Heather Marlowe: "I am currently being told I cannot call anything or anyone out because "I will lose my funding from the charities and wealthy people."
February 4 at 9:16pm · San Francisco, CA · Edited ·
For those who wish to "drum and dance" at VDAY/1 Billion Rising San Francisco's "raising awareness" exercise — a 2 hour event that is being co-sponsored by the very mayor who is responsible for re-victimizing me when his appointed law enforcement team mishandled my rape investigation and then ignored processing my rape kit for 2.5 years -- please feel free.
I went to 1 Billion Rising 2013 and had a grand old time dancing, waving around a pink ribbon, and listening to everyone sing, chant, dance, and preach to the choir. There is value to this.
For those of you who are survivors, activists, and community workers I do not judge you, and I truly hope you find some comfort, healing, fun on a personal level but I feel ethically responsible to let you know that 1 Billion Rising is partnered with a system that has entirely failed me and 1,877 rape victims, 1135 of those victims whose rape kits have still not been processed.
1BR's decision to partner with the City of San Francisco is far from the "Revolutionary" battle-cry language they claim these world-wide “Uprisings" to be.
Let me be clear, I have also worked and interfaced with these politicians that 1BR is partnered with. They are "nice" people, they "care" and "deeply concerned" about my "cause" and many have even donated money to my play as “stakeholders”.
I am an artist. I am trying to move my career along as well. So I am grateful for those within this system who have supported my work and paid to listen to me call *all* of them out in THE HAZE.
It’s really something to listen to these politicians, city officials, “stakeholders" - those who are working “for the good and betterment of our city”, a city where their Sheriff is a wife-beater, where their Chief of Police is currently being sued for mishandling an attempted murder case against a woman - tell me over and over again, “Heather, the system is fucked”.
What’s more incredible is that they appear to be doing very little to absolutely nothing to reform it.
That is why I thought that there might be a chance for partnership with 1BR and VDAY with its “revolutionary” languaging. I should have known better given the celebratory, docile atmosphere that I experienced the first time I went.
But I gave VDAY the benefit of the doubt and I went to their planning meeting and listened to the executive director talk about how Eve Ensler would just like to “drum and dance” as the "revolution" this year.
I suggested that perhaps a list of demands be added to "drumming and dancing", I was told that would be considered, and then the meeting ended.
During this last month, I've researched VDAY, 1BR and page after page of its criticisms. These were criticisms that resonated with me and I saw a pattern in the way VDAY operated. VDAY, like they often do with other hardworking grassroots artists and activists only agreed to meet with me - after years of unresponsive emails - *after* my activist work was done and when they saw an "opportunity" to use my work in their marketing campaign.
This is not partnering with THE HAZE, and my "voice" speaking for itself. In my opinion, this is co-opting my hard work into Eve Ensler's 7 million dollar non-profit machine whose ED decided that, in order to save money in SF this year, they would not rent an outdoor sound system, and instead relegate their "revolution" to inside of City Hall. (Personally, I find saving money to be a very entitled, privileged POV from VDAY, a 7 million dollar non-profit industrial complex that is talking about a day of “revolution” for "women everywhere").
My conclusions: One Billion Rising San Francisco is not a “revolution”. Just like the failure of a system that it is partnered with, 1 Billion Rising is simply "The Status Quo".
I do not support this event and THE HAZE and the work of “the rape kit backlog” does not associate with it. I have emailed the ED of VDAY asking her to not speak about my work at this “drumming and dancing” exercise.
If you would like to support something worthwhile you can sign my petition demanding the mayor to earmark funding to effectively handling the crime of rape in San Francisco moving forward: http://www.thehazeplay.com/sign-the-petition/
3 people like this.
Deborah Gerson Heather. I support much of this, but take issue with some specifics. And yes the non-profit machine can often be as self-important and ineffective as the profit sector.
Deborah Gerson I'd like to talk in person.
Heather Marlowe http://jezebel.com/.../one-billion-rising-the-ladies...One Billion Rising: The Ladies' Movement That Smells Like Kony 2012
Today isn't just Valentine's Day; it's One Billion Rising,...
JEZEBEL.COM|BY KATIE J.M. BAKER
Heather Marlowe https://modelviewculture.com/.../there-is-no-we-v-day...There is No “We”: V-Day, Indigenous Women and the Myth of Shared Gender...
MODELVIEWCULTURE.COM
Heather Marlowe http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/.../one-billion-rising...BLOG: "Why I Won't Support One Billion Rising"
The primary problem with One Billion Rising is its...
HUFFINGTONPOST.CO.UK
Heather Marlowe http://everydayvictimblaming.com/.../eve-ensler-and.../Eve Ensler and “Congo Stigmata”
We were extremely distressed to read Eve Ensler’s article The Congo Stigmata in Talk this morning. We...
EVERYDAYVICTIMBLAMING.COM
Heather Marlowe https://www.facebook.com/notes/miz-babzylonia-nadirehs/why-one-billion-rising-and-v-day-dont-cut-it-for-me/1040705172611933?pnref=storyWhy One Billion Rising and V-Day don't cut it for me
One Billion Rising’s V-Day dancing and drumming event is a distraction from genuine reform efforts regarding protections and justice for victims of predatory violence. One Billion Rising (OBR) attracts flattered and/or knee-jerk celebrities; spends resources on self-promotion and symbolism as if women dancing and drumming with pink ribbons compels ...
See MoreDamian Schloming We live in a world that is too much about political correctness and popularity contests. everyone goes through and performs the ritual. They express outrage over rape. Because that is what is chic now. No longer is that chic to express outrage over sluttiness, or witchcraft. Rape is where were it is at now. That is what all the cool kids know. but, when push comes to show, can you rely on them if you're ever in need to? You can rely on them to think about the reputations and be calculating. Very calculating.
Damian Schloming The Atlantic has a really wonderful article on bullying. Which is excellent. I really think parallels to this article should be considered with regard to rape. And remember what Naomi Wolf said, her words which Facebook might've deleted quote: state-sponsored rape. http://m.theatlantic.com/.../02/the-bully-business/385169/An entire industry is profiting off of tactics used to punish mean children at school.
THEATLANTIC.COM|BY CEVIN SOLING
Damian Schloming There is one sentence for that article I particularly like: where it says research has shown the autocratic method of schooling has been shown to foster obedience rather than empathy. That is so applicable to the whole rape situation today.
Heather Marlowe Obedience to politicians looking for "opportunity", obedience to the pandering media looking for "opportunity", obedience to the "rape-victim savior industrial complex" who is effectively partnered with all of these autocracies as well as the corporate conglomerate who is controlling all of them.
Damian Schloming All part of the victim complex. The Pity Industry. The Eeyore-i-zation of modern politics. Let's see if this pastes right. https://www.google.com/search?site=&tbm=isch&source=hp...eeyore rain cloud - Google Search
GOOGLE.COM
Heather Marlowe Damian Schloming Yes. Recycling victimization from the very system that victimized for profit, celebrity, and political gain. In your response to Gibbons article from Meaghan Ybos you said: "And, of course, women end up being involved in charity and do gooderism, but, in a way, that’s fluff. And, of course, the whole issue of rape presents itself when charity is involved – which survives on the VOLUNTARY contributions from the wealthy, which means huge efforts must be made to avoid offending any of the wealthy, and that’s exactly where issues of rape and corruption can start to unfold." This is dead on. I am currently being told that I cannot call anything or anyone out because I "will lose my funding from the charities and wealthy people."
February 5 at 12:48pm · Edited · Unlike · 3
Heather Marlowe As an artist, just like journalists Naomi Wolf and Glenn Greenwald and on and on, this threat of censorship is very real.
February 5 at 12:53pm · Edited · Like · 1
Damian Schloming Just remember that when there was a labor movement, they had the power to engage in strikes. which is all but walking away and refusing to give in to them.
Damian Schloming Anyway, the good news is the federal deficit is very high. We are important everything from everywhere and not producing anything ourselves. The state of affairs can't continue forever, at some point things will change.
Damian Schloming It looks like China will be the next country saddled with the burden of being an empire. Let's give them their condolences now.
Damian Schloming Importing, not important.
Heather Marlowe Magalie Bonneau-Marcil responded to this same FB post in the One Billion Rising SF planning page and then it was deleted. Here is what she said: Magalie Bonneau-Marcil 7:03am Feb 5
I feel empathy Heather for your outrage. It is outraging what happened to you and continues to happen daily locally and worldwide with the rape kits and more. It is just not ok, hard and frustrating, I'm with you. Glad you invited us to sign the petition. My name is on it. May it spread and make a difference. Bless your persistence and courage to meet this shadowy system heads on with facts and your moving story. I hear how much you wished V-Day had been acting differently; be more focused on inviting tangible solutions and meeting your personal needs and the collective needs you stand on behalf of at a time you really needed that support. As large their budget might seem, it is tiny when you consider the billions of folks they stand for. I am not surprise they face limit to how much they can support individuals. One thing I sense is that they are doing their very best. And... no one is perfect. I really think they are doing their very best by choosing to do what they do, including partnering up with the city of SF, with the shadow that comes with it. It is a paradox. And, I see there is power and light in choosing to partner up with Mayor Ed Lee and the board of supervisors. Choosing that route can be a powerful strategic doorway for allyship towards inviting real change over time. And yes, there is a political game there going on, I'm with you. Dear sister, I was there at that planning meeting you refer to and been part of the conversations about locations of the SF event. Please be aware that your blame and judgements are not revealing the full context whether you are aware of not. Reading parts of your share concerns me. The way you expose the situation reminds me of the journalists syndrome where one share the facts they want to share as opposed of exposing a broader authentic context to pass their point across. So many activists fall under that trap. I don't think that way of exposing a story serves the deeper point you wish to make - such an important one. Please be aware of your impact and notice if it meets your intended results. I'm concerned it may not serve what you stand up for at the bottom of your heart. Bless you sister. Call me if you want to talk. Love.Heather Marlowe Magalie Bonneau-Marcil How is there "power and light" in partnering with my oppressors? I invited "my oppressors" to attend my play. One SFPD person came and made a fool of himself and lied and was called out. But I did extend an open invitation to all of them - a chance to learn. I did not partner with them. By you and Susan Celia Swan taking me out of the 1BR Facebook page you have effectively acted worse than I did to those who re-victimized me. Opposing POVs are an opportunity to learn.
February 6 at 2:06am · Edited · Like · 1
Heather Marlowe Magalie Bonneau-Marcil What do you think that I left out of the meeting?
Heather Marlowe Magalie Bonneau-Marcil You mean the fact that I emailed you after to say yes, I had a totally dismissive tone because I was scared and trembling to my very core to learn that 1BR was partnered with THE MAYORS office for this "revolution"
Heather Marlowe Magalie Bonneau-Marcil and Susan Celia Swan who have blocked me out of the 1BR planning group: I don’t like groups that claim to be inclusive, but actually freeze out and block out voices they don’t want to hear. There is nothing inclusive about that.
Heather Marlowe Magalie Bonneau-Marcil you wrote of 1BR "I really think they are doing their very best by choosing to do what they do, including partnering up with the city of SF, with the shadow that comes with it. It is a paradox. And, I see there is power and light in choosing to partner up with Mayor Ed Lee and the board of supervisors. Choosing that route can be a powerful strategic doorway for allyship towards inviting real change over time." I would invite you to research Martin Luther King Jr, Ghandi, Morris Dees of the Southern Poverty Law Center (the man has to live in hiding because of the death threats against him for decades!), Margaret Sanger, Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Carrie Clinton Lane...the list goes on and on, and that’s just in the United States!
February 6 at 2:07am · Edited · Like · 1
Heather Marlowe Magalie Bonneau-Marcil you wrote "I don't think that way of exposing a story serves the deeper point you wish to make - such an important one. Please be aware of your impact and notice if it meets your intended results." What does this mean? I truly hope you take the time to read some of the articles on my page. I think it speaks volumes to the "deeper point" that I wish to make.
Heather Marlowe Miz Babzylonia Nadirehs wrote "It's a two hour feel-good event taking place in city hall. As an aging feminist who was involved in NOW, NARAL and agitating, marching, and working booths for the Equal Rights Amendment, I can tell you, there is nothing revolutionary about this event, or the slick website and marketing campaigns that mostly just brings more donations for the non-profit. Anyone who thinks drumming and dancing for a couple of hours is going to shake things up and move authorities forward is kidding themselves. The only thing that creates change is demanding change and not letting up so that those in power feel their jobs are threatened.
Further, although engaging in activities to seek one's own healing is a valuable exercise, it isn't activism and it doesn't help the common good. That's the problem with V-Day in general- it exists to help Eve Ensler find approval, admiration, and self-acceptance."February 6 at 2:33am · Edited · Like · 1
Heather MarloweHeather Marlowe Barbara Mhangami Magalie has de-friended me. Too bad she is unwilling to have a dialogue with me
Barbara Mhangami Dear Heather Marlowe this should not surprise you right? Given the modus operandii you are now very familiar with. Look towards genuine Light and authentic solidarity...it is not here. You have already done amazing work on your own. Real results and I have no doubt you will go on to do more work that will help many women. Focus on this instead. Know also that you are not alone in your pain and frustration...you see this around you already. Also rest well knowing that your hands are clean and you are amazing unto yourself. Walk away from this...It is well.
February 6 at 2:07pm · Edited · Like · 1
Miz Babzylonia Nadirehs I keep seeing Dancing Without Borders all over the 1BR SF site, and I read a comment from the person behind Dancing Without Borders, (Magalie Bonneau-Marcil), to Heather Marlowe. Although on the surface the comment appeared supportive, it wasn't really, but was subtly correcting and blaming as it tried to convince Heather to change her attitude. I posted a question about a couple of things she wrote, asking her specifically for clarification. She never answered.
Then I discovered Heather is not posting on the SF site anymore because she's been blocked, and given Heather is a SF activist, artist who wrote and performed an actual play (The Haze) about her experience with the SF police and city officials after she was a rape victim, re-victimized in a sense by the treatment she received from the police and a 2.5 year wait (battle) to get her rape kit tested, and along with a local journalist was actually the reason the city was exposed and embarrassed into testing fewer than 800 kits, and she is still agitating about the more than 1100 kits still sitting untested and deteriorating, I find her posts deleted and her being blocked by women in her own city offensive and alarming! Then I saw on this page Heather's comment to to someone else that Magalie Bonneau-Marcil had gone as far to "unfriend" her.
Well, that made me curious about Magalie Bonneau-Marcil and Dancing Without Borders, given its 1BR San Francisco high profile. What did I find? Dancing Without Borders is a business. Magalie Bonneau-Marcil is receiving payment for the work she is doing for this event, and the event is also bringing her business a tremendous amount of free publicity. Of course she chooses not to allow any alternative or critical voices!
While I'm on the topic of conflicts of interest (which this is, as well as this isn't really a political revolution), I read about Susan Celia Swan being honored by the mayor as an honoree at the "Women Making History Celebration 2014." Since she is the V-Day executive director, and is the person who wouldn't allow Heather to finish a thought and yelled at Heather during a three-way phone call, I decided to learn more about her too.
Given San Francisco's rich history, I'm not sure what Ms. Swan has done thus far in her life to warrant a "making history" honor. I've not been able to find anything about that yet.
Like Ms. Bonneau-Marcil, Ms. Swan also owns her own business, Swan LLC Media. Her resume states: "Specializing in strategic media, media relations, marketing and branding. Clients include personalities, non profits, and companies in the fields of politics, social issues, technology, and entertainment." Ms. Swan draws a substantial salary for her V-Day work and it is her job to promote and protect the V-Day brand.
There you go. "Leaders" of this "rising-up" "revolution" to "demand change" are not activists, but business people with a conflict of interest. I'm sorry genuine activists in the U.S., Canada, and overseas were led down the garden path only to find their efforts co-opted along with attempts to silence their voices when they protested. Given this is really a brand marketing run like a business by business people instead of activists, it's what one would expect to happen, but activists finding out after initially joining in and feeling hopeful must be so disillusioned.