[Linux-aus] An Open Letter to the Open Source Community

[Elspeth Thorne]

On 23/05/07, Bret Busby <bret at busby.net> wrote:
> On Wed, 23 May 2007, Avi Miller wrote:
>
> > Date: Wed, 23 May 2007 10:03:28 +1000
> > From: Avi Miller <avi.miller at squiz.net>
> > To: Bret Busby <bret at busby.net>
> > Cc: Linux Australia Mailing List <linux-aus at lists.linux.org.au>
> > Subject: Re: [Linux-aus] An Open Letter to the Open Source Community
> >
> >
> > On 23/05/2007, at 1:41 AM, Bret Busby wrote:
> >
> >> Perhpas it may have been helpful to have included a description, or some
> >> other indication, of the "behaviours" of which you complain.
> >
> > I think Melissa did quite succinctly in her original email:
> >
> > "As a Woman and an Open Source contributor, I implore you. Do not make
> > jokes about us, just because we are female. Do not belittle, stereotype
> > or patronise us, based on our gender. Do not assume that we are using
> > Open Source so that you can ask us questions of private nature, or out
> > on a date. Most importantly, do not stand by and watch as other people
> > do these things."
> >
> > And I agree with Paul that Melissa's original email serves to remind us all
> > that we could probably all be a little bit (ok, maybe a lot) nicer to each
> > other. It doesn't take much work, just awareness and sensitivity.
> >
> > Thanks,
> > Avi
> >
> >
>
> The above basically just says "Don't give us a hard time because we are
> female".
>
> If that is all there is to it, then there doesn't seem to be any
> significant problem, that is specific to Linux, to open source, or to
> ccomputing, and, if the "problem" is not limited to Linux or the Linux
> community, then is is not appropriate for this list, unless
> misogynistic actions have been taken, or misogynistic comments have
> been made, on this list.

The problem is not limited to the linux community, but it is certainly
prevalent within it. I am the sole and only regular/frequent female
attendee of my local LUG; I have been the target of creepy stalker
behaviours there. I have fortunately completed an engineering degree,
and developed a degree of thick skin; otherwise, there is little
chance I would have hung around beyond my first one or two meetings.

>
> Have either of those occurred? I have not seen any references to any
> incidents having occurred.
>
> I am not aware of action having been taken on this list, or comments
> having been made, to sexually harass any females, or to belittle
> females.
>
> Problems with the above message are highlighted with parts like the
> "don't ask us out on a date, if we use open source".
>
> The message above seems to say "If we are females in computing, don't
> treat us as humans - don't ask us out on dates, don't joke with us,
> don't talk to us".

Talk to us as if we were people, irrespective of our gender. No, don't
ask me on a date - I'm married, and before that, I wasn't in Linux for
the romance. Do you ask random guys about their private lives? Or out
on dates? I would imagine not - yet, the experience of many women, on
and offline, in the linux community is precisely this. Yes, tell me
jokes - but if you very much don't mind, not 'women are dumb sex
objects har har' jokes. I don't come out with 'men are such idiots,
har har' jokes all the time, either.

>
> It also sounds like "don't smile at any female involved with Linux, as
> it is clearly indicating making a "sexual move" on the female".
>

Sexual moves like standing so close I can barely breathe? Following me
around for hours, except when I'm in the bathroom? Lacing every
statement to me with deliberate (and poorly done) innuendo? Smiling is
fine. Asking me about my computer is fine. Asking me about the asimov
I brought along is fine. Being friendly is fine and enthusiastic about
your projects is fine. Asking me for my phone number when I've only
just met you? Most likely, not fine. Creepy and stalker I had enough
of *before* I joined the linux community, and I'd very much appreciate
a ceasefire at my local LUG, thanks.

> Next, we will be getting "don't hire a computer person, unless the
> person is female, until at least 35% of all computing people are
> female".
>
> ALL people should be treated equally with respect.

Precisely the point. Many members of the Linux community regrettably
treat women like women first, and people second.

>
> This is starting to sound like the proverbial "All animals are equal,
> and some are more equal than others".
>
> If the list is going to become a feminist "all men are evil" forum,
> without any substance, then it has digressed from its purpose, and has
> become the tool of an unrepresentative part of the Linux community in
> Australia.

Men are not evil - but the ones who exhibit obsessive interest towards
a lone woman in a room are wholly unpleasant.

> --
> Bret Busby
> Armadale
> West Australia

Elspeth Thorne.