I've been reading this discussion with increasing dismay. At first, I was
encouraged by the collegiality, but now I think we are grasping for
civility and understanding. As I read the emails on this set of topics, I'm
compelled to provide another concrete example - as Karen and Deborah have
tried to accomplish quite valliantly.

I'd like for everyone to consider the concept of microaggression:
“brief and commonplace daily verbal, behavioral, or environmental
indignities, whether intentional or unintentional, that communicate
hostile, derogatory, or negative slights and insults toward people based on
race, gender and/or ability."

Wikipedia provides a good introduction for those of you who have never
heard of this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microaggression

I'm hoping that everyone will take a moment to think about whether or not
you agree with me that some of the current discussion on CODE4LIB fits this
definition. And what that means for us as a community and then to consider
how we move forward.

My plea is the same as Karen's
Listen. Ask questions if you don't understand. And have respect for the
experiences of others.





-- 
Kathryn La Barre
President ISKO C/US
Associate Professor
Graduate School of Library and Information Science
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign



-- 
Kathryn La Barre
President ISKO C/US
Associate Professor
Graduate School of Library and Information Science
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign