During the public commentary portion of the Co-op board meeting the whole board was accused of the most despicable things, and was screamed at full blast by a pretty angry member.
I think it is important to let people know that the “discussion” on the upcoming referendum has deteriorated to that point. And that the hard working brand new volunteer board (myself included) are the targets of this way over the top hatred. As well as many of the co-op staff – hearing from angry members who are upset about leafletting in front of the co-op.
Recall that we are talking about a boycott of goods that make up less than 2/10 of 1 percent of our food – about 5,000 or at most 10,000 dollars per year. The screaming was because the vote will be in September, and not now.
There isn’t a whole lot else to say. It was a very unpleasant experience and absolutely unwarranted. The attempt was made to essentially say that we as a board are guilty of killing Palestinians because this isn’t happening quickly enough.
It is hard to process such a strident and illogical attack.
Balance. Perspective. Supportive community. And right action.
I don’t really know what else to say. There is so much pain in nearly every aspect of this issue. I wish we were involved in an action that I felt would decrease that suffering.
Despite my aching hip joints, I am relieved that my long gardening day prevented me from coming to that meeting – no telling if I would have been able to keep my mouth shut and my hands at my sides.
What a colossal waste of the Co-op’s limited resources.
Sorry that mental illness and/or fanatacism has touched all our lives in this way.
When I read this, the association I found myself making is that the abuse you experienced was a form of terrorism. Maybe “intellectual terrorism”? Just confirms my instinctive reaction first time you described this situation a couple months ago…that there’s another agenda here that you and others on the board may not understand.
It may be another agenda, it has certainly been named thinly veiled anti-semitism, but also a human being self destructing before our eyes.
We are now no longer able to hold public meetings in the space we were using, a private business. They are understandably reluctant to have such out of control outbursts in their office.
It is important to look at the results of such an attack – fear, intimidation, withdrawal of resources, anger, distraction, further splintering of our co-op, and more. It has to be stopped it has to be contained or the damage spreads.
The intention and the origin also matter, and what issues and concerns so damage a person that they can no longer control themselves? I think having compassion for the people who are so angry is important, and at the same time making sure that our more calm and rational members are heard and find that the co-op is a safe and pleasant place to be.
I’m more of a facilitator than leader, Exactly what leadershi to take in this matter is something I’ve pondered to great length. And am actively soliciting advice.
Linda (and the rest of the board): Thank you for your patience and grace throughout this process. I hope this doesn’t permanently damage the PFC community.