I suppose that it was only a matter of time before our conversation about ARSC and advocacy took a turn to personal insults and accusations. It is very unfortunate, in my opinion, but that's how these things usually go. On behalf of those who take these issues seriously and are interested in learning the opinions and views of others, please turn down the volume. Solely on the basis of the opinions Sammy has shared, no one has a right to call Sammy Jones a racist, nor to question his credentials. Sammy's opinions are not politically motivated, as far as I can see. (On the basis of knowing Sammy, I find the accusations absurd.) I disagree with him that he cannot belong to an organization that takes a stand on an issue, but I am not an expert on the ethics of journalists, nor the guidelines his employer follows. However, I found a useful compendium of ethics guidelines for journalists (https://guides.lib.uw.edu/research/commstudies/ethics) and official ethical policies of news publishers vary considerably. All of the guidelines I read prohibit direct political action by journalists, especially endorsement of candidates up for election. Some just urge caution in belonging to groups that have a political agenda. My own opinion is that ARSC has not taken a political stand. The board has issued a statement that calls attention to some of the injustices in place, presently, and in the history of the U.S., and makes a commitment to diversity and to justice for all--literally. To me, it's a moral choice. Some of those who disagree with the board's stand and statement, or who are dedicated to manipulating potential constituencies, believe that "Black Lives Matter" implies that the lives of others don't. I find that argument imbecilic. As to whether it is appropriate for ARSC to voice a commitment to justice and fighting racism, we live in strange times today, ones most of us never dreamed of experiencing. I think it's perfectly appropriate for ARSC to emphasize its recognition of the challenges faced by society today and commit to diversity and to rectifying prejudice and misjustice. As is said, "If you aren't part of the solution you're part of the problem." Finally, I note that the Society of American Archivists has issued similar, if not stronger, statements. See https://www2.archivists.org/statements/saa-council-statement-on-black-lives-and-archives. Its most recent statement begins, "*UPDATED June 11, 2020*—As noted in the Society of American Archivists’ June 2 Statement on Black Lives and Archives <https://www2.archivists.org/statements/saa-council-statement-on-black-lives-and-archives>, the vitality of American archives depends on the safety of archives workers and an explicit commitment to social responsibility, justice, and anti-racism in the work that we do and the organizations we work within." My apologies for the length of this note. I have been an ARSC member for nearly 50 years. In days past, we did somewhat deserve the reputation as an old boy's club. I am proud of where ARSC is going and that it is taking a stand. Sam Brylawski