Increasingly, anti-war demonstrators and others opposed to the military retaliation in Afghanistan are accused of being “anti-American” and unpatriotic.

This is a narrow and unfounded assumption.

Freedom of speech is something for which we should be proud. It is the kind of freedom to express opinions that sets our nation apart from others. Many people around the world are not able to share the same freedoms.

The accusations of anti-American sentiment do not necessarily attempt to silence the opposition.

However, the implication is a nation at war should be united in its military action regardless of one’s own opinion. In other words, the personal opinion must be sacrificed for the sake of the nation.

Not true.

This is not the first time in history this has happened. Historical precedent exists. This century, Americans opposed military actions in Europe, Korea, the Gulf War and most notably in Vietnam. Even then as now, those in opposition were accused of being “anti-American.”

Included in this list are some notable citizens that have publicly opposed military retaliation.

According to Frances Beal of the San Francisco Bayview, Fredrick Douglass said last century’s U.S. attacks on Mexico were “disgraceful, cruel, and iniquitous.”

Was Fredrick Douglass un-American? Most people certainly do not think so.

The list goes on.

Rosa Parks, W.E.B. DuBois, Danny Glover, Angela Davis, and Martin Luther King Jr., are only some of those who have voiced opposing opinions in wartime. Were they unpatriotic?

In the `60s and `70s, the anti-war movement was especially vocal. The reflexive reaction was to condemn those people as “un-patriotic.” Again, outspoken opposition was accused of unpatriotic actions this past month.

Regardless of American public opinion, dissenters of the war effort should not have to face unfair accusations of betraying their nation.

Being opposed to government policy in times of crisis does not automatically label someone “anti-American”.

People are voicing differing opinions at an unpopular time. In fact, this should remind us of two people named James Madison and Samuel Adams more than 225 years ago. They spoke out when other colonists supported the British Government, and that certainly was a very American thing to do.

Whether or not one agrees with the military action in the Middle East shouldn’t be a reason for being labeled “anti-American.” Any voice on any issue should be listened to and taken seriously.

Tossing around bogus accusations will do nothing but cause more internal problems.

Some people believe military action isn’t the answer. That doesn’t make them the enemy.

editorialboard: Andrea Hauser, Tim Paluch, Michelle Kann, Zach Calef, Omar Tesdell