Editor’s note: This letter was submitted prior to the events that resulted in the school’s lockdown.

When will the pain stop? When do human rights override the constant jockeying for position in the race for greedy power and elitist privilege? When will people say, “what happens to you will also happen to those I love and want to protect?” When will people say, “everyone is valuable to our community?”

When will we put community above the race for greedy power and elitist privilege?

When will service return as more important than office?

I hope it is soon because I want the pain on Lopez to stop. Some say pain makes us stronger. That is only true for some.

For some it means death; the death of spirit, heart and mind. For a child it can mean the death of their future dreams because they lose their sense of personal power. And the question is always, “why do they want to break the human spirit? What is their agenda?”

Please stop the pain by stopping the greedy and the destructively powerful, by stopping those who think they are the privileged elite outside of the law and outside of what most would consider healthy and right action.

We’ve recently had a good example. So, do it at the voting booths. Be it at the community forums. Do it with your voice, your pen and your dollars. Unify; that is real community. Are the greedy power-hungry people Lopez or are we Lopez? (or San Juan Islands).

We’ve heard some already using their voices and unifying. Turn your fear into action. Make the change.

Proudly, I write of the people who spoke up at the recent public meeting. They did it with civility and clarity.

Nonviolently, the positive intention for change was spoken, even demanded. Keep the momentum going.

It is important to maintain the fabric of what has been gained.

You are — we are — the people who can stop the pain. We just need to do it.

Brenda M. Asterino

Lopez Island