I took a break from the computer today to go birding, so I’m just seeing this
post this evening.
Nathaniel, your comments about me are flattering. I won’t rehash the post you
referred to.
I just want to be clear on your last comment: Teresa Hertzel is a friend to me.
She has supported me at times when I was on the receiving end of testy
comments on OBOL. She has a tough job. She does it very well, under sometimes
trying circumstances. I respect her and want to support her.
I have pledged to honor her definition of “political” within the OBOL list,
even though I consider the topic of how we Oregon birders, OBA, and OBOL engage
BIIPOC people to be a topic that should be faced openly and seriously. Teresa
has also said she believes the topic is urgent. We’re just searching for a
venue.
Gosh, we’ve had so much difficulty just finding a place to talk, before we even
said anything.
Tanks again, Teresa,
Paul Sullivan
From: nw105@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:nw105@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] ;
Sent: Thursday, August 13, 2020 9:32 AM
To: teresa.hertzel@xxxxxxxxx; paultsullivan@xxxxxxxxxxxx; OBOL
<obol@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Circumstances of Birding in Oregon
Teresa moderates the OBOL list. Teresa gets to make the final call.
Paul Sullivan is one of the most important long-time birders in Oregon. Paul's
contributions to Oregon birding are so broad, deep and long-standing as to be
the sun to a sun dial on which Teresa's contributions are a moving shadow.
Paul did not write about "racism in the deep south," he wrote about the
circumstances, potential difficulties and even dangers of birding in Yamhill
County. As an Oregon birder, Paul's subject seems a hell of a lot more
relevant than changes to the popular name of a bird not seen north of the
Yucatan.
In my not particularly humble opinion, I would rather read communications from
Paul's wisdom and heart than from Teresa's snark.
Nathaniel Wander
Portland
