The whole idea that a person would destroy a public library book is amazing and disturbing
to me. When I heard about the Reversing Vandalism project I knew I had to be involved.
I love books, I love the privilege and gift of a library, and I love being a San Franciscan. I
asked to be a part of the project and waited excitedly to get my book. I received my book,
it was like a wounded animal, sliced and hurt, I taped it together and read it from cover
to cover. I was immediately struck by the violence of the action against a book intended
to increase the lifestyle of lesbian and gay people. I wondered if the perpetrator also read
the book and then was moved to kill and maim it. I have met men like this perpetrator,
we all have. He’s always waiting. His victims are not a particular group or person, his
victims are prone merely to his twisted violent compulsions and warped sensibilities. His
need to kill and gloat and hide, never satisfied, he is universal and infinite. As in the
Reversing Vandalism project though, the human being, irregardless of sexual orientation
continues to flourish. It’s this spark that is at the heart of all art and sincere human effort,
it is the constant evolution towards greater heights, and deeper meaning. I believe this is
the great burden of the perpetrator, no matter how many graves he fills with his hatred we
always rise up, we always go on, and we do it with class and style. Thank you for allowing
me to participate in the recuperation of this wonderful book.
Book destroyed: Rural Gays and Lesbians: Building on the Strengths of Communities by
James Donald Smith & Ronald J. Mancoske; Harrington Press, New York/London; 1997
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