[OccupyCU] My Resignation From the Occupy CU Listserv

["E. Wayne Johnson 朱稳森"]

Sarah,

It really seems that you do not have the cajones for this work.




On 11/16/12 3:47, Sarah Lazare wrote:
> I'm sad to say that I'd like to be removed from this list, following 
> in the footsteps of several young, female organizers I know. I am 
> concerned that this list is not enacting the policies and practices I 
> want to bring into the world.
>
> To protect and build horizontal organizing, it is crucial to set 
> guidelines and practices to ensure that our spaces of deliberation are 
> safe for all to participate in. The absence of this will mean that 
> people who don't want to wake up with bigoted, potentially triggering 
> emails in their inboxes will simply be excluded from the conversation 
> by opting out. This erodes democracy, as well as the creativity and 
> brilliance that comes when people collectively work and think together.
>
> Of course we can't and don't want to control what people say, and we 
> will fuck up - I certainly have. However, we have to at least be 
> trying to push back against bigotry - to identify and act on 
> opportunities for political education and collective growth. We are 
> being internally inconsistent if we are not trying. On this listserv, 
> the bigoted voices are allowed to dominate unchecked. In fact, it is a 
> hostile environment for expressing discomfort about oppressive 
> dynamics - those who speak up are put in the same box as those who 
> offended.
>
> It is a relief to me that Jesse and others were not aware of 9-11 
> Truth's fascist ties. I will assume best intentions on that front. 
> However, we are all responsible for the organizations we endorse and 
> work with: it is our responsibility to look into an organization's 
> politics before joining. So it is completely justified that Scott 
> would react with outrage upon seeing a 9-11 Truth email. I would hope 
> folks agree that outrage is an appropriate response to suggestions of 
> cooperating with fascist front groups. 9-11 Truth has documented 
> fascist ties, and organizations throughout the U.S. have chosen to cut 
> off any association with them on these grounds. We're not the only 
> ones having this conversation.
>
> The bigger issue is the pattern of bigoted statements and attacks that 
> persist on this listserv. Expressing anger at bigotry is healthy, 
> natural, and an important part of building accountable community: it 
> must not be equated with bigotry itself. Instances of sexism, 
> anti-semitism, racism, etc. do real damage: they are a big deal. 
> Framing this in terms of why-can't-we-all-just-get-along blames those 
> speaking out against bigotry for being "divisive" and fails to take 
> responsibility for the political content of what's going on. As 
> organizers we are challenged to think critically and politically.
>
> Waking up with a bigoted email in my inbox can ruin my whole day. 
> Seeing that email go unchallenged adds to my sadness. It feels bad not 
> to respond to emails that attack friends, comrades, strangers, or 
> myself in an oppressive manner. It also feels bad to respond on this 
> listserv, because it is not a supportive environment for doing so. My 
> only choice is to leave this listserv.
>
> It sounds like the conversation with Francisco and others was really 
> great and inspiring, and it seems that a rebirth of Occupy is in the 
> works. I'm sending wishes for community-building, growth, and success 
> as we take on the big monsters of capitalism and injustice that we're 
> all up against. Although this online forum is not a productive space 
> for me to be a part of, I hold out hope that when we see each other in 
> person, we are able to find footing rooted in solidarity, respect, and 
> justice.
>
> With Hope,
> Sarah Lazare
>
>
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>    

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