[Doris Watts]

I have never attended the West Chester conference, although in the past, I have thought that someday it might be possible. Now I must agree with Julie. Without some sort of amazing resolution to the problems -- whatever they may be, I wouldn't be able to find a good reason to attend -- or more importantly, a good reason to still want to attend.

I am neither an academic nor a widely published poet. I guess you would say I am barely published. And a big share of that “barely” is in Mezzo Cammin. Kim Bridgford has always been so encouraging and so thoughtful of my writing that I felt I owed her the support that signing the petition would mean. I apologize if it was not appropriate to do so.

Doris Watts

[R. S. Gwynn]

https://www.facebook.com/evnsanna?fref=nf

When Anna starts comparing Kim Bridgford to Holocaust victims, I do think that all perspective has been lost. I hope that some of our Jewish members will respond to this. Mike?

[Charlotte Innes]

Sam, she was quoting Martin Niemöller's call to activism. Several people, including one or two on the Sphere have said, let's wait and see how it all turns out before we speak up. That's their prerogative. But "wait and see" doesn't always work. At any rate, here's the quote:

"First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Socialist.

Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me." ~ Martin Niemöller

I don't see anything wrong with that. And my father is a Jewish refugee from Nazi Germany, my grandfather died in a camp, etc., etc.

Their experiences taught me early on that whenever one sees injustice one needs to speak up, to fight.

With respect,
Charlotte

[Gail White]

To Julie: Delighted with the good news about your family, and agree with all you said.

To Doris: Why on earth should you feel guilty about signing the petition? I have passed it on to the Women Poets List Serve, where I suspect many will sign it simply because they see an injustice being done to a fellow woman.

[R. S. Gwynn]

Charlotte, I am not ignorant, as you seem to think. I have even heard this quote from Teapotheads, who devoutly think that the government is coming for them (If only!). Do you really want to compare Kim's "reassignment" to victims of the Holocaust? If so, I think you need to ponder this seriously. Shall we say that perhaps there is some discrepancy in the analogy? G'mar Chatimah Tovah!

[Roger Slater]

Well, I will support Sam on this one. I think it's great that Kim has developed so many loyal friends who appreciate the job she's done and are willing to stand up and make their opinion on the subject known, but likening the decision to have her teach another course instead of run the conference to the genocidal slaughter of millions of men, women and children may be a tad hyperbolic, and to those with skin thinner than mine it may even be somewhat offensive. Not all injustices are the same or can stand on equal footing with genocide or the crucifixion of Jesus or the decision to stop manufacturing tan M&Ms.

[Anna M Evans]

I put the quote as my Facebook status when I got up at 7.30 am this morning, simply, as Charlotte states, because it is the best known call to activism against the case for staying silent.

I did not relate it to the current situation in any way or reference any individuals. My Facebook status was just the famous quote. It's a quote that's hard to disagree with.

I have had a very busy day today, grading (because I have had to let that slide this past week in order to engage in activism), and being my eldest daughter's "Dance Mom."

I became aware that people were upset with the quote, and as soon as I had the opportunity, I removed it.

But I will not be silent.

[R. S. Gwynn]

I am glad, Anna, that you have once again removed a questionable quote or remark. However, don't you think that you've overplayed this "I am just a tired housewife" card? I'm truly sorry that no one can now see what you originally posted, though Charlotte Innes copied and posted the latest here. Maybe you can ask her to "edit" or remove it. Of course, you mentioned no names; this is surely part and parcel of your desire for transparency. The FB post was fairly implicit in what you were referring to, unless I am mistaken. Can you clarify? I mean, if it was just some kind of general statement about being socially responsible, why did you remove it?

[Anna M Evans]

Charlotte posting the quote here made it possible for me to remove it from Facebook, and say, yes, that's what my Facebook status was, so that the debate could continue here and everyone could still understand what I posted and what I was being accused of.

I posted a famous quote. I've seen it posted as a Facebook status several times before, by people who believe in activism. I believe in activism vs silence. I think we all know this now.

I removed it because of the comments, rather than because I was ashamed of the original post. The comments were the thing that referred the quote to the situation, not the quote itself.

[Michael Cantor]

Sam, I'm not sure whether I was the "Mike" you referred to earlier but, for what it's worth, I haven't signed the petition. I haven't been comfortable with the here-today-gone-tomorrow innuendoes, and the tone, from day one, and prefer to wait in hope that real information - not rumors. and not assurances from bystanders that it had nothing to do with diminishing attendance, or the fact that the conference had become too inclusive - or wasn't inclusive enough - but facts, not talk and hints - become available.