But, the Festival is not my focus, in so much as my focus is Environmentalism. I like many other gay people in the Milwaukee area are perplexed by the actions of those in various roles of leadership in the PrideFest bureaucracy.
We are perplexed because the Committee in PrideFest leadership appears to have the approach that has been consistently used throughout history to foster the impression that the Festival is "...of the People, by the People, and for the People!
I say that we need to do more to return the Festival to the control of the People!
In my view there are those in the Pride Conglomerate that seek to expand the role of their egos, as opposed to, expanding the overall beneficial impact that PrideFest has on the city of Milwaukee, and the state of Wisconsin.
One positive note however is that, economically, PrideFest continues to show expansive improvement in its profitability... but as any good business man or woman will tell you profitability means "absolutely nothing" if you don't appear have the public perception to back it up.
One thing for certain is that I believe in the power of PrideFest. I believe that the people who support the leadership of PrideFest are genuine in their dedicated commitment to its mission. And I believe that PrideFest has the power to shift its focus back to the basics which became the foundation by which the cornerstone we see today stands before us.
But that foundation is cracked by the wait of inactivity in the face of a continuous call for change from amidst the state of the status quoe
Here are my recommendations which, if implemented, would, in my opinion, strengthen the Festival for the future to come. A future that can be restored by repairing the structural flaws that seem to destabilise the historic structure that stands for justice, symbolic of the struggle that led the way in the Midwest, for people everywhere to experience equality, and embrace in the Community which has come to demonstrate diversity in the midst of the divisions we see throughout the modern world.
We as a people oppressed by opposition need to call ourselves to act in the following ways and hold PrideFest accountable to the culture for whom it continues to serve as Ambassador!
Let us begin by promoting change through the following steps:
1. Set term limitations on all PrideFest Committee leadership positions. These terms should be staggered so that inexperience does not cause additional problems but instead allows for the youth and inexperience of the idea fresca to flow freely and without fail.
2. Return to a Direct Democratic representation and resolve to begin to create more opportunities to advance the ideals that are enshrined in the minds of the masses. People should be given the opportunity to elect those wishing to serve on the PrideFest Committee.
3. Power should not rest solely in the people blessed by our Holy Mother Earth with financial prosperity but should include and encompass the values and principles of people less prosperous as much as it appears to reside in the realm of those who have the most to lose by letting go of the iron rule currently held by such a select nobility.
4. Honour all of the Sacred Traditions of the Eco - Reverent spirituality's and provide full accessibility by way of equal representation to the ministries of the shaman and women who inspire by allowing them to serve on the Ecumenical Committee with valor and distention.
5. Reflect upon what it means to live in these United States and honor those, in our community, who have dedicated their careers and, in many cases, sacrificed their lives to protect and serve the Republic within which we now have the privilege to come together and stand as one body assembled in witness to our identity .
6. Put into action a full fledged commitment to recycle and end the support of environmental ignorance. Discontinue the use of plastic beverage cups in favour of a more acceptable renewable solution, such as recycled paper. Generate additional revenue by creating a fundraising drive focused on the collection of aluminium cans throughout the year. Offer every environmentally conscious consumer, willing to participate in the project, a reusable beverage container to use during the Festival.
Follow these above mandates and it is my firm belief that the aspirations of change will happen and, as they do, the trust which appears to have been so often eroded by our historic discrepancies will weave its way into the rainbow fabric that brings to light a brighter future for the tapestry of tomorrow.
After all, it was the late Helena Petrova Blavatsky who said, " To act and act wisely when the time for action comes, to wait and wait patiently when it is time for repose, put man in accord with the rising and falling tides (of affairs), so that with nature and law at his back, and truth and beneficence as his beacon light, he may accomplish wonders. Ignorance of this law results in periods of unreasoning enthusiasm on the one hand, and depression on the other. Man thus becomes the victim of the tides when he should be their Master."
END
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