Yep, I'm not happy with that particular quote. But you know what? It was
a set-up. Any reporter worth her salt attending a conference like this
knows how to spot the person in the room that will give them the story they
want to tell, and this is what happened here. She came in looking for the
geeky white guy whose talent at chatting up women was, um, not his strong
suit, and then quoted him instead of talking to the women. Notice that?
One would think that the people to talk to about the challenges of being a
woman Wikipedian would be the Wikimedia women. And yet the reporter
herself refuses to allow them their voice.
I wasn't able to attend this conference, but I talked to several people who
did, and I also looked at the photos. What struck me was how many women
were there. Some of those who attended were struck by how engaged the women
were, too; they were committed to being part of the "gendergap" solution.
Russavia, give everyone a break here. I feel badly for the young woman,
because she was put on the spot in a very awkward situation. I feel badly
for Kevin, because I think he really does get the importance of expanding
the perspectives on Wikipedia and Wikimedia projects, but he was put in a
situation that was well outside his comfort level. Wikipedia, Wikimedia and
the conference itself were inaccurately portrayed by a media outlet. We
all know it happens all the time; it's why we look for multiple reliable
sources in our articles.
Risker
On 7 June 2014 00:39, Russavia <russavia.wikipedia(a)gmail.com> wrote:
MZMcBride, et al
On Sat, Jun 7, 2014 at 9:17 AM, MZMcBride <z(a)mzmcbride.com> wrote:
I know for certain that there quite a few people
who feel that you,
Russavia, are actively damaging and degrading the wiki culture with your
actions... perhaps the same would be said of me and others, though I hope
not.
I would appreciate it that if you are going to have a pot shot at me,
that you expand on it, and explain exactly what actions you are
talking about. However, this isn't about me, so feel free to start a
new thread on that if you so wish.
The article in question is obviously an issue, because gendergappers
are already saying that the unnamed female is owed an apology for the
comments which were directed towards her.[1][2]
The comments from Kevin Rutherford were entirely inappropriate, and
whilst others may not want to publicly say anything because they know
the editor in question,[3] I am willing to go on the record and say
that comments that come across as totally clueless have no place in a
chapter-organised and WMF sponsored event.
If Kevin Rutherford thinks that his comments were acceptable, then he
is sorely mistaken and he has shown clear misjudgment through his
comments at this public event, because they are not supported by the
wider community (if they are, then shame on the community).
I'm seriously not doubting that Frank Schulenberg is reported to have
shaken his head at the comments, because I know others who have read
the article have *facepalmed* and lolwut.
Having this in the media is just another cost that communities have to
face (it's not always about money), and unfortunately it seems to have
overshadowed anything actually useful that might have come of the
conference.
Cheers,
Russavia
[1]
http://lists.wikimedia.org/pipermail/gendergap/2014-June/004310.html
[2]
http://lists.wikimedia.org/pipermail/gendergap/2014-June/004311.html
[3]
http://lists.wikimedia.org/pipermail/gendergap/2014-June/004312.html
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