Request for consensus to add text in the BLM statement

IDCG Participants,

As you know, the W3C Process allows for formal objections to a group 
decision.  A formal objection is a request to the W3C Director to 
consider when evaluating the related decision.

During the W3C Member review of the proposed W3C Statement on Black 
Lives Matter a formal objection was raised.  I have been delegated to 
try to find a consensus resolution to this formal objection on behalf
of the W3C Director.

I share with you part of the objector's statement and following that a 
change (addition) to the text of the BLM statement. The objector has 
confirmed that this would resolve the objection to their satisfaction.

Quoting from the objector's statement:

  "I believe it is important to clearly state what we _do_ and _do not_
  support as W3C organization. We support true equality, we support any
  lawful action that aims to fight injustice, but we do not condone
  violence or destruction of property. In numerous cases, the peaceful
  protests for right social cause were hijacked by radical extremists,
  and their violent actions [that clearly deviate from the established
  social norms and the rule of law] only diminish the importance of
  "Black Lives Matter" message. I do not believe that being vocal about
  the rightful cause while being silent about radical violations of
  social norms sends the right message - we all know too well that
  silence is approval. We do not tolerate any behaviors that violate
  our own social norms, we openly speak against any violations of the
  W3C Code of Conduct - I do not see why our stance on the larger
  social issue should be any different.

  "Our stated position should clearly communicate the fact that while
  we do support all marginalized and underrepresented communities, and
  we support their fight for true equality, we do not condone any
  violence or unlawful actions!"

The objector states they will withdraw their Formal Objection to the 
proposed statement if the following sentence is incorporated into 
paragraph 6:

   "As an organization, W3C believes that Black Lives Matter.
   /+We unequivocally stand against racism, injustice, and violence.+/
   We also stand in support of our Indigenous colleagues, colleagues
   of color, LGBTQI+ colleagues, and colleagues with disabilities.

I solicit your view on this change, preferably no later than 27 August.

Regards,
Ralph Swick, W3C

Received on Thursday, 20 August 2020 17:47:19 UTC