Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1525111
6 SAG-AFTRA | Summer 2024 | sagaftra.org A Letter from the President "We MUST present ourselves to the industry and the world at large as a massive movement empowered by solidarity." Dear Member, I t's been one year since our union went on strike against the powerful forces of the AMPTP, but we knew something that our opposition didn't: that we had had enough! Enough of all the escalating takeover of streaming with deescalating compensation. Enough of the devaluing of our gifts as performers and the rampant unconscionable stealing of our likeness with complete disregard for consent or compensation. Enough of the out-of-control casting self-tape demands that disrespected our craft as artists. Enough of bumps on minimums that never came close to our cost-of-living increases. Enough of the audacity of them to think that we are in any way, shape or form going to be treated like gig workers. And the biggest surprise for them was that ENOUGH WAS ENOUGH for us! What we showed our opposition was that we will NOT be trampled upon. And what we showed ourselves was just how powerful we are when we come together as one. Nothing is more important than unity and solidarity for our continued success as a Force of Labor. We must be one mind, one beating heart and one union of performers when we take it outside. Oh sure, we can duke it out within the safety of our union's walls, but once a vote determines our position, we seal the deal and EVERYONE falls in line. We MUST present ourselves to the industry and the world at large as a massive movement empowered by solidarity. The WHOLE of our member body is the strength of our union. United we stand. As I observe our nation doing the opposite of that, continuously polarized and divided BY DESIGN, I am realizing we are living through the breaking down of an empire, and we're witnessing what happens when kings fall. 'Tis a pitfall we humans fall into time and time again as history repeats itself. To change behavior, one must first accept there is a problem, and that requires self-awareness. We remain caught in a spiderweb of delusion with very little recognition of our flaws and weakness as a species. That disconnect makes us a danger to the planet and all life, including ourselves. Ego has created the monster that we have become, and ego prevents us from accepting our bads with honesty, vulnerability and the purity of remorse. There are many fools "out there," but within the halls of our great union we must not be foolish, for "out there" exemplifies what NOT to do. Let us look in the mirror and see ourselves as champions over mediocrity, divisiveness and dishonor. Today, one year after the strike, we stand tall upon the shoulders of VICTORY! Do not fall victim to the common pitfalls that shall be the ruin "out there." We can have the potential for greatness if we remain a tight-knit, self-aware group of performers who can recognize the journey is self-refinement and our goals — towards which we must strive — should be focused on empathy, wisdom and compassion. Those values alone will give us strength in here and also "out there." And anything that, at its core, stems from ego, fear, anger and ignorance becomes the cracks that eventually break the dream. Two Buddhist wisdom takeaways: • You have two ears and one mouth, so listen twice as much as you speak. • To be loved by someone deeply is to gain strength, but to love someone deeply is to gain courage. Walk out with heart over head, people, for that is The Way. Fran F R A N D R E S C H E R