Re: Request for consensus to add text in the BLM statement

-1

I am afraid of our statement having a subtext that equates endorsing BLM with endorsing violence. Because otherwise why would we feel the need to add that line? This was never supposed to be a statement about all the things we support and don’t support. It’s specifically a statement of support for BLM. 

I would however be happy with adding this:
"We unequivocally stand against racism, injustice, and violence against marginalized communities.”

Marisa

> On Aug 20, 2020, at 10:47, Ralph Swick <swick@w3.org> wrote:
> 
> 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 21:55:14 UTC