Confronting MV’s New Toxic Wave

11/23/2023

We are just SO SURE all you equity minded folks out there are acting appropriately, during this, the celebration of the colonization of Native Americans in North America.

Just try to walk that stuff back a little, eh?

How about some braised bison with polenta instead of turkey and green beans?

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/blogs/national-museum-american-indian/2020/11/23/native-chefs-thanksgiving-recipes/

11/19/2023

Things got a little heated there for a moment, didn’t they? We are trying to shine a light on toxic happenings here in MV, and, well, we guess that upsets folks some. As Shakespeare once wrote,

“The lady doth protest too much, methinks.”

ANYWAY now that the dust (and my damn legal bill, thanks for that, but I guess that’s the price one must pay to speak one’s own opinions these days) has settled, let’s shift gears to some happy stuff.

What’s YOUR favorite place?

https://www.facebook.com/100064537456550/posts/751432580351317/?mibextid=rS40aB7S9Ucbxw6v

Where is your happy place in Washington? 🏔⛅🌄❄

📸 - Amber Braxton Photography

11/17/2023

Here’s a PSA about free speech. The legal system is basically a weapon. You don’t point it at someone unless you mean to ruin their lives. Washington has recognized this in the last couple of years, and passed some updates to the laws that specifically protect people threatened with lawsuits for nothing more than speaking their opinions, actual facts, and their own lived experiences.

One of our favorite law firms posted a great article on the updates to the laws in Washington. Enjoy, and good night! This admin is not currently in most of y’all’s time zone, so I’m going to take advantage of the remaining daylight and take a walk. In my opinion, only bullies threaten “but my lawyer” when the don’t like someone else’s opinion.

But what do I know, I just live here and I definitely did NOT sleep at a Holiday Inn last night. Because - my opinion - I prefer Hyatt!

Effective July 25, 2021, the state of Washington has a new anti-SLAPP statute—replacing the version that the Washington Supreme Court declared invalid

11/17/2023

Traveling for Thanksgiving?

The holiday season, while festive, can amp up stress levels. Unfortunately, this heightened stress often spills over into online spaces, making people more susceptible to negativity. Let's strive for empathy and kindness, recognizing that everyone might be carrying a heavier load during this time.

Traveling during Thanksgiving always seems to be hectic for many of Americans, and this year seems to be no different.

11/16/2023

PSA to our followers / frequent flyers - let's be mindful of our language. Referring to someone as "unhinged" or a "lunatic" can perpetuate ableism by stigmatizing mental health. I’m including a link on ableist language and why that’s never ok, regardless of how angry you are. Let's choose words that promote understanding, rather than language that perpetuates abelist and / or harmful tropes. It’s important to at least TRY on this one, and take the correction when given.

To put it a different way, you are NOT an ally to anyone if you are comfortable using that kind of language.

More than that - if you dub YOURSELF an ally, like you put it in your profile pic? You’re not, and you’re not listening at all.

https://www.aclu-mo.org/en/campaigns/raise-your-voice

https://www.verywellmind.com/types-of-ableist-language-and-what-to-say-instead-5201561

Unknowingly, most of us say many ableist things regularly. Here's a guide to help you be aware of those words and what you can say instead.

11/15/2023

We got some objections to our funny share of toxic mushrooms, so maybe the fans will like this one better.

If nothing else, watching the analytics on this page has been fascinating.

The thing is, we have no agenda. We made a page where we could post things we see around the MV community that 1) we think are toxic or 2) get close enough we’d like to see those posts put up publicly and given a space where people can comment.

Not claiming perfection or even anything approaching it here. We’ll leave that to MV’s self righteous. But it’s sure interesting when one anonymous page gets a challenge from another anonymous page.

11/12/2023

Well, for some reason we can’t reply to a comment on one of our posts, so we are making a new post!!

Rae Freeland asked us why we haven’t said anything about the co**ie page. Well, give us some time y’all, this is a brand new page! We have a lot to address, clearly.

If you want our stance on the Co**ie Page - it’s 💩, we aren’t it it because it’s 💩, and it’s one of the most toxic groups we have ever had the (dis) pleasure of observing.

Not sure, Rae, if you wanted anything more specific than that. Happy to elaborate. But yeah that’s a steaming pile and so we don’t give it much thought, honestly.

11/11/2023

Want to share some more information that has come to light regarding a community member’s assertion that “Jewish Voices for Peace” is an a-ok organization to endorse publicly, on a page discussing school board candidates.

SJP and JVFP have both been suspended from the campus of Columbia University for engaging in threatening behaviors that violate university policy.

These groups, known for chanting “from the river to the sea” (which means eradicate Jewish people and leave only Arabs living there, per the original chant in Arabic) and engaging in other similarly threatening behavior, do not exemplify anything we want to see here in Maple Valley.

We want ALL students to feel welcome!!

https://www.timesofisrael.com/columbia-university-suspends-jewish-voice-for-peace-students-for-justice-in-palestine/amp/

Officials cited an event Thursday afternoon involving "threatening rhetoric and intimidation."

11/10/2023

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🫶 You Belong Here 🫶

Help us spread kindness this week throughout Maple Valley with this week's message: You Belong Here.

This is our fourth annual Kindness Connects Maple Valley campaign and we hope you join in and spread cheer to those you know and those you don't know that well.

For more information on the campaign, including where to pick up cards and other swag, click here: https://www.maplevalleywa.gov/what-s-happening/kindness-connects-maple-valley

11/10/2023

The opposite of toxic! MV Food Bank needs more pies. Drop one or three by if you can.

🥧WE NEED 100 PIES BY FRIDAY!🥧

We just did our Thanksgiving count this weekend, and we are short by over 100 pies! Can you help us feed our neighbors this Thanksgiving by bringing in a medium sized store bought pie? Pumpkin or apple are preferred, but any flavor will do! We will be open to collect them at the food bank between 9AM and 4PM M-Th.

If you can't make it in, consider donating so that we can purchase pies! Donate to our general fund by visiting https://maplevalleyfoodbank.org/donate/

11/09/2023

📢 Important Information for Washington State Residents! 🗳️

Did you know that in Washington state, the names of individuals who voted in an election are considered public records and are available online? It's part of the state's commitment to transparency in the electoral process.

Your vote is your voice, and it's vital to exercise your right to vote. However, it's equally important to be aware that your voting history is accessible to the public.

To find out more about this and other election-related details, visit the official website of the Washington Secretary of State or your local county's elections office.

Remember, your vote matters, and so does your privacy. Make informed choices and participate in the democratic process! 🗳️🇺🇸

But don’t take my word for it. Try it yourself! https://www.sos.wa.gov/washington-voter-registration-database-extract