Hi all -
Speaking as one of the list moderators, I unfortunately don't always have time to proactively reach out to problematic members, or even to read all list traffic on a timely basis at all times. (For instance, because I'm in the process of setting up a new house - I haven't read the thread that this thread is about fully, although I intend to do so shortly.) I would like to state that I agree with Val's last email (and thank you, Val, for sending it out.) If there is a problematic situation that the list moderators have missed (which are currently me, Sue Gardner - who tends to be busy enough to not be an active moderator, and Liz Kent,) I would encourage anyone concerned about it to bring it to our direct attention by emailing one of us individually, or by emailing gendergap-owner@lists.wikimedia.org, which will email all three of us. If you are interested in becoming a moderator, I'd also invite you to email us - unfortunately, since Cynthia passed, we're down one moderator from where we normally are.
I can't speak of the moderation of other lists, but from memory, this list has had around four people removed or moderated for making misogynistic comments, one person removed for the combination of making anti-male comments and generally problematic behavior (the person in question, after being called out on their original comments, spammed the list moderators with seven or eight completely profanity filled emails,) two people removed for general assholery/generally disruptive behavior, and a number of other people warned privately who subsequently improved their behavior. Of the people who have been removed or moderated, probably three of them have involved proactive action taken by the list mods, and the rest have been pointed out to us at times when we were ourselves not keeping up with all list traffic. We're the most proactively moderated Wikimedia list as far as I know, but given the special nature of this list, I think all of us would be more than open to moderating more aggressively.
I'll try to pay more attention to this list than I have been over the last few months, and will try to take a more proactive moderation stance. At the same time, if I do miss someone's problematic behavior, I'd encourage a list member to point it out to me (or another mod) and not assume that I don't consider the behavior problematic. An overwhelming majority of the time, I'll agree that the behavior is problematic once it's pointed out to me - I probably just hadn't seen it yet because I often run low enough on spoons to be unable to keep up with listserv traffic in real time.
Anyway... afk to go read the thread that started this thread.
Best, Kevin Gorman
On Tue, Jun 24, 2014 at 6:29 AM, Valerie Aurora valerie@adainitiative.org wrote:
Hi Derric,
This list is not for the purpose of improving people's communication skills. If you would like to help women in Wikimedia projects and you know that you have difficulty communicating without offending people, working on your communication skills in another venue is a good first step. A good second step is to search the internet for resources on ally skills.
To be crystal clear: you will not be helping women in Wikipedia by continuing to ask for help from anyone on this list or centering yourself in the discussion.
-VAL
On Mon, Jun 23, 2014 at 10:05 AM, Derric Atzrott datzrott@alizeepathology.com wrote:
Would anybody object to me hijacking this thread to use as a sort of
meta thread for what just happened? I have further questions and things to explain and get feedback on. I can start another thread if wanted.
This whole situation sort of reminds me of when I tried suggesting on
Wikitech-l that people make use of NVC and people were really offended. Like there my intention was never to come off as condescending, but apparently I am just really awful at not coming off that way via email. I'd like to work on that and also find out what sort of things men on this list can do to make the environment better are and in specific myself. I think a polite discussion of what just happened would help advance all of those goals.
Thank you, Derric Atzrott
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