[Foundation-l] [Wikichix-l] Moderating an open list

Gatto Nero gattonero at gmail.com
Tue Dec 5 13:43:47 UTC 2006


2006/12/5, Puppy <puppy at killerchihuahua.com>:

> I read the following:

(I hope you've read the context, too)

> --
>  >Oh. My. God. Which will be the next one? WikiNigger? WikiFaggot?
> --
> as ridiculing the idea, comparing a list for women (not WikiBitches, not
> WikiWhores, not WikiCunts, not some derogatory term) with your
> intentionally offensive terms for blacks and gays.

With this real phrase, I was not ridiculing the idea - even if (as
said) I don't think this idea is really useful to fight bias - but I
was ridiculing the name choosen.
And this because, in my very very very personal opinion, call a woman
"chick" is offensive of her intelligence. As offensive as calling a
black people "Nigger" or a gay "faggot" (and again: I'm gay, just to
explain the context).
It could be an italian way to see this word, but if I'd call "Chix" -
or one of the italian corrispective - a friend of mine (and I have
plenty of female friends), as minimum I'd receive a slap in the face.
As minimum (a more reality adherent image is me receiving a kick in my
balls).

> This has the result
> of implying that women who perceive the need for this list are "less
> than" - as calling a black person a "nigger" implies he or she is "less
> than" and so underlines the bias and bigotry.

Eh? I've read this phrase twice and more, but I'm not sure of what
you're saying, maybe cause of language difficulties (I'm italian...
maybe - if you want - you could try to explain it in a wider way,
privately too).
If you're thinking that I'm implying that women are "less than"
anything, you're totally wrong. I just think that women who perceive
the need for a new ML are bad-adressing their effort: they should want
rather *more politeness and respect for women* in THIS mailing list.

> This is trolling.

I can't get why. Rather a misunderstanding?

> The "Oh.
> My. God." is clearly expressing contempt for the idea.

"Contempt"? Astonishment, rather. And worry.
Because, just as I've said before in this answer, I find (*I*, me
underline) more offensive this list.

> This is trolling.

As said, this is an opinion. If express an opinion is trolling, then
maybe you're not considering some cultural differences which could be
adressed to different lifestyle, different countries of living,  etc
(It's difficult to express what I'm trying to say now in english, for
me)

> A clearly reasoned statement, such as Bryan Tong Minh's post:
> --
[CUT]
> --
> is a disagreement without being trolling. Do you see the difference? Or
> am I being unclear?

No, you've been clear. But I don't think you're totally right (again:
an opinion).



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