Spill the tea

Lady Whistledown speaks

Some time ago I was on public transportation with a dear friend. We were discussing the emergence of a writer by the name of NYC Teacher Guy. This friend of mine said it reminded her of Lady Whistledown of Bridgerton. I’d never watched the show, and I have no clue about the doings of royalty, or the latest gossip regarding the lords and ladies of Bridgerton. But I looked it up, and watched a little. Last night’s Delegate Assembly was hilarious and reminded me of the show. A true affair to remember.

The DA arrived just as the public part of the spring UFT election got underway. There was a convergence of factors that erupted in full view. There was the anticlimactic announcement of the Arise presidential candidate, the ABC uncaucus fizzle, and the hearty and impassioned defense of a socialist takeover of the union by the MORE caucus.

O’Swish was named Diamond of the Season by the good folk of Arise. And why not, she has all the qualifications one must obviously need to lead our union. After all, she received tenure two years ago. It would have made a greater impact on me as an observer had she spoken at the delegate assembly last night but the MORE caucus Care Circle supervisor Peter Lamphere had other plans.

At the door of 52 Broadway there are typically people handing out all sorts of literature. Sometimes I’ll take one, other times not. Last night I was unaware of what was being given out so the drama that unfolded was that much more exciting. Apparently a flier was given out that essentially said DSA=MORE=Arise. I don’t understand why ABC was not included in that equation. They have a number of disaffected MORE members working with them to get the uncaucus project off the ground.

DSA stands for Democratic Socialists of America. This is a group that stands on the far left of American political and social thought. They advocate for positions such as the New York Health Act, Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctioning of Israel, defunding the police, open borders, the abolition of capitalism and other positions super NOT popular with most Americans. They dream of a day where your taxes pay for their collective fantasy. O’Swish once spoke at a group called the Tempest Collective which, unbelievably, is to the left of DSA. So it makes perfect sense why she is their presidential candidate.

The first and only motion we heard was made by Terrain Reeves to place on next month's agenda, a resolution that would forbid outside groups from interfering in the UFT spring election. That’s when both ABC and Arise erupted like a bottle of Crystal Pepsi that someone dropped a pack of mentos into. Jonathan Halabi and Daniel Alicea stridently demanded information as to who the motion was referring to. The response from Terrain was that it was whoever. UFT elections are for UFT members.

To be honest I thought that was common sense. I really did. I must be naive because the conversation did not end there. They insisted on knowing who the resolution was about. And then Care Circle Supervisor Pete Lamphere barged into the conversation. For a second I felt bad for Dan Alicea. He was about to profess his undying love for Marianne Lynda Carter Pizzitola ♥️

Pete jumped in and demanded respect for his lifelong devotion to socialism. It was hilarious. I felt bad for O’Swish. She wasn’t able to make her grand entrance to the ball. She didn’t get to speak or show she could lead. The Care Circle Supervisor demonstrated his privilege by trampling all over her only opportunity to make a first impression on the membership. She was a complete non factor. She didn’t ask any questions during the q& a period, and never got the chance to speak to the motion. I guess when a revolutionary activist like Peter Allen Lamphere must demonstrate his privilege everyone else in MORE must take a back seat. To support her I looked into the MORE Member’s handbook and found this:

Community Accountability Principles

We seek to create a caucus that is a welcoming and safe space for all members. We believe that in a society full of conflict and harm anyone can knowingly and unknowingly participate in conflict and harm, but that transformation is possible and we can grow and stay in community together…

MORE is developing restorative justice processes and norms that help repair harm when it happens and help members take accountability for their actions while growing as organizers and community members. Members who repeatedly violate the community commitments of the caucus and refuse to engage in restorative justice or be held accountable will be removed from membership.

If you desire a restorative justice circle or support with a conflict, please complete this Accountability Support Request form, and someone from the Community Accountability team will be in touch with you within 48 hours.

Frankly I think we should all support Olivia by completing the Accountability Support Request Form. We need to demand that Peter Allen Lamphere take responsibility for the inappropriate and undue exercise of his privilege as a white man from a wealthy background. It would probably be best if someone else from MORE would step in to lead the Care Circle that helps to repair the damage that Peter has done to Olivia and to all of the women seeking to have a voice in the MORE caucus specifically and the UFT more generally.

His face got all puffy and red while he spoke on how important sharing other people’s money was to him. And then there was the vote. The Care Circle enthusiasts and the Marianne Lynda Carter Pizzitola ♥️admirers got together to fight the good fight against common sense and… failed.

So what’s the lesson here? Is it that we can live our values? Yes, I think so. Is it that the UFT election should belong to and be participated in by UFT members only? A clear majority of Delegates think so. Or… is it that responsible leadership means listening to others, and making informed decisions about the best interests for everyone involved? I think that’s reasonable. Or is the lesson that it doesn’t pay to be the Diamond of the Season when Lord Peter Allen Lamphere is grousing in the background. I wouldn’t trust my union to this group of pretend revolutionary cosplayers. I’ll keep my union strong and vote Unity.

In the meanwhile, would you be a dear and pour me a cup. Be careful not to spill the tea, it's piping hot and you might get burned.