A review of Amnesty International by a former member (censored by yelp.com).

 This is a first-hand experience as a "customer" (member and a person of color) to a business (non-profit). They treated me badly as I explain below, not taking me seriously because of my political conscience.

I received the following AI SMS today: "Stop Killing Black People - Demand Congress restrict the use of deadly force by police.

I also received the following tweet:

#JusticeforFloyd! Join Amnesty & Sign lil.ms/4tyn/5e8ifw. Demand Governor of MN Tim Walz hold those responsible for George Floyd's death accountable.

I responded to the SMS but received no response even though
I have donated several hundred dollars in the past to Amnesty International.

In view of what AI's recent decision to politicize the case of George Floyd, and its refusal to respond to message, I cannot do this any longer. They will not take me off their membership rolls and continue to ask me for money.

*****

Where is the evidence that the police in any locality shoot and kill black people more frequently than they do white people for the same crime?

I think AI is making claims that need to be corroborated by more than just emotion. I refuse now to donate to AI as its actions promote the very violence that it decries.

It needs to stay to objective, otherwise its work is worthless and not credible. Why be concerned if one cannot be sure that AI itself cannot corroborate its claims?

*****

Less than a year ago, a Somali-American policeman shot and killed an unarmed [white] woman who had called to report what she thought was a crime occurring behind her house.

I don't recall AI calling for that policeman's head in order for justice to prevail.

In the particular case above, the [white] policeman has already been charged with third-degree murder. Protesters have gathered outside the man's home; his wife has announced she will divorce him. Having the national media focus on them must be horrible, much as I deplore the clear overuse of force in this case.

The other police officers included two Hmong-Americans. There is no indication that race was involved. There is no proof that another police officer would have done any differently, even if the man had been white, Asian, Hispanic, etc.

It's not clear Mr. Floyd died of suffocation. Mr. Chauvin obviously did not believe that Mr. Floyd would die or know the man had a heart condition.

He would be stupid to kill a man just because of his race and think he could get away with it. He may have thought Mr. Floyd was bluffing.

Is the assumption that when a black is killed by a white cop, it is always unjustified and another case of "killed while walking & black"? Given crime rate demographics, it may be a rare occurrence.

Where is the proof that white officers do anything differently to white suspects resisting arrest?

Plus, we know how rarely black men are brutal.

If a white uses force against a black, does it have to be racist rather than that's how guys behave in tough situations?

"The latest in a series of studies undercutting the claim of systemic police bias was published in August 2019 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences...the more frequently officers encounter violence suspects from any suspects from any given racial group, the greater the chance that a member of that group will be fatally shot by a police officer. There is no significant evidence of anti-black disparity in the likelihood of being fatally shot."*

Whether Mr. Chauvin receives a sentence more lenient than that which has in the past meted out to other policeman in the same situation is a different matter. That is very unlikely given the political pressures.

This is a tragedy, and for AI to politicize, is in my view plain wrong. It is also hypocritical.

It's not as if police in certain areas enjoy shooting up innocent people? I suspect they are dealing day to day with violent criminals, which is perhaps why resisting arrest is a crime.

Mr. Floyd was not just a black man who was out for a stroll in downtown Minneapolis. He was not a peace protester. He had committed a crime and resisted arrest.

The 6'4" former quarterback and bouncer had been convicted for armed robbery in which he held a gun against the stomach of a pregnant woman. For that he received 5 year prison sentence.

I lived through the Civil Rights Movement and was a conscientious objector against the Vietnam War.Mass-scale rioting, arson, and robbery are not an honorable way to honor one human life that has been lost and another in ruins.

Neither is stoking white self-hatred and guilt and pouring gasoline on the flames of racial hatred and vengeance.

"A police officer is 18 1/2 times more likely to be killed by a black male than an unarmed black male is to be killed by a police officer."

* Wall St. Journal (6/3/20)

In the future, Minneapolis should have only African-American cops patrol black neighborhoods.

---

Today, December 10, 2008, is the anniversary of the signing of the International Declaration of Human Rights. Still, it has been estimated that 1-1/2 billion people around the planet do not enjoy basic human rights.

About a decade ago, I had hoped to do volunteer work for my local chapter. Everyone in the local chapters is a volunteer.

Though I was unable to, I wholeheartedly support the goals of Amnesty International.

Here is to hoping that the United States can soon begin to regain respect around the world again: the closing of Guantanamo Bay, universal health coverage...

It starts with governments but does not end there. Individuals (and individual conscience) can make a difference.

*****

Also, read the following Guardian article:

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/feb/06/amnesty-international-has-toxic-working-culture-report-finds?fbclid=IwAR2TEyM0Pwyj-m-ANHAwQpDd6la-mK-gIG6R11wiv-8SJyqb2r2etXCPSW4

What cowardice is: Re-victimizing a victim. Censorship is based on fear of the truth.

___
CeXX
_______________________________

OCT 30, 2019  |  10:45AM PDT

Hello,

We're reaching out to let you know that our moderators removed your reviews of Seattle Housing Authority.

We typically remove reviews that describe individuals or situations with objectionable terms that go beyond simply reviewing a customer experience with a business. We ask that reviewers avoid commentary that reinforces negative cultural stereotypes, makes light of physical or sexual violence, or otherwise includes unnecessarily graphic or offensive descriptions.

In this case, we felt that your content crossed that line, even if you didn't intend it to. Please be aware that any further content you post that violates our guidelines in this manner may be subject to removal without notification.

To learn more, check out our Content Guidelines (https://www.yelp.com/guidelines).

_____
#me,too

How can others expect me to be concerned about racism when I don't even deal with the accumulated daily racism I experience?

Obama wants us to have a frank discussion, so let's have it.

Now that white Seattle, like so many places, has handed over power to African-Americans (Seattle Public Library, Seattle Center, Seattle Police Department, Seattle Housing Authority, etc.), to me it is clear, as one who has to deal with SHA, that this transfer of political power has not worked out well for all minorities.

(The question arises, too, as to which top city or civic posts are held by political appointees. And who decides?).

Seattle is 70% Caucasian, 12% black, 13% Asian, 4% Hispanic...

Based on my experience, I think SHA turns a largely deaf ear to minorities that its target population often feels antipathy towards.

Conflict arose when the subtext exploded into reality: As a person of a despised minority, I was implicitly "understood" to defer/obey to residents and staff of the dominant/favored race.

Which I had difficulty doing.

"Why was that white woman treated better than I [was]?" in the monthly residents' newsletter showing an African-American illustrates who that target population is.

Unfortunately, "racial and social justice" (the name of one of its departments) for all does not appear to be accessible to all of those whom it, ostensibly, serves.

Residents should not have to live year after year next door to their aggressor(s): those who have repeatedly sexually harassed and behaved in an unapologetically, virulently racist manner towards them.

It takes a huge toll on their health. Now I have high blood pressure and chronic anxiety.

*****

I felt, psychologically, like Anita gang-raped in "West Side Story":

"Let me go by."

"NO WAY. It's my turn...let me have a go at her."

*****

Staff should not behave in a way that discriminates against certain residents, based on race, by destroying written complaints and/or failing to do inspections that they have conducted with other residents with similar or identical maintenance issues.

In my case, this failure to inspect my apartment for water damage after heavy rains that damaged the two apartments above me has contributed to the development of serious respiratory issues, including sinusitis and asthma.

Moreover, covert and/or overt retaliation--sweeping things under the rug--against the vulnerable (elderly, disabled, undesirable demographic groups--even if unacknowledged as such) and whistle blowers, as well as destroying or hiding/removing incriminating evidence is very disappointing.

It erodes faith in our public and civic institutions and gives rise to strong feelings of social injustice.

SHA hires a full-time, in-house legal counsel, which--I surmise--allows it to cut corners--while minimizing risks and protecting its own interests--and get them out of "sticky situations.

"We scratch your back if you scratch ours" does not seem to be an ethical underpinning of its modus operandi, even if not in violation, per se, of the law.

How is this different from Trumpism?

In the long run, favoritism and exclusion do not serve the cause of humanity. The bumper-sticker I saw recently said, "There is no 'we' and 'they'."

2019 Seattle is neither 1940's Seattle nor 1920's Birmingham.

Who is paying the bill for what--and why?

I learned--alas, too late, perhaps--that waiting for others to do what one lacks the courage to do is untenable for me, at least.

Is there a charter or set of rules under which SHA operates? I don't think they'd be willing to share this except under duress. I tried to use Public Disclosure Laws to obtain records. They used a "I never had sex with that woman" type of obfuscation.

Why isn't there apparently any oversight or ombudsman?

SHA is one of the largest non-profits in Seattle.

What about a class action suit by tenants and by tenant organizations against this behemoth = fiefdom that is self-governing and answers to no one, neither the Seattle City Council nor H.U.D.?

Surely H.U.D, which funds S.H.A., does not permit discrimination.

From these experiences I now understand how difficult it is to question unspoken racial hierarchies and assumptions.

In Buddhism, courage is a quality that can be cultivated.

In the U.S., freedom is supposedly a right, not dependent on who or what group is in power.
______
"Something is rotten in the state of Denmark." (Hamlet)

I'd rather be forbidden fruit than fruit that's been devoured by others." (Lily H.)"

"They want me to be blinded-folded AND play the donkey, too. They wouldn't take 'no.' " (Resident)

"Not all transactions are in $$." (The Anti-Yelp)

*****

An elderly brown fag am I. A human being, too.

*****

I would like to report improvement with the recent departure of a property manager.

In fact, though it is impossible to ascertain, I suspect that SHA directly or indirectly was responsible since October 22, 2019 of the removal of my photos and captions, which made sense of what had happened to me over the past 7 years.

They make a strong case by giving a first-hand, intimate look at living in public housing and the deafness of SHA.

Seven years of a next-door-neighbor coming onto me-acts of blatant voyeurism, racist insults ("You're pretty weird. Guess it's 'cause you're Asian"), sexual taunts, and illegal entry. Another, Mommie Dearest, has been hell-bent on being my best friend.

The toxic racism directed at me was the most searing of my entire adult life.

(The ostensible "guidelines" are a pretext to remove ones that step on the toes of a powerful but invisible few. No names or photos of individuals).

The pairing of image and haiku-type caption was a way for me to come to terms with the racism and sexual trauma. Art, literature, and history have enormous relevance in our lives.

I spent 200+ hours working on this, and all has disappeared. I hoped it would convey how devastating sexual abuse and racial harassment are.dd. Yelp did not send me warning nor a copy.

With all its trademark consumerist venality, the friends of Yelp-SHA had the great wisdom, generosity, creativity, courage, and perspicacity to bend to pressure to remove my work.

Who really cares, except for a few SHA honchos?

Living here has been like being "held up" daily, literally (taking up your time by engaging in increasingly outre behaviors) and figuratively.

Neighbors who glee over stripping others, psychologically, of their defenses and force them into exploitative relationships...

Factor in the moral cowardice evinced by SHA, the largest landlord in Seattle. SHA could act unequivocally in defense of racial justice and human dignity.

People can and do get very sick living in these "communities" of "special populations," as my words and images tried to graphically and vividly convey. Social promiscuity here can be toxic when family-of-origin conflicts are played out in a destructive fashion, with neighbors--the person next door--as proxies.

And hold on--"Till Do Us Part"--they do, "pourrissant, sans complexe,la vie des autres," as the French would say. Poisoning the well of life of other residents if they can't gorge themselves at that very same well.

The pretext of being wanting to be "a good neighbor" and to help ("you poor poor thing, aren't you pathetic") can be unmasked for what it is. But caution: the mask is glued to the faces of some.

Fear the knock on the door. Neighbors with the gentle Gestapo touch ('YOU ARE NOT TO DO THIS. THIS IS AN ORDER"). Fear neighbors who insinuate themselves into your life.

(Hence, the common message taped on doors, "Please do not disturb. Visits only by appointment.").

Being subtle - Asking - Indirectly asking -
Guilt-tripping - Demanding - Threatening - Punishing - Destroying.

From what I have observed, SHA communities rely heavily on the right side of the scale.

How you can build communities when residents have no understanding of where they end and others begin?

The blind leading the blind.

(I would include staff, not just residents).

This is psychological cannibalism, grown adults with deep unmet needs turning to other "empty wells" for attention, companionship, love. Hence, the intense internecine conflicts among residents who do venture rarely outside Section 8 because of psychopathology disorders, etc., making interactions problematic if not impossible. That, and the fact that it is much easier to find victims among a vulnerable population, within 'The Community.'

Most staff seem to have reasonable interpersonal skills. But it seems they cannot fathom the dynamics of interpersonal relations in SHA housing.

A course in Psychology 101 would be most helpful, as residents are not only financially deprived but also of basic human nurturing--a childhood deficit--as well as a sense of adequacy, self-love--as opposed to narcissism. There is little interest in the world beyond gossip about the affairs of neighbors.

A fishbowl existence: Banality, boredom, backstabbing, bitching.

The three "i's" apply to much of SHA staff: ineffective, incompetent, indifferent. And perhaps a "B" for burn-out.

Section 8 housing surely is worthy of a dissertation in social psychology or a longitudinal study.

"To thine own self be true and it must follow...."

Regards,
The Yelp Support Team
San Francisco, California

Yelp Support Center | http://www.yelp-support.com
Yelp Official Blog | https://www.yelpblog.com
Yelp for Business Owners | https://biz.yelp.com

For your reference this is Case #: 8970942

[[83038d3df3eeaca8bc0b2b2e1c322fbd9f3a5774-1466934787]]

Life in America: Much sound, much fury. 00000.

After almost seven decades I begin to notice that for most Americans, life is about

Going to work
Family
Watching sports
Action films
Social media / smartphones
Music with a strong, insistent rhythm (hip-hop, rock, soul, pop...)
and
Everything must be and is a set-up for a punch-line or a joke
(hence the content of commercial advertising to appeal to this sensibility)

Everything is a gag.

Of course, that is "better" than living in a country where there is civil unrest and widespread violence or grinding poverty.

But
Is that all there is?


A lot of chatter...that signifies 00000.

Much sound, much fury...
An emptiness that is not at peace with itself.

Let us reset the counter back to a truly sincere
00000.

Orphée dépecé par les Ménades.1698. Ca' Rezzonico, Venise (?)

Marguerite Duras MARGUERITE TELLE QU'EN ELLE-MÊME

The quiet gardener

My alma mater 30 years or so ago named a building for an African-American freshman who had  accidentally drowned in the college swimming pool.

James Paroline, a Bronze star Vietnam war veteran, died as a result of one sucker punch which caused his head to hit the ground.  He had been tending a traffic circle garden and refused to move his garden hose as a group of young African-Americans had demanded he do.

The City of Seattle did not do anything to honor his memory, not so much as rename the traffic circle garden in his memory.

There were no protests, no calls for justice.  The young man was sentenced to 11 years in prison.  This was 9 years ago.  His two female friends, who had called him on their cellphone to "deal with" Paroline were not charged as accomplices.


https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/man-sentenced-to-11-years-for-fatal-blow/

Thoughts on race, again: Between black and white, there is a middle ground

I can't help but think that the Black Lives Matter protests are an extremely effective way of stoking racial fears among African-Americans (and liberal whites), no less pernicious--if not actually more, than stoking racial fears among white Americans.

* * * * *

I hope my two white neighbors, both women, will not be tempted to have "another go" at me:  their harassment of me based on their racism--racial assumptions and prejudice--was very effective in meeting their personal needs.

#####