<div dir="ltr"><div><div><div>I agree with Bill here with the following additional observations/thoughts.<br><br></div>1- I expect it is very hard to moderate these things. Finding where to draw the line is difficult. Perhaps some guidelines would be helpful. Maybe something like LibrePlanet's "Safe Space Policy" adjusted for online discussions? <a href="https://libreplanet.org/2016/safe-space-policy/" target="_blank">https://libreplanet.org/2016/safe-space-policy/</a><br><br></div><div>2- It would be nice to be mindful of sensitive issues and words, while avoiding the public shaming of people who make mistakes. There are shades of grey here.<br></div><div><br></div>3- What's the positive in this? We can look for ways to be more inclusive and welcoming. Ideas are welcome.<br><br></div>Will<br>
<br><div class="gmail_quote">On Wed, Mar 16, 2016 at 1:17 PM, Bill Ricker <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:bill.n1vux@gmail.com" target="_blank">bill.n1vux@gmail.com</a>></span> wrote:<br><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex"><div dir="ltr"><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:georgia,serif">To BLU Officers - <br><br>I am concerned ...<br><br></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:georgia,serif">1. We should have intervened to request a Subject Change (so as to disentangle the tech topic with politico-linguistic discussion)<br></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:georgia,serif"><br>2. We should have intervened to request/assure civility.<br></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:georgia,serif"><br>3. Ned and Gordon are right, Jim-Crow era language like "Cotton Pickin'" has no place in polite society in this century, and we don't get a democratic vote on whether someone is or should be offended. <br>Normally i wouldn't link the thieves at About.com but they have perfect reference<br><a href="http://racerelations.about.com/od/diversitymatters/a/Five-Terms-You-Might-Not-Know-Are-Considered-Racist.htm" target="_blank">http://racerelations.about.com/od/diversitymatters/a/Five-Terms-You-Might-Not-Know-Are-Considered-Racist.htm</a> (not finding where they stole it quickly)<br></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:georgia,serif">Urban Dict (not known for Political Correctness!) agrees:<br><a href="http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Cotton+Pickin&defid=6916831" target="_blank">http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Cotton+Pickin&defid=6916831</a> <br><br></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:georgia,serif">4. Decrying 'Political Correctness' (or 'language lawyers') makes our mailing list and by
implication our meetings a less-safe space for anyone not protected by
White-CIS-Het-Male conformity. <br><br>5. As always, the ironically named MadDog is the voice of reason.<br></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:georgia,serif"><br>6. We've lost at least two valued list members and unknown how many others will be repelled by this incivility and un-welcoming-ness. <br></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:georgia,serif"><br>7. Please see <a href="http://tldp.org/HOWTO/Encourage-Women-Linux-HOWTO/" target="_blank">http://tldp.org/HOWTO/Encourage-Women-Linux-HOWTO/</a> <br></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:georgia,serif"> especially but hardly exclusively page 4 "But I don't do that!" <br> (all of which applies equally to making underrepresented/under-empowered ethnic/race groupings feel safe and welcome too.)<span><font color="#888888"><br></font></span></div><span><font color="#888888"><br><br>-- <br><div><div dir="ltr">Bill Ricker<br><a href="mailto:bill.n1vux@gmail.com" target="_blank">bill.n1vux@gmail.com</a><div><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/n1vux" target="_blank">https://www.linkedin.com/in/n1vux</a> <br></div></div></div>
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