later reflection on last Wednesday

I am happy to chalk it up to a difference in notions of effective activism. I recognize that my priorities that shape my understanding of effectiveness are different than most people, this is nothing new. I spoke in real time with all but one of the people that I cared to clear things up with and I am satisfied with those discussions even if I did not reach agreements with all of them.

( the theory behind the end result )

Basically:

I spoke to a (self-identified) black woman who admitted to requesting the change in music to the bar. I do not believe the bar’s response should have been to comply in the manner they did, or at least if it has been intended as a short term solution without explaining it and welcoming suggestions for alternate ways to address the concerns of those who made the request. I know the choice of words said at the staff meeting could be interpreted as the hearsay/rumours claimed with no ill-intent on whoever modified the choice of words. I hope the bar will respond to the forthcoming article in Xtra even though they have decided to resume playing the 2 types of music in light of criticism such as the one displayed on Wednesday night. I do not believe merely resuming to play the music without addressing the concerns is the way to go about things and there is still a great opportunity for education here.

As I told Dainty directly yesterday, I do admire everyone who went to the bar to make their belief known. This is regardless of whether or not I agree fully with the way that particular message was sent. I understand the method was in accordance with their views of the issue, that differ from my understanding of the situation and views on ways to address that type of discrimination by a private capitalist establishment. Dainty knows where my beliefs are and what I’m willing to do in the near future depending on the bar’s (hopeful or lack thereof) response to her article.

If others want to address something come to me directly than we can resolve issues further. I prefer in person or online (phones make me generally uncomfortable and voice mails are even worse) but do not expect me to respond via the same indirect routes. I do not have the energy to address rumours spread by people who assume the worse about me without verifying with me 1^st and/or choose to distort events they were privy to.

( finally )