I am embarrassed to live in this era.  

And right now, I am embarrassed to say I live in Olympia.

I have attended more board meetings, volunteer meetings, coordinator meetings and organizational meetings in this town over the past four years than in my entire life. 

When I first moved to Olympia, I was enamored with the active population, the political atmosphere, the queer politics, the amount of organizing and non-profit projects & organizations.

I was thrilled to see that people still protested, stood up for themselves and organized boycotts.

Today, this is what I see.

I see a world of GLOBAL Corporations, Consumerism & Capitalism.  I see International Oppression.  I see hate, fed by hate, in the color of hate, that fuels more hate.  I see that the middle class is a myth, that "diversity" is the biggest fucking joke to fall into the workplace/education/community since affirmative action went into action.  I see that no child left behind leaves more children behind than ever, especially if they are impoverished, children of color, immigrants, ESL families... basically anyone who isn't white, financially stable, straight and personal friends with the Bush Regime.  

And I see that we're ALL FED UP WITH IT.  I see that most of us feel POWERLESS.  I see that as our backyards get smaller and smaller our cars get bigger and bigger, and the fences around those quaint little houses are taller and taller.  I see neighbors that only know each other's names because of some mis-delivered mail - that ends up back in the fucking mailbox with red pen on them stating "not at this address."

I see fear.  I smell fear.  I hear fear.  

I see that as time passes in this constant state of fear and isolation, we are looking far and wide outside of our communities to have our needs met.  I see that local government is passing crazy laws that make sitting on a public sidewalks illegal because the families of those kids that weren't left behind feel "unsafe" about shopping downtown on a Sunday afternoon with all that "dangerous" activity happening downtown.  (I moved here from the New Mexico Ghetto... ya'll have NO idea how good you have it in this town.)

The result of all that I see?

We are pitted against each other.  We all feel that there's nothing that we can do to bring Bush down, there is nothing that we can do to change Globalization (I mean, shit, did you make it to 2006 TESC Graduation?  The Governor addressed the graduates as the next wave in globalization... ouch.)  There is nothing that we can do about tokenizing, homophobia, heterosexism, poverty, child abuse, THE LACK OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR ALL... and on and on and on....

And so we wage war against each other.  The Transsexual/Transgender community hates the Lesbians, and the Lesbians won't see the evolution of sex and gender.  The gay men keep to themselves and move on to the more expensive condos and ignore what's happening to the entire community.

People of Color are turning their backs on Mixed People, and white people... they STILL will not see that racism is real, and happening, and WELL alive here in Olympia.  (How many people of color actually sit on the "unity in the community" shelf???)

Poor people hate each other for what the other has.  They have section 8 and don't have to pay rent.  She gets child support, and only has to work part time.  He gets free childcare.  They get more food stamps.  She only got the job because her mother works there.  And NONE of them are making their bills, and ALL of them are trying to, and they end up hating each other and fighting with each other and not doing anything about what's REALLY going on.

Bitch and Moan.  Bitch and Moan.

The Pacific Northwest is SOOOO fucking full of itself it's depressing.  It's not the rain.  It's the lack of empathy, and compassion and COMMUNITY.  

Protesting the decision and boycotting OFS is not the answer.  You really think you can do better?  Join the Board; see how demanding it is for yourself.  It's not a walk in the park, and it's not just one little hour a month to go to a meeting.  Think you can start a better organization?  Why not volunteer more at the one that exists, and has been STRUGGLING to exist for years.  Any idea how under budget they are?  Any idea WHY the beer garden happens?  If you have so many ideas, why not INCORPORATE THEM and be an agent of change, instead of a pain the in the ass?

As far as Jeff goes, Jeff had his own relationship with the board, and the staff.  Jeff has been approached for YEARS about the numerous complaints that have been filed by many people, not just Anonymous.  This is not a new issue; this is not a fake issue.  There is a point when people deserve to be treated with respect, no matter how long someone has worked at a place, no matter how much blood, sweat and time they have put in... No matter how big their ego is.  Jeff had many opportunities to take the feedback that was offered to him.  

Saying that the complaints are not real is like saying that a woman deserves to be beaten or raped.  You are saying that small voices don't matter, and that everyone should have loud voices that are backed up by hundreds of other loud voices to matter.  

Anonymous complaints are valid.  There is a reason people don't want to attach their names all the time.  Shit, I'd be afraid if I wanted to file a complaint if this is the way it would be received.

Stand up people.  Do something bigger than bitching and meeting to bitch and finding ways to bitch in public in large groups.  If you feel like the decision was unfair, then comfort Jeff.  Tell him that you support him.  And tell the board you do not support the decision they made.  Apply for the open positions, recruit people to apply for the positions.  Get more involved instead of standing aside with your complaints and refusal to support an organization that supports Olympia to the fullest of it's capacity.