Two weeks ago I wrote an open letter to the AWP (The Association of Writers and Writing Programs) about my experience at their conference earlier this year and a response to recent goings-on that has cast a harsh (yet necessary) look at the organization, its conference and how it operates. (For a summary of what happened read my open letter and for a post responding to what happened recently as well as a treasure trove of links click here.)
I emailed a copy of the letter to the Executive Board of Trustees. Writing the letter was not about ranting or discussing a “hot topic” that week – it was about opening (or participating in) a dialogue that needed to take place. I felt like a lot of people were being silent on the issues brought up within the last month – the Executive Board included. I felt like a lot of the people who weren’t being silent were shouting or even if they weren’t shouting, would come across as shouting. I didn’t want to shout, but I wasn’t going to lead with niceties and worry about people’s feelings more than worrying about being truthful. Change is hard and the truth can be harsh, and both were needed. Both still are needed.
I emailed the six individuals that I did because they seemed to be the inner sanctum of the organization’s governance. I didn’t want to just reach out to the Chair of the Board, but I also felt like reaching out to every person in the organization’s leadership would be seen as shrill – that’s a couple dozen people after all.
