Letters to Artvoice

It’s Not the Co-op, It’s The Principle

Dear Artvoice,

I am a long-time member of the Lexington Co-op and I was appalled at the information presented by Michael Niman in his article “The Food Coop and the Hate Group” (October 20-26, 2005) on Twelve Tribes and Common Ground. But I have been equally appalled at the discussion since that article, both in the “Letters” column and at the Coop General meeting. No one is talking about racism. Instead I hear phrases like “warm and friendly people,” “just don’t buy the bread,” “other bad food companies” and “cooperative principles.”

What world are we living in? During the past week, the nation honored and buried Rosa Parks extolling her legacy of courage. We have an ongoing celebration of the centennial of the Niagara Movement right here in Western New York. But the struggle continues when there are groups like Twelve Tribes.

The Southern Poverty Law Center characterizes a hate group as one that has “beliefs or practices that attack or malign an entire class of people, typically for their immutable characteristics.” (www.splcenter.org)

I do not want to support racism. I do not want my coop to support racism. But evil will persist if good people do nothing. The Coop does not need Common Ground bread on its shelves. But we do need to now take this opportunity to mightily affirm our categorical disavowal of racism. The community will be watching.

Susan Sellingsloh

Buffalo

Dear Mr. Niman,

Thank you for your well-researched article on the “Community” or “Twelve Tribes.” I found it fascinating and an informative update on what is going on with these people.

I myself investigated the group in Hamburg almost ten years ago. I collected local news articles and literature from the group in order to watch how they developed in the local community. At the time, I was employed by the pizzeria next door, and would often have members of the group drop in for lunch. Occasionally, I would stop in to their store and buy muffins or a candle, which of course were very appealing.

On one occasion I became involved in a theological discussion with one of the group’s members, who if I remember correctly was some sort of senior proselytizer. They apparently felt as if I was someone worth pursuing as a convert, and invited me to dinner at their home, which I accepted.

I attended the dinner and witnessed their celebration which I believe is conducted nightly, and found them a very interesting study. I left the meeting feeling informed, and somewhat disturbed, about the nature of this group who claimed to be a perfect society. At the time, I didn’t notice any racism (though perhaps at twenty-one I was too young and naive to recognize it) but the sexism was obvious. Strangely, the women seemed perfectly at ease with the lifestyle of the community, though I doubted that the image was always maintained behind closed doors.

At any rate, I want to say thanks once again for your outstanding article, which I hope is widely read. The community at large needs to be aware of what is happening with these people, and be lucid enough to recognize it for what it is behind the smiling faces and warm manners.

Regards,

Mark Bernas

Ed. Note: Lexington Co-op is hosting a Member Forum to discuss their relationship with Common Ground this Sunday, November 13, 2-4 pm, at the Unitarian Universalist Church at Elmwood and West Ferry. Common Ground representatives will be there to answer questions. All Co-op member-owners are encouraged to attend.

Artistic Outrage

Dear Artvoice,

The following members of the Buffalo Theatre Alliance (Alleyway Theatre, Irish Classical Theatre, Jewish Repertory Theatre, Kavinoky Theatre, MusicalFare Theatre, O’Connell & Company, Road Less Traveled Productions, Shakespeare in Delaware Park, Shea’s Performing Arts Center, Theatre of Youth) express their outrage at the proposed elimination of cultural funding for Studio Arena in the 2006 budget year. After the ill-advised removal of one hundred percent of Erie County cultural funding for ten Alliance theatres in 2005, this latest action would eliminate Erie County funding for ALL professional theatre in Erie County. This is unacceptable.

Professional theatre is one of the most active and visible components in Buffalo’s Arts community. Studio Arena is the flagship of the Buffalo Theatrical community. The Buffalo Theatre Alliance believes that County cultural funding for Studio Arena must be preserved and that, in the future, funding for the entire arts community of Erie County should be restored.

Randall Kramer, Artistic/Executive Director

MusicalFare Theatre