For over five years I have been volunteering for Affirmations in a number of different capacities. Over this time I have gotten to know the staff and Leslie Thompson very well. Quite frankly, I am sick and tired of Affirmations and Leslie Thompson being torn to shreds.
My experiences with Affirmations have greatly impacted my life. When I first moved to Ferndale, it was the first time I felt that I could totally be out. Affirmations gave me an outlet to so many different people and organizations that I could include myself in. It was because of Affirmations inviting staff that I decided to begin volunteering.
In the beginning, most of my time was spent volunteering with the youth programs. The word racism is the farthest from my mind when you think about these programs. Diverse would be the perfect word to use. There are many groups at Affirmations that have a wide and diverse population in attendance. However, the sad and immature focus of this situation has been targeted at the staff and leadership of Affirmations.
Every organization goes through transition, staff turnover and various organizational issues. In my time being involved with Affirmations, there have been several transitions that have taken place. This is typical. I do not understand why color has to be used in order to display someone's bitterness. The last time I opened my eyes, I saw that we are all people of color. We are all just different shades.
Affirmations does not discriminate according to color. I have never volunteered for a program and walked away feeling as if the staff or leadership was racist. If anything, I have been very impressed with the organization, and has done several things to become more inclusive, and they continue to do so.
There have been many slanderous comments directed at Leslie Thompson throughout this ordeal. At this point, I feel like people are just trying to find something to say because there is not really anything to say. I was at Come Out and Laugh when I watched the six protesters stand outside. I stood by the windows for a good part of the evening. I focused for the most part, on trying to figure out what the signs even meant. There was one in particular that stuck with me: P.E. does not = E.D.
How is it possible to say that being a teacher is not being a director. I do not care what subject anyone teaches, teachers are the greatest directors in any profession. Before that sign was made, people should have looked into what the responsibilities of a physical education teacher is, and how it related to Leslie Thompson. Leslie Thompson to my understanding never taught a PE class, but has been an executive director for 27 years. From my experiences that I have had, I cannot believe that anyone would begin to slander her for the job she has done. She was one of the first people five years ago that introduced herself to me, and I know she probably does not even remember.
There are all of these "strong leaders in the black community" that are stepping up to declare that racism is happening at Affirmations. Leadership is not slandering people or organizations. Leadership is not creating scenarios in order to fuel a fire that was started because someone was bitter about restructuring a position that they knew about for months. Leadership is not digging so deep personally into someone that you make yourself look like you are grasping at anything to hold on to knowing that nothing is there.
From experience, leadership is creating a positive environment. Leadership is becoming aware of problems and handling them. Leadership is admitting when something is wrong and fixing it. All of these characteristics just mentioned are what Leslie Thompson and Affirmations stand by. If she was such a poor leader, the board would not have kept her as executive director for this long. In fact, to say that her dog is racist obviously shows that the supposed strong leaders have nothing to argue.
I ask those of you that support Affirmations to take a stand. Enough is enough with the belittling and slanderous remarks. It is now time for those that support Affirmations take a stand and support Affirmations and Leslie Thompson as we should. Affirmations is about building community, so let us show them that we are community. Let us stop with the negative crap, and focus on the positive for a change. My only regret is that I waited so long to show my support, but as we all know, it is always better late than never.
Sheri Folta
Ferndale
