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About Eugene weekly. (Eugene, Oregon) 1993-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 6, 2016)
LET TERS ly knows about it yet, as I am new here and all this attention has been throughout the country and into Canada — just starting to see it venturing into the U.K. this week. I think it would be a wonderful thing for Eugene Weekly to report on and a much-needed vote of confidence to the city that all its efforts to combat homelessness and addiction in the community are not in vain. P.S. My writing has got so popular that my original blog in its third month is over the 12,000-view mark, and if it keeps the pace set so far this month, it could hit 20,000 views for September. Here is the link to that podcast: goo.gl/UatxFF. Marc McMahon Eugene POWERFUL SYMBOL On the day the young Our Children’s Trust plaintiffs appeared in their court case against the U.S. government and Big Oil, The Register-Guard noted that the Uni- versity of Oregon Foundation had decided to divest of fossil fuels. A Register-Guard editorial later called that action largely symbolic. How disappointing. Yet I remembered how symbols point to something larger, and how an action can become a symbol that inspires further ac- tion. Young men burning their draft cards during the ’60s became symbolic of the anger many felt about our involvement in Vietnam. Rosa Parks refusing to give up her seat to an able-bodied white man be- came a symbol of racial inequity in our country. LIVING OUT And today, a pro football player kneel- ing during the national anthem points to the way people of color are treated in our justice system. Not everyone is comfortable being re- minded of the situations that spark these actions. But change is often the result — because they become symbols inspir- ing others. We ended our involvement in Vietnam. Lyndon Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act. Colin Kaepernick exposes a flawed justice system. Divesting won’t bankrupt the University of Oregon — and it might spark other insti- tutions to do the same. So, thank you, UO Foundation, and thank you, Register-Guard. And thank you especially to the 21 young people standing on the courthouse steps — a powerful symbol of little guys taking on the corporatocracy. May you in- spire further action for the public good. Donna Haines Eugene YES ON MEASURE 100 Oregonians love animals and we have a long, proud history of passing laws to protect them. That’s why among all 50 states, Oregon is ranked second in strength of its animal welfare laws. Now we have a chance to continue that tradition by passing Measure 100 to ban the commercial trade in the parts and products of our most cherished and iconic wildlife species. Federal rules and laws can only go so far in closing down illegal wildlife traf- ficking. Measure 100 closes an important loophole in existing law by imposing seri- ous penalties on anyone caught trying to traffic in endangered animal parts within our state, thereby augmenting and bolster- ing federal enforcement efforts. With California and Washington hav- ing already passed similar laws, passing Measure 100 will mean the entire West Coast will become far less hospitable to the poachers, smugglers and profiteers in search of local markets and driving our world’s animals to extinction. The measure also includes common- sense exemptions for bona fide antiques, musical instruments and use of these prod- ucts by native tribes. Oregonians rank the global poaching crisis among their top animal welfare con- cerns, yet often feel powerless to stop it. Now, with Measure 100, we have a chance to do our part and take a leadership role in protecting elephants, rhinos, big cats, whales and other imperiled animals. Please vote yes on Measure 100. Scott Beckstead Oregon Senior State Director Human Society of the United States Sutherlin lion more a year. It will raise school bud- gets by an estimated 25 percent. As early childhood professionals, we support Measure 97. We have mourned the burdens of unacceptable public school class sizes and cuts in vital school pro- grams. Our teachers are doing an amaz- ing job despite many handicaps. Our state has failed its constitutional obligation to ensure a great public education. Both po- litical parties have failed to find long-term financial solutions to correct our lack of strong educational funding. Some corporations have failed to pay their fair share of taxes, compounding the problem. They as well as their supporters threaten us by saying that, if voted in, they will pass the Measure 97 corporate tax on to customers. As citizens, we can choose where we spend our money by not support- ing irresponsible corporate behavior. Supporting our state public school sys- tem is both patriotic and a family value. As President Barack Obama stated in a 2013 speech, “If you think education is expen- sive, wait until you see how much igno- rance costs in the 21st century.” Christopher and Deb Michaels Eugene SUPPORT PUBLIC SCHOOL Former presidential candidate Bernie Sanders spoke consistently about fairness, need and corporate greed. Oregon voters will have a chance in November to make a statement about those matters with Bal- lot Measure 97. Voting yes will result in schools, low-income health needs and se- nior citizen services getting around $2 bil- SEMPLE FOR WARD 1 Regarding the Ward 1 City Councilor election, Eugene, 2016: Folks, we’ve got two very good people running in the Nov. 8 election for the City Council position. I know and like both Emily Semple and Josh Skov. Emily was encouraged to run, and has been well-sup- BY SALLY SHEK LOW Unfurling Freak Flags NATIONAL COMING OUT DAY IS OCT. 11 N ational Coming Out Day is a great time to come out, whether for the first or ump- teenth time. It’s a day to remember the importance of being open about your true lesbian, gay, bi, trans, queer, questioning, intersex, polyamorous, pansexual, asexual, two-spirit, nonbinary, genderfluid, agender or otherwise beyond-the- old-norm self. It’s also a good time to come out as an ally to those of us who are LGBTQ+. Oct. 11 is set aside as a day to make, or renew, our commitment to come out of the closet and be open about who we are, to let people know that we adore our queer friends and relatives, and to expose and confront homophobia, biphobia and transphobia wherever they lurk. Like in, say, the Republican Party platform. Ahem. As someone who has been way out for evah, you’d think I would have no more coming out to do. Since the 1970s I’ve made sort of a career of being here, queer and helping folks get used to it. As an activist, writer, college instructor and general dyke-about-town, I’ve dedicated myself to promoting LGBTQ+ visibility and our move- ment for freedom, justice and fabulousness. So, it’s hum- bling to confess that, even for me, the closet door some- times slams shut. Yes, though hard to admit, sometimes even I don’t let my rainbow freak-flag fly. 6 October 6, 2016 • eugeneweekly.com Take yesterday, for example. I had taken my car in for a recalled air bag replacement and was shuttled home in a dealership van to wait out the four-hour repair. The driver was super friendly, obviously well-trained in cus- tomer service and easy to talk to as he drove me home. We chatted about the changing weather, which led to garden- ing and whether the tomatoes would ripen, and what to do with a bumper crop of zucchini. Tame, neutral stuff. I shared my recipe for zucchini pancakes, which he said sounded delicious and he’d have to make some for his wife. It was a perfect opening for me to mention my wife. He’d mentioned his, right? But I made the snap judgment that so many queer people have learned to make in every interaction where it’s suddenly up to us to come out or not. In an instant, we have to gauge the safety of the situation, assess our support or escape options if the response isn’t good and decide whether we are prepared to defend ourselves. I think a lot of us who’ve survived years of various anti-gay onslaughts experience this kind of residual ho- mophobia-phobia. It’s like a long-lingering PTSD that creeps up on us even when we think we’re “over it.” I had to quickly determine if I’d be more uncomfort- able being out or remaining in, or whether the driver could or couldn’t already tell that I’m not straight. Would I have what it takes in that moment to be nonchalant, to set the tone that would make him able to at least act like he was taking my revelation in stride? Was I ready to go there? All this was computing in that split second when I opted to hold back, to keep my usually very public life private, and not say “my wife.” Frankly, I surprised myself. What was I afraid of? There was little risk of anything bad happening in that Toyota courtesy shuttle van. I was the always-right cus- tomer, after all. And I know that making queerness nor- mal takes going through these awkward moments again and again until they’re not awkward any more. Those of us privileged to not be risking our lives or homes or jobs have a responsibility to stick our necks out when we can. I know that. And yet this time I chickened out. My reaction definitely gave me something to think about. Luckily we have this annual day to reflect upon what kind of people we want to be, to rededicate ourselves to staying out of the closet, to be open about what we know is true and right and good. Next time — you heard it here — I’ll definitely speak up. Shuttle drivers of the world, brace yourselves. Award-winning writer Sally Sheklow has been coming out in Eugene Week- ly since 1999.
