early 1960s, Spock became concerned about the continued atmospheric testing of nuclear weapons and spoke out in favor of a test ban treaty to "protect children from the radiation of fallout" Spock was elected co-chairperson of the Committee for a Sane Nuclear Policy and was an effective spokesperson for the peace movement.

In 1967, Spock resigned from medical school teaching to devote full time to campaigning against the Vietnam War. He was arrested along with the Reverend William Sloan Coffin, Marcus Raskin and Michael Ferber for helping to circulate a statement against draft registration entitled "A Call to Resist Illegitimate Authority." In 1972, Dr. Spock ran for President under the People's Party, a coalition of pacifists and populists.

In Ann Arbor, Dr. Spock plans to address the responsibility of parents in the nuclear age: How parents can counter the psychological impact and the values taught by the nuclear arms race. He will also speak about the movement to stop nuclear warhead testing.

There will be a special fundraising dinner with Dr. Spock and the current Executive Director of SANE, David Cortright at 5 pm. Tickets are $25 and there is limited seating. A $10 contribution is urged for those attending the reception following the talk, or $5 for Senior Citizens, students and those on a fixed income. For more information, call 663-3913.