UBC Accountable is (almost) Listening

Hi Everyone, I delivered the letter and signatures to Joseph Boyden (who didn't respond) and Carmen Aguirre (who did). Ms. Aguirre, a spokesperson for UBC Accountable, called me to say that the UBC Accountable group had planned to make a new statement, but then the Galloway confessional statement appeared, and they took that as their statement. Members of the group have also started to publish their own statements, some of which are apologies, on the UBC Accountable site. Ms. Aguirre also told me that there would be a new space on the website called the "counter" space or something like that, and that could be where a full discussion of the issues by anyone--not just those in favour of the original letter--could post their views. I think they want to do this because some of them do want dialogue. And others? I'm not sure. What I'm sure of is that this is a response to us. Here's what Galloway has said through his lawyers: "Mr. Galloway profoundly regrets his conduct and wishes to apologize for the harm that it has caused. He does not seek to minimize it or to hide from it," the statement says. "He seeks fair treatment for all involved, and an end to the scurrilous assertions and accusations that have proliferated in the vacuum of information." Have we won? I'm not sure about that. The counter-letter calls for those who signed to remove their signatures. Some have even called for the letter to be withdrawn. I would have liked the latter, and a new letter written that fully takes account of the harm to survivors and the danger of speaking out, at UBC and beyond. Somehow this looks like a recentring effort by these authors. The fact that lawyers are also issuing statements at the same time is disturbing to me. Some of the advocates for Galloway are already saying that "all" he did was date someone, thereby minimizing whatever happened to that woman, because we still don't know what actually is the case. If the voices and experiences of women, especially women affected by harassment within rape culture, aren't heard and respected in this matter then I want to keep the letter open for signing. But make no mistake: the counter-letter has had a major effect on public opinion about the Galloway case. We have helped to get Margaret Atwood and others to apologize. Others have written thoughtful pieces. Another signatory withdrew his name today. I can see how the power of collective action here has stopped the lawyers and the PR campaign about Steven Galloway's case in its tracks, and we have helped to refocus public attention on the female complainants and the rights of survivors. I'm so proud of that effort, and thankful to you for being part of it. Regards, Julie Rak