The past week or so I've been struggling to understand the reason for the
strong opinions against a women's support group as a subbranch of code4lib
or as an external entity. One argument is the reverse discrimination
argument.  I'm not sure how many have actually been making this argument
but it has definitely been made by some. I have little sympathy for this
argument. Perhaps it makes logical sense when the situation is looked at in
a very narrow perspective, but in the larger view which takes account of
social context and history, it loses validity. And I don't think that
reverse discrimination is the true concern of most of those that have
voiced opinions against a sub-community for women (at least I hope not).

Others have mentioned they fear that a subgroup will only decrease the
diversity within code4lib by pulling women away from it and into the new
group.  This was my initial concern as well, but when I look at other kinds
of women in tech groups I realize that they don't decrease women's
participation in mainstream groups. In fact they help boost women's
profiles and skill sets, thus increasing their likelihood of participating
in mainstream groups.

I may be way off base here, but I think there is also something else going
on besides those first two concerns. I think there is also a collective
fear of shame and failure.  I think many of the white males in this
community truly are sensitive to issues of equality and they want to show
their support by making code4lib a place known for supporting diversity and
equality. When a group which feels treated as less than equals creates a
support group for themselves that creates public shame for the original
group for failing to achieve its goals of equality. What's more, the idea
of a splinter group came so soon on the heels of the original thread about
the anti-harassment policy. The policy suggestion received a very large and
very immediate showing of support from the community. So splintering now
just as the community is showing what it can do to support diversity and
equality is particularly frustrating.

I can sympathize with those feelings.  But perhaps the support shown last
week was simply too little too late. Especially considering that there are
those still  pressing the first argument mentioned and making the situation
uncomfortable. And since I am not a member of the group that has been
discriminated against I don't think I or anyone else not in that group
should try to dissuade them from doing what is in their best interest.

Joshua Gomez
Digital Library Programmer Analyst
George Washington University Libraries
2130 H St, NW Washington, DC 20052
(202) 994-8267



On Fri, Dec 7, 2012 at 3:46 PM, Karen Coyle <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> I'm all for people creating new social structures to move themselves
> forward doing it however they see fit. The internet is a big place, and
> there's room for more. In this case, though, I hope it will be an "and"
> operation, not an exclusive "or". I would be happy to hear that a new group
> formed and that it's going well. I would be disappointed if people in that
> group ended up moving away from this one big group. It happens, and I'd get
> over it, sure, but it'd still be disappointing. We gain something by
> gathering together like we have here. It's not exclusive, nor should it be.
> But code4lib has added so much to me and my work that I know how much I
> stand to lose if we do not also keep working to stick together, however
> difficult that can be sometimes. Respectfully yours, -Dan
>
> The way to make that happen is to make the larger group welcoming, fair,
> non-hostile. I've seen some real hostility around this idea of creating a
> place for women -- not just people thinking it might not be as good as
> being a single group, but real hostility. I suspect there was less
> hostility about setting up a Python group, or about setting up local
> groups. Removing the "difficulty" is the best way to keep everyone
> together. I definitely do not feel, today, like I'm welcomed, mainly
> because of the strength of the arguments against an idea that came from
> women. And remember, there wasn't a felt need to create an anti-harassment
> policy against Pythoners. These are not analogous situations.
>
> kc
>
>
>
>
> --
> Karen Coyle
> [log in to unmask] http://kcoyle.net
> ph: 1-510-540-7596
> m: 1-510-435-8234
> skype: kcoylenet
>