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Last Revised: April 1, 1996

GRANMA NUDGE

YOU GOTTA HAVE FRIENDS

by MARY MOORE

In the last issue we bumped this column in order to make room for a feature about despair, depression and burnout from doing the social change work. The reasons for this despair are pretty obvious but what doesn't get talked about enough are the solutions--the attitudes and insights that we need to keep on keeping on. One of the most basic of these is how we support and validate each other for the work we do. I look around me at the good people doing the good work in our community (many of them with columns in this very paper) and while I know they aren't doing it for the recognition it sure wouldn't hurt to give them some.

For example: I've gained alot of insight from Charla Greene over the past few years about the death penalty and how unfairly it is skewed toward those with brown and black skins. Charla has visited a man on Death Row for four years and after delving deeply into his case believes in his innocence. Obviously all those that sit in that hell are not "innocent" but my question to those who still can't get past the "revenge" thing is, "Why is your ire directed at the isolated killer that gets the sensational headlines? Why not direct some of that anger toward the fat cat C.E.O's who are profiting off the deaths of so many faceless people that have been murdered through the air we breathe, the food we eat, the poisons we handle. Or how about those who will unnecessarily die in the future as we watch our healthcare industry become increasingly involved with profits, not people. That is happening right here in Sonoma County as you read these words. Those who profit off of death, though somewhat removed are serial killers in the worst sense.

And speaking of the poisons that are killing us, I'd like to recognize the work of Ed Gehrman who has thoroughly researched the many pesticides that we are exposed to and is willing to take the time to tell us about his findings through these pages. In the past Ed was an anti nuke activist that took a leading role in the Livermore Action Group that exposed the illers at Livermore Labs. Another anti-nukie that started in L.A.G. is Tori Woodard who is now deeply involved in the Ward Valley dump crisis in southern Calif. The idea of a radioactive dump on

sacred Indian ground is another idea brought to us by the afore mentioned corporate killers and is typical of their "solutions".

And then there is Carol Miller, one of the most dedicated and amazing people it has been my pleasure to know. Carol is a walking encyclopedia on the many life affirming and earth saving qualities of Hemp. While raising six kids and living way-y-y-y-y out in the hills behind Cazadero, she and her husband Michael have make their living through right livelihood (he installs solar systems and she has a business called Hemp Essentials) while never giving up the good fight for social justice and a safe environment.

I definitely want to recognize my friends, Anita Poree and Enid Pickett who are willing to share their hard earned wisdom and insight about the issues of race, class and gender--truly a minefield that blows up around us constantly. Alot of white folks might not understand why they titled their column......So I Grew Two Voices. So if you don't understand that then you need to read it. Read it even if you do understand because there is always more to learn, especially if you've been conditioned in the culture of the good old U.S.A. Some things have to be unlearned!! And this would be a good time to mention a couple of other "Hard Core Fem Lizards"; Lorayne Martinez and Laura del Fuego who through their writing and activism crusade daily against racism, sexism and classism. I love sharing a radio program with them every week. (Mondays, 7PM, KBBF 89.1 F.M.)

Another tireless worker is Lois Pearlman, a working single mom who still finds time to be an activist and a writer. She keeps us up on gender politics and plucks away at our homophobia which is still prevalent in enlightened Sonoma County.

And then there is Beth Grimes, an elder willing to share her insights about the connectins between the Christian rightwing, the racist militia and other assorted ilk in the pro and anti choice struggle. But Beth is much more than a single issue person. You'll find her out stumping the neighborhoods for alot of causes.

And another solid sister is Lilith Rogers who while having an eclectic view has made Cuba her main focus and passion. I'm really grateful she's there to give us her insights while we're getting indoctrinated with distortions from the mainstream press. Steve Hassna, poet extraordinaire, who is just starting a column in these pages is another justice worker who will help us sort through the distortions and won't give in to depression.

There are alot of behind the scenes people like Joyce Beydler and Kevin Sullivan and Irv Sutley who do layout, typesetting and distribution for this paper and often get their valuable opinions in as well. Joyce gives away her talent in between her money making gigs and dealing with a housefull of kids. Kevin is a regular (thank goodness) on talk shows dealing with the jerks that the rest of us have given up on and Irv, who is a long time fighter for justice is the best distribution person we've ever had. And a special recognition to Tom Yeates, who with his incredible artistic talent, could be hanging with the Bohos but instead gives his talent away to the good--but poor guys!

Our community is full of talented and committed people. My old friend Dian Hardy started a program in 1985 called Seal Watch that has evolved over the past eleven years into the Stewards of Slavianka, a 250 member volunteer group who is now partnered with the State of California in maintaining the coastal state parks and helping both people and critters to respect each other. Sonoma county is full of concerned environmentalists like Lenny Weinstein who

do the hard work so you and I can live in paradise. Another person who stands out is Earl Herr, a rare physician who actually sides with the workers and patients when it comes to health care issues.

All these individuals arejust a fraction of the people I treasure and take my strength from. They are why I won't wallow in depression or despair even when the odds against us seem so overwhelming. The danger, of course in recognizing just a few people is that you leave out so many others. And I have definitely done that. There are so many people out there who quietly and competently get the needed work done. Yeh-they get discouraged and depressed but they don't let it stop them from making a difference. So to you, Kwazi Nkrumah, Kris Welch, Anna Marie Stenberg, Willie Garret, Alicia and Alfredo Sanchez, Ernie Jones, Kit Mariah, Edy Salee, Johnny Otis, Don Eichelberger, Mama O'Shea, Mei Nakano, Maria Cuevas, Celeste Austin, Timothy Osmer, Carole Ellis, Petra Boardman, Patricia Robles Mitten, Maria Fincher, David Sharp, David Cordingly, Woody Scwartz, Ezster Freeman, Al Liner, Rabbi Michael Robinson, Edna Seidner, Anita Gomes, Rick Coshnear, Kim Calloway, Wayne Gibb, Ann Englar etc.etc.etc. you are all such precious souls. Thanks for being on the planet because you've made my stay alot more endurable. I guess that's what friends are for.

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