an apology

Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 02/09/2012 - 11:22pm
 
This is an apology from some of the participants in the action at V, Chelsea, and Francis' house on Jan 31st.  It is also a response to this letter: http://atlanta.indymedia.org/local/february-1st-black-bloc-gone-wrong
 
We are remorseful for the action we took.  We understand that our action was aggressive, intimidating, and threatening.  It was an inappropriate tactic for addressing the problem,  and we should not have used it.  We stand with the queer community in condemning it.
 
We also recognize that our action further marginalized already marginalized people by making them feel targeted or powerless because of their queer identities.  We have caused fear, anger, and trauma not just for Francis, but for many other people in the queer community, including people who were at the house and experienced our actions as dehumanizing and others who are suffering after-effects within the community.
 
We did not intend these effects, but we accept personal responsibility both for the wrongs committed by the group we were a part of and for our failure to speak out against them earlier. Each of us has different  reasons and explanations for why we participated in the action that  night, but none of them excuse what we did. 
 
Some of us participated in the action because we assumed that others in the group had determined it was appropriate. Others because we were concerned for our friends and did not want to falsely appear to question the legitimacy of V and Chelsea's experience.  Others because we were uncomfortable disagreeing with outspoken people in the group.  None of these experiences justifies our actions, but they do illustrate a central flaw:  Before the action, we did not consider a broader picture of the situation in which we were intervening, other possible solutions to the conflict, or the full range of possible consequences of our actions.
 
Though we all had the best intentions,we did not sufficiently seek to understand and question the action we were about to take.  Because of this, we ended up causing effects which are counterproductive and seriously harmful.  This realization has prompted a lot of discussion and introspection within our communities, and we are committed to examining methods of dealing with interpersonal conflict in the future.
 
We realize that an apology is not enough, and hear the call for other forms of community accountability which do not involve dehumanization and force.  We intend to educate ourselves on appropriate models for conflict resolution, and we welcome any insight or advice on these issues.  We also hope that this letter, in addition to expressing our apologies, can stand as a public lesson for others who may find themselves in our position in the future.  This should never happen again.
 
 
 

Comments

Re: an apology

Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 02/14/2012 - 2:07am

 graham

Re: an apology

Submitted by margmar on Tue, 02/14/2012 - 1:19am

 I stand with this letter and many of its sentiments.

 

Signed,

Margaret Mary

Re: an apology

Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 02/13/2012 - 4:20pm

I stand by the letter.

 

- joe

Re: an apology

Submitted by Anonymous on Sat, 02/11/2012 - 9:56am

 I neither participated in the action nor took part in writing this letter, but strongly identify with the sentiments expressed therein. 
Bailey.

Re: an apology

Submitted by Anonymous on Sat, 02/11/2012 - 3:13am

 I didn't participate in the action, but I stand by this letter and look forward to figuring a working model of community accountability.

Re: an apology

Submitted by Anonymous on Sat, 02/11/2012 - 2:18am

Bryan

Re: an apology

Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 02/10/2012 - 7:09pm

 I didn't participate in the action, but I stand behind this letter.

Vincent

Re: an apology

Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 02/10/2012 - 2:41am

Matt

Re: an apology

Submitted by marlon on Thu, 02/09/2012 - 11:56pm

Signed,

Marlon

...

(others will add their signatures in these comments)