As a former board member of Netsap (Network of South Asian Professionals), I never envisioned after leaving the board that I would be held accountable for its ways, at least certainly not for the part I did not handle nor for the larger organization at hand. Particurlarly I have been the source of attack by what I term as "Netsap haters", persons with complete intolerance towards Netsap. This persons despise the organization for a multitude of reasons driven either through some experience or belief in stories passed their way. I feel as though I have been part of the Bush administration, being held accountable for the economic downfall in this country, much in the same way as I have been held accountable for the actions of Netsap. In fact, I am now seeking refuge in an undisclosed location.
One then wonders, what has driven these folks to complete intolerance for the group. These persons seem to feel a sort of injustice has befallen them. One person who has been completely antagonistic towards the group has accused Netsap of being anti-Muslim. When I asked the person if she had ever been to a Netsap event, she said "no" but that this was the consensus in the community. Though I explained that Netsap was impartial to religion, it was like adding fuel to a fire. "No, no, Netsap is Hindu-centric" was the basic message. When I tried to become a volunteer for another group, a member of that group said I should have remained with Netsap where I would be more comfortable as a person born here rather than be with those from India. As like life in Orwell's "1984", my fate is sealed forever, never shall I stray apart from the Netsap branding.
I did not realize putting plays on with Netsap would be viewed negatively. But it seems it doesn't matter what I did, just simply that I was part of the organization, even a board member (yikes!). Should I then be accountable for what was being criticized about Netsap, which had nothing to do with my theatrical events? I was not even a member of the Executive Board, the core group making major decisions, but I should be accountable based on outside public view? Perhaps I felt responsible in trying to change the image of Netsap of one from purely a social organization to that of an organization defined by its multitude of pillars. In fact, this was a major reason that I was brought into the organization in the first place, and now I was being criticized for a tarnished image it has tried to shatter??
Another part of the angle comes from people thinking that just because you were part of Netsap or are part of Netsap that you are secretly judging them, while, I found just the opposite. I thought the outside world would be so accepting but have found fear, hostility, and misconceptions. Where is a burned out, retired Netsap board member to go? Where can one find refuge from the haters and skeptics alike? The answers to these questions remains in the aforementioned undisclosed location. Yes, the former Bush pundits and I can find solace and refuge in this place, away from public opinion, ready to scorch us alive, for knowledge that we were caught up in something we could not change or mastermind, only to be judged as a whole, Meanwhile, I'll try to stay on the other side of the island from them.
