[hackerspaces] Hackers, feminism, and bullying

[Serendipity Seraph]

I don't see why any of these subjects have much really to do with hacking or hackerspaces as such.  I mean we all know that the majority of hackers/makers are male and that some races are not very proportionally present.   But does this have anything to do with hackerspaces as such since it is really just a general trend in the high tech community much larger than hackerspaces?  I don't see how it is particularly germane to hackerspaces as such.   We also know that hackers/makers as a rule are pretty apolitical and perhaps 'differently socialized' creatures.  :)

Now as to things that could be done about gender disparity in particular.  I note there are a lot of women who code meetings just out of my comfortable driving range in San Francisco.   Nothing of that kind that I am aware of in the South Bay.  I think more such groups meetings for female hacker/makers specifically would be a good move for any hackerspaces interested. 

- s



On Jan 18, 2013, at 3:51 PM, rachel lyra hospodar wrote:

> Hi kevin, I want to point out that I haven't said 'all', 'most', or 'many', or used judgemental adjectives like 'horrible', but simply described patterns of behavior that exist and sometimes occur, in the context of discussion where they are relevant.
> 
> > >It is difficult to even talk about gender/race/heteronormativity because as soon as it comes up, people from the named dominant group panic, get defensive, scold the complainers, claim that they are being reverse-discriminated. 
> >
> > This is akin to me saying that all feminists are "horrible individuals" and are "bullies" which is far from the truth. Your statement in my mind gives me the perception of you being a bully,
> 
> ...and now somehow we're talking about an exaggerated comparison and false generalization you've made, and by extension you, and your feelings, instead of continuing direct discussion of the topic at hand.
> 
> Just pointing that out, in the hopes of illuminating yet another rote pattern of behavior as well as perhaps continuing to discuss (or demonstrate, I guess) ways in which technology spaces can be unwelcoming to new ideas while professing openmindedness.
> 
> Now all these words are getting to be too much for my little old brain. I guess I'll go back to my sewing.
> 
> R.
> 
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