Hi all,
I decided to contribute to this thread, however not in order to elaborate
on my personal opinion on this specific case. This would be inappropriate,
as we do not have sufficient information about it and also out of respect
for the people involved.
Instead, I want to comment, because I feel strongly about the consequences
this discussion may have - not only on the perception of the friendly space
policy and its effectiveness, but also on people who may need to refer to
the policy in the future.
This past Wikimania was very much about the importance of representing all
people in our movement and about finding ways for them to have a voice, to
be heard – and to feel safe to contribute and participate.
One reliable way to silence people when they experience harassment as well
as keeping others from speaking out, is to have them experience how other,
non-involved people, would immediately have an opinion on what happened and
judge the case or the person in question. This is what has happened here.
It is furthermore, absolutely out of proportion to weigh ones personal
irritation about some members being potentially more aware and sensitive of
this topic, against a context in which harassment and violence is not the
exception, but everyday reality.
Policies and measures like codes of conduct etc. exist for a reason.
Invisible to many, harassment does happen, it happens a lot, it happens
also amongst communities with great, humanitarian goals. In the world most
of us live in, offensive or invasive behavior has no tangible consequences
for those who commit it, but severe effects on those who experience it.
According to the Fundamental Rights Agency, 75% of women in qualified
professions or top management jobs have been sexually harassed[1]. UN Women
has confirmed that there is a big problem with underreporting when it comes
to these cases.
Efforts like the friendly space policies aim to contribute to establish a
societal climate where people feel safe and that makes all people aware,
that inappropriate behavior has consequences.
Publicly judging and ridiculing efforts to find a process, suitable to make
all people feel safe, heard, and, if necessary, taken seriously at events,
can set back efforts of creating such a process. Measures like friendly
space policies are not self-evident, they are an hard fought for
achievement. Seeing, how fast those efforts are being called into question,
is quite disheartening and worries me a lot.
I am very grateful to work for and with a movement that has agreed on
trying to make all people feel welcome and respected. I hope that we will
keep fostering this together.
best
Lilli
------------------------------
<#_ftnref1>[1] http://www.equineteurope.org/IMG/pdf/fra_9dec2014.pdf
--
Lilli Iliev
Projektmanagerin Politik
project manager public policy
Wikimedia Deutschland e.V. | Tempelhofer Ufer 23-24 | 10963 Berlin
Tel. (030) 219 158 26-0
http://wikimedia.de
Stellen Sie sich eine Welt vor, in der jeder Mensch an der Menge allen
Wissens frei teilhaben kann. Helfen Sie uns dabei!
http://spenden.wikimedia.de/
Wikimedia Deutschland - Gesellschaft zur Förderung Freien Wissens e.V.
Eingetragen im Vereinsregister des Amtsgerichts Berlin-Charlottenburg unter
der Nummer 23855 B. Als gemeinnützig anerkannt durch das Finanzamt für
Körperschaften I Berlin, Steuernummer 27/029/42207
Since I didn't went to wikimania and other people were already making the
points I wanted to make I tried to stay out of the conversation, but now I
need to answer something.
***Men (add well-educated, straight, able-bodied, wealthy if you wish) from
whatever ethnic group is most prominent in the country they live in have a
different experience of life to everyone else.
Harassment, bullying and various other forms of discrimination are much
more frequent , even normal, for women, people from ethnic minorities, LGBT
people, and others who don't match that description.***
First of all, let's not forget that the incident that started all of this
happened to a white straight man from Europe, and so far the only people
who were "disqualified" from the conversation for their identity (and trus
suffered harassment for something they CAN'T Change) were white males. So
if we are going to town identity politics into this, I would say with the
basis of this conversation that they are MORE likely to suffer
discrimination not less.
Second, no. Every man (or woman) is an island. Each experience is
different. Telling someone that all white people thinks the same is like
saying <insert racist stereotype here> (I can give exemples but if I do
this thread will devolve into a discussion of the stereotype and we done
want that).
The best thing that come up of the suffragete and civil rights movements
are that we should listen to the ideas not the person who has them, and we
should uphold to that if equality is what we want.
PS. : Because I know people will say stuff about if, let's preempt all of
it: for those who don't know, I'm Latina and a woman, but that SHOULDN'T be
the reason why you listen to me.
On Jul 30, 2018 3:13 PM, "Chris Keating" <chriskeatingwiki(a)gmail.com> wrote:
Probably the best thing that can happen to this thread now is that it
dies off, but I did just want to respond to this point by Pine,
because it's really important:
> 1. How, exactly, are white males unqualified to discuss the Friendly
Space Policy because of their/our identity as white males?
Men (add well-educated, straight, able-bodied, wealthy if you wish)
from whatever ethnic group is most prominent in the country they live
in have a different experience of life to everyone else.
Harassment, bullying and various other forms of discrimination are
much more frequent , even normal, for women, people from ethnic
minorities, LGBT people, and others who don't match that description.
So a conversation mainly conducted by white men about something like a
Friendly Space Policy is mainly being conducted by people who do not
experience the issue that the Friendly Space Policy is designed to
address. Or if they do experience it, it's an unusual thing that's
easy to laugh off.
Therefore this kind of conversation is much more likely to conclude
that there isn't a real problem, or the policy isn't working, or other
things are more important (e.g. being REALLY TRANSPARENT ABOUT
EVERYTHING), or whatever has happened in a particular case isn't an
issue. Which, predictably enough, is *exactly* what has happened in
this conversation.
Regards,
Chris
_______________________________________________
Wikimania-l mailing list
Wikimania-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org
https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimania-l
Though I’m not sure if it’d be right to take names here, but this is probably an opportunity to discuss about:
- if there is a need for consensus when a Wikimedia affiliate provides support to one person from another affiliate
- if an affiliate provides support if they share it on wiki for transparency or not
- Wikimania scholarship recipients generally create Learning Patterns and write reports. These are good practices in general but making it mandatory for the scholarship recipients brings out a really valuable pool of knowledge which otherwise might not be the case because of the post-Wikimania fatigue. There is a need for more clarity if non-Wikimania participants (individual/affiliate reps) who travel because of support from another affiliate should also produce the same
- If an affiliate decides to provide support, should they announce publicly (on regional mailman lists and meta/village pumps) if there is any conflict. If there was a rationale that the former used to identify certain individuals, should they share that as well?
I think discussing these above would be useful in general.
Bodhi, didn’t want to steal your thunder but I think some of the general points (above) can be discussed which in someway would be useful for all such future supports.
Subhashish
Begin forwarded message:
> From: Bodhisattwa Mandal <bodhisattwa.rgkmc(a)gmail.com>
> Date: July 27, 2018 at 12:32:20 PM GMT+5:30
> To: wikimediaindia-l <wikimediaindia-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org>
> Subject: [Wikimediaindia-l] Wikimania tour of Rahul Desmukh
> Reply-To: Wikimedia India Community list <wikimediaindia-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org>
>
> Hi,
>
> WMIN chapter president Rahul Deshmukh attended Wikimania 2018 in Cape Town without being selected for any type of scholarship. My question is why was he sent to the conference depriving other community members from India who were in the waiting list.
>
> He spoke in the informal chairpersons' meetup for few minutes. The meeting doesn't require president of the organization's presence, and already there were 2 EC member of WMIN present, who could have attended the meeting.
>
> To me, this is utter misuse of power and abuse of donation money.
>
> Thanks,
> Bodhisattwa
> _______________________________________________
> Wikimediaindia-l mailing list
> Wikimediaindia-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org
> To unsubscribe from the list / change mailing preferences visit https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimediaindia-l
Dear all,
Right now I am feeling much hurt after a conversation I just had.
What has happened?
- People say I have been talking to loud, however I do not know where that
was, but for those who complained about that: I am very sorry, not my
intention. Please be aware I have a hearing problem and I do hear myself
much less, as well as I have periodically tinnitus
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tinnitus>.
I would appreciate it very much if anyone who notices I speak to loud, to
tell me, I do not want to disturb or invasive or ...
- People have said that with some people I have been standing to close to
them or I may have touched a shoulder. I am very very sorry if that gave
anyone a bad feeling. Such is never my intention. Because of my bad hearing
I might also stand closer to people.
I am pretty sensitive myself to this as well, and I always try to respect
the personal space of others as I would love anyone at the conference to
feel well.
About two years ago I was the subject of harassment myself, resulting in
that I felt horrible for two weeks and couldn't do anything in the
movement. Having it experienced myself, I am feeling horrible that I
brought others in the situation that made them feel terrible.
It feels for me really bad with helping someone that it results in the
other having an uncomfortable feeling.
Also during the day I walked in a room during a session to hand out, on
request, something to the someone in the room, and left almost immediately.
Some hours later I heard that one of the presenters in the room got
stressed by my short presence in the room. I feel sorry if I may have
disturbed this session in some way, and hope that the presenter will not
hold a grudge. I am open for a conversation if needed.
Either way, this resulted in an official complaint on my address.
Because of these complaints, it was demanded to step down as a volunteer
organiser for this year's Wikimania.
I am very sorry that it has influence on my support of this conference, but
I will be around.
Kind regards,
Romaine
The official part of Wikimania is over, this does not prevent ourselves
from celebrating Africa's first Wikimania online, in more particular:
writing Wikipedia articles.
Africa is under represented in Wikipedia, by writing about it we both
celebrate our great conference as well as we work on solving the Africagap
With some Dutchies we started the idea of having a list of like 10-20
articles of subjects from Cape Town and surrounding area. For example:
Well-known park in Cape Town:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Company%27s_Garden
The often referred to Dassie:
https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q323847
Input needed!
Romaine
All,
A huge thanks to the Wikimedia South Africa team + the WMF logistics &
travel team + all the volunteers from around the world on the program
committee and assisting in other capacities + all of the enthusiastic
attendees - for making this a wonderful Wikimania.
We got to experience the beautiful city of Cape Town and surrounds, which
was for many attendees our first time in South Africa (or anywhere in
Africa). We met new friends and people in the movement doing amazing work
on the continent & beyond. We talked about editing the projects, about
movement strategy, about next steps. We had a fun dance party... and I know
that I, and many others, are newly inspired to work with the people I met
to improve and strengthen our projects in and about Africa and the African
diaspora.
Thanks again to the organizers (especially to Douglas Scott for hosting us
& running a week-long Wikimania and THEN leading (amazing) walking tours
for two days, to Liam Wyatt for running program logistics and getting
everything organized so that we could have a program, and to Ellie Young &
her WMF team for running things smoothly behind the scenes) -- and to
everyone who participated for making this such a great time. I encourage
everyone, whether you attended or not, to watch some talks, get inspired to
host local events and connect with the Wikimedians who presented their
projects and initiatives, and edit about South Africa!
greetings and wikilove from my last (alas) day in Capetown,
Phoebe
--
* I use this address for lists; send personal messages to phoebe.ayers <at>
gmail.com *
Hello all,
We have many lost items at the help desk that would love to find their way
back home. *The help desk will be closing at 2pm today - that is in an hour*!
If you are missing something, *PLEASE* come by to claim it as soon as
possible.
Any items not claimed by 2pm will be turned over to the hotel.
Thank you!
Irene Tait
Wikimania '18 Conference Assistant
Wikimedia Foundation
itait(a)wikimedia.org
Hello,
Hope you are all enjoying wikimania ^^ i am so far. Just a request, please
give back my the blue scarab bracelet (it is very inexpensive but i cant go
back to the south of egypt to get another) that was in a bag and in another
bag under the egypt table in the community village. I wrapped it in two
bags and put it under the table in because it is NOT up for grabs.
Please give it back. I will give you a piece of candy when you do.
Thank you.
Best,
Reem
Hi there,
The Wikimedia movement is moving towards more and more diverse events. Some
events, like regional conferences and Wikimania, are rotating and each year
different (volunteer) teams organize the events. How can we make sure that
knowledge is passed from one team to another? Should we create an
(informal) event organizers support group?
I would be glad to start the discussion to see what's possible and how can
we support each other better. Any input is welcome!
*We'll meet on Satuday, 18:00 in room Montréal. Add yourself to the list: *
https://wikimania2018.wikimedia.org/wiki/Event_organizers_meetup
Cheers
Cornelius
--
Cornelius Kibelka
Program and Engagement Coordinator (PEC)
for the Wikimedia Conference
Wikimedia Deutschland e.V. | Tempelhofer Ufer 23-24 | 10963 Berlin
Tel. (030) 219 158 26-0
http://wikimedia.de
Stellen Sie sich eine Welt vor, in der jeder Mensch an der Menge allen
Wissens frei teilhaben kann. Helfen Sie uns dabei!
http://spenden.wikimedia.de/
Wikimedia Deutschland - Gesellschaft zur Förderung Freien Wissens e. V.
Eingetragen im Vereinsregister des Amtsgerichts Berlin-Charlottenburg unter
der Nummer 23855 B. Als gemeinnützig anerkannt durch das Finanzamt für
Körperschaften I Berlin, Steuernummer 27/029/42207
Hello fellow design-interested Wikimanians,
tonight we'll have the *first design meetup*
<https://wikimania2018.wikimedia.org/wiki/Participatory_Design_Meetup> for
anyone who is interested in, or does design on their wiki, to have a space
to talk to people doing similar things (differently), exchange on
resources, ask questions etc.
*Let's finally connect and learn from each other!*
We're meeting tonight at *7pm in room London* to talk all things design and
usability.
Don't forget to sign up if you're interested!
*About the event:*
*Design happens, whether a designer is present or not.*
We want to talk about how design is handled in your community, and how we
can support each other to build a sustainable infrastructure to enable
meaningful design contributions. The software development structures have
been around for a long time and work fairly well, but there is no such
thing for design and other non-code contributions.
Let's explore the design needs of the communities and work towards creating
a space for mutual learning as well as a shared understanding of it.
Especially because everyone has their own expertise it would be beneficial
for anyone, designers, editors, developers... to learn from each other in a
sustainable way by documenting workflows, methodologies, sharing tools etc.
This all ties in with participatory design
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Participatory_design> and it would be great
to share what kinds of methods you have tried in your communities and
generally exchange on our experiences and ideas.
Best
Charlie