Letter to the Editor: Put up or don’t criticize

By Sun Advocate

Editor:
For the most part, I think we can all lose sight on what makes a community go-round and be quick to criticize.
We all get invested in that “the thing” we do is the most important, whether it’s serving as a board member for the water district, raising kids, organizing bingo night, going to work, or planning the next PTA meeting. And, it is the most important.
We all put our energy into one thing or another, and have to believe that it is a significant thing. Otherwise, how could you find the motivation to do it?
I am personally invested in making the Helper Arts and Music Festival happen, but I know the same holds true for members and organizers of our local governments, community clubs and organizations, and any of our local events.
I also understand that, as community members, we each participate in different ways. When it comes to the Greek Festival, my job is to eat. When it comes to Helper City council, I can be a citizen with feedback. When it comes to the festival, I get to make decisions and organize. Serving in different roles can help give us an appreciation for what the other guy is doing.
Feedback, constructive criticism, or heaven forbid, compliments, can be the best thing for an organization, a government, or even the group that oversees the annual church bake sale. The problem is, from my standpoint, the people who usually do the most criticizing don’t serve on boards, don’t oversee activities, and don’t help implement better options than the ones they are criticizing.
The next time you have a criticism of how the other guy does it, take inventory of the ways you are giving back to the community. Most of us do it for nothing, and the few that do get paid, it might as well be nothing. By all means, give feedback and/or criticism but put it in the hands of someone that might actually be able to do something about it and be prepared that you might actually need to stand up and be counted.