Well, the little snake tongues of hate have started to wag with The Times piece. A few mails, a comment. Inevitable, really, but it doesn't make it easier when you realize how much vitriole is out there - that impotent, anonymous variety, which could come from anyone, high, low, powerful, nervous, weak, sad, in hiding, or under your nose. This energy could be put to more positive use.
Funny, Elissa Gootman said in her article that we - our group of volunteers - must all be optimists. I am not an optimist. But we're here, and we have to make the best of it. So what does that make me? Shame on you, said a recent comment on this blog. Called me privileged. Well, perhaps the profile picture of the glass of bubbly is provocative! But please. Called me racist. When I think of the fights I have got into because of racism, it's rather hysterically funny. But it's not.
Good grief.
The article was well-written and I liked the style. More impressive is what the Mob are doing. Keep it up and ignore the little forked tongues. There are people like that all along the road to achievement. It's a praiseworthy effort and should bring more helpers and certainly more awareness.
ReplyDeleteIt's always shocking to realise there are such irrational people out there, you rebutted very gracefully!
ReplyDeleteDon't give the s.o.b.s the satisfaction of knowing they annoyed you. The world is full of idiots.
ReplyDeleteHats off to you for what you are doing. I have been filled with admiration, even if I live on the other side of the world. The world needs more people like you. Keep on with it and I suspect you'll spark a much larger movement. And hopefully make a few people think twice before dropping trash.
ReplyDeleteMy therapist once told me that if you go to a party and 20 people tell you they like your shoes but the 21st doesn't care for them, that is the comment your mind will focus on all night.
ReplyDeleteWe all love your shoes. Don't worry about the 21st, just keep dancing!
xo jane
Please, please shake off the negative comments - no good comes from them. I wish we lived close enough to join you in your efforts.
ReplyDeleteOn a wholly different note, I don't know how old I thought you were, but it was certainly younger than 41!
wow what an ugly comment on your previous post. i don't get it: taking over people's space??? makes no sense. neither does the supposed 'race' issue. ug. well done for keeping your cool with your reply. -durbanite
ReplyDeletethere is always a critic.
ReplyDeletei agree with jane: i love the shoes!
I came across your blog via nubbytwiglet.com....I read the article re the park pick up and I wanted to tell you that I think you are an amazing woman!! Thank you for cleaning up one of the country's most beautiful parks, and sharing some of the natural beauty with us.
ReplyDeleteYou've inspired me to start something similar in my neighborhood lakefront park!!
Commenting is easy and and we don't always realize there's a real human being who has to "hear" them. I'm picturing the bazillion silent people who didn't comment but were affected by the piece. You provoked comment & that's really great: it's about the number of comments, not their content. (BTW,Nick Bilton wrote about the mean comment phenomenon in the Times Jan 2010 http://nyti.ms/jk29E3.) P.S. Love your blog - you're the reason I added a "Gardening" tab to my iGoogle pages & follow a bunch now. Great way to start the day.
ReplyDeleteWhat I'm seeing is mostly supportive comments for what you and the crew are doing. Yes, there are a lot of sideways comments about social issues, but you stated quite clearly that you were only targeting the trash.
ReplyDeleteI just don't know why the raccoon skull ended up in a trash bag. It was fine where it was, no?
Some people need to classify all behavior that is contrary to their own as racist. I don't understand this but it is what it is. Cleaning up a neglected area of the park is not racist! It benefits every one who uses the park including people and wildlife. It also benefits the ecosystem by removing debris that could pollute the water and promote disease. Litter encourages the rat and mice population to grow and rats and mice can carry diseases. You and your group should be commended for your efforts. If I still lived in New York I would gladly volunteer. Thank you for all of your efforts, Brooklyn and New York are lucky to have you.
ReplyDeleteflwrjane echoes my sentiments...Love those shoes!
ReplyDeleteYou are doing great work. Illegitimis non carborundum!
To Ms. Viljoen: are the woods nicer without the trash? Yes. The litter has no race, class, or sexuality; it's just garbage. It's either there or (thanks to you) it's not. Go no further than that and you're laughing.
ReplyDeleteTo the litterers: let the word get out, if you don't want bloggers, reporters, and photographers tramping through your favorite spot for sex al fresco, pick up after yourselves.
To the person accusing the volunteers of racism: frankly it's racist/classist/etc. to excuse the litter on the basis of who might be dropping it, or to criticize the cleanup on the basis of who is picking it up.
End of story! Keep up the good work.
I'm full of admiration for you and your friends, for getting off your backsides and doing something about a problem.
ReplyDeleteAnyone who can't see what you're all doing is a great thing is a complete wanker themselves!
And I just had to come back and say that the word verification I had to use was "Woodes"...how funny is that?
ReplyDeleteJane is, as usual, right. The majority were both supportive and on point. You are doing a great thing. Don't let the bastards get you down!
ReplyDeleteAnd take a pair of gloves - just in case!
And if they think drinking a glass of champagne is elitist, too darn bad!!
Thank you. Everyone. A lot.
ReplyDeletexxx