Inclusion & Class, Culture and Race
(Note: A former Loomio participant from the Nest community engaged in a discussion with me about this issue, but then deleted their comments and deactivated their account. This has left my posts without context, but I've left them up as they do, I think, elucidate some worthwhile points. If you have any questions please ask in a comment.)
At the Community Meeting in April last year, prior to Nest 2018, there was a discussion of whether and how Nest, as a community, should work to make itself more inclusive and accessible to people from a more diverse range of classes, cultures and races.
It was, from what I remember, broadly agreed that this issue should be addressed by a special project group who would look into the issue in depth and then, if necessary, bring proposals to the community and to Nest Org about how this could be done. It would also, potentially, take on outreach and education activities outside of Nest itself, to support that diversity.
This is a broad thread to discuss how this could be done in a way that is respectful of all affected, including people in the existing Nest community as well as those who may currently be unnecessarily excluded from that community.
Please note: For many, this is sensitive or emotive subject that can lead to heated debate and disagreements. Fundamentally, we all care about and see ourselves as belonging to the Nest community. To varying degrees, we agree with and support the Principles of a Burn event, even though we may have differing opinions on how those Principles are best interpreted and upheld. We are all people in one community. Please bear that in mind when discussing these issues and making or discussing proposals.
Please try to avoid ascribing views to people that they have not expressly stated. If you believe someone's viewpoint or statement implies another viewpoint or statement that you disagree with, please do not assume that is the case, but feel free to ask them directly if that is the case.
All participants are expected to abide by the same code of conduct that governs our Facebook groups and pages (you can find that code of conduct in the "How can we make Nest 2019 more inclusive" page). Do not insult individual participants of the discussion. Address the problem, not the people. Thank you!
Graeme McGregor Mon 13 May 2019 5:16PM
Can you elaborate on that last point?
Loz Tanner Mon 13 May 2019 5:19PM
Sure... if for e.g. one makes things cheaper and more physically accessible - does it automatically create the sense of welcome and safety required for people on the margins to participate, there's the emotional labour to do as well.
Graeme McGregor Mon 13 May 2019 6:19PM
I agree.
Loz Tanner · Mon 13 May 2019 5:10PM
There's a couple of things I have comment on - one is that Nest's RadInc principle is quite different to the BM one, and is:
EVERYONE IS WELCOME
We welcome everyone for their unique contribution. Include others as you want to be included: with respect, consideration and tolerance.
From what I've seen online from the European 'burner' community (e.g. from the ELS clips - and I have looked quite hard) the discussion tends to veer towards exclusion/inclusion of "missing stairs" and is very individualistic approach rather than systemic (which to me personally speaks more to radical self expression). What I have seen from the Nest meetings online there is a desire for inclusion to happen without intervention.
I think it is erroneous to seek, discover and remove barriers, without doing the work of interrogating implicit bias within the community itself.