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

[Richard Neal]

Before I let loose on this subject let me explain my personal position.

Everyone has the right to be treated with respect and courtesy and deserves 
not to be judged or have inferred labels or beliefs forced upon them by 
anyone be they male, female or other.

I can see were your coming from but as a proud "male" who is also proud to "be 
male" with all the qualms and limitations that the tag comes with I cant help 
but feel slighted by your diatribe on this list.

For starters "both sex's" can be sexist, and just because your "female" 
doesn't mean your the only one to suffer from this issue.

I also find it insulting how you define "normal" almost like your trying to 
infer all males are knuckle dragging apes, your last paragraph were you use a 
sexist statistic as a bludgeon is a classic.

A good opposing example is males make up 0.5% of knitting clubs are all males 
being locked out ? or could is it because  males due to gender or cultural 
differences don't really have much interest in knitting ?

If you have issues with individuals then talk to them and learn communicate 
don't jump onto a mailing list and try and infere some huge male conspiracy 
while at the same time painting all with the same brush.

So as a male, I'm sorry if any members either male or female have insulted you 
but please refrain from inferring we agree or support this in any way.

PS Also get thicker skin, I was the only male in an all female work place for 
14 years and sexist remarks were common, I never took them personally 

Richard Neal

"Proud to be male".



On Tue, 22 May 2007 04:25:45 pm Melissa Draper wrote:
> Dear users, developers and other contributors of Open Source,
>
> I write this letter as a contributor of Ubuntu, and as a member of the
> Ubuntu Women project.
>
> As a Woman and an Open Source contributor, I see a number of behaviours
> within the Open Source community that are quite counterproductive to the
> community. Many of these behaviours often go unnoticed, and this is a
> shame.
>
> These counterproductive behaviours of which I write, may seem
> common-place to many people, and they may even be humorous to some.
> However these behaviours, to many women, are discriminatory, offensive
> and discouraging. Considering women represent approximately 50% of
> global population, which is approximately 3.35 billion people, these
> behaviours are not behaviours that a community that thrives on growth,
> should be allowing or encouraging. We should not be discouraging 50% of
> our potential users and contributors.
>
> Currently, according to FLOSSpols, in 2006, the average female
> representation in Open Source is 1.5%. This is compared to 28% female
> representation in the proprietary software industry. You can read the
> FLOSSpols report at
> http://www.flosspols.org/deliverables/FLOSSPOLS-D16-Gender_Integrated_Repor
>t_of_Findings.pdf
>
> You see, this is not merely a rant, there are real reasons for this
> letter. We are seriously lagging behind proprietary software, and many
> other industries, in the area of gender equality. We can do much better
> than that!
>
> There are a number of ways to curb the discouraging behaviours and all
> it takes is vigilance. One must be vigilant in their communications, and
> discourage or admonish bad behaviour. Unfortunately, there is no single
> demographic guilty of these behaviours, as they are not solely
> perpetrated by Men. Yes, you heard me correctly - some women are guilty
> also! This makes the task of vigilance ever so much harder, but for the
> sake of potentially doubling our community, it is well worth it!
>
> 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.
>
> This is a big thing I am asking of you, I know. But it is not only for
> me that I ask. It is for the 3 and a half billion mothers, daughters,
> sisters and friends that I share this earth with - that WE share this
> earth with. This is for everyone.
>
> This is for Open Source.
>
> I sincerely Thank You for reading this letter, and encourage you to pass
> it on.
>
> Melissa Draper
> Open Source advocate, and Ubuntu Member
>
> -----
>
> If you wish to support this letter, you can do so by responding on this
> list, or on my blog (http://www.geekosophical.net/?p=119). Additionally
> you can support it by digging the blog post
> (http://digg.com/linux_unix/An_Open_Letter_to_the_Open_Source_Community)
> or displaying a generic 'Say NO! to discriminiation' button
> (http://www.geekosophical.net/wp-content/uploads/2007/05/sayno.png) on
> your own websites or in signatures.
>
> Additionally, the letter may be republished, in part orin it's entirety.
> In republishing you may also replace my name and affiliations with your
> own.
>
> Thanks in advance.