This email got longer than I expected :) so first I have a few
questions;
- For remote panelists - how will we be joining? Voice or Video? What
format would be appropriate? I need to check to see where on the
schedule this is, line it up to my timezone, and make sure I have
the right hardware/software setup.
Here are a couple ideas I have for the agenda;
- Self Intro - focusing on your perspective of diversity
For example: I contribute on the infrastructure team. My focus
is neuro-diversity. I have an Asperger's diagnosis as well as
ADHD and anxiety diagnoses. One of the big benefits of working
with the Fedora community is that we most often communicate
via email and irc. I feel very connected to the teams I
participate on without expending the emotional energy needed
in a face to face personal interaction - etc.
- What does it mean to be a person of $(your specific interest or
focus)?
- As a person of $(diversity) what challenges have you had to
overcome, what parts have been beneficial?
eg..With ADHD and Asperger's come the ability/disability to
become hyper-focused on a particular topic/problem/idea which
is really beneficial for learning new ideas and topics.
- Something I think that we could be more open about are the things
that people are uncomfortable asking. I'm not sure how to approach
this though? I'm thinking particularly about stereotypes of people
of color, non-binary gender identity, Autistic people, etc. I think
stereotypes persist - in part - because we don't feel comfortable
talking about such personal topics in a way that is constructive and
instructive without feeling judged for having a particular
perception.
- I think the issue of outreach has to focus on our ability as a community
to access underprivileged people. For my perspective, being someone
with Asperger's and raising two children on the Autism Spectrum is
expensive. I'm sure there are ways to reach out to other groups that
may not otherwise be able to participate or access hardware to learn
or contribute.
This is really back of the napkin type stuff here, but what about
creating local hardware recycling programs or creating web-based
desktops running Fedora? There are definitely resource constraints
for both of those options. Perhaps we need to partner with a sponsor
or set up an application/nomination process?
- One other item to discuss - how do we as a community handle issues
where we have not been open and accepting? I am in IRC quite a bit
and on a few mailing lists and I have never seen anyone being
obviously malicious. In fact, I have seen more long time
contributors go out of their way to be awesome to people that don't
seem to have that same level of etiquette. However, that doesn't mean
that these issues don't exist. What are some positive ways that we
as a community can support or respond to issues or concern if we are
present for a situation like this?
Thanks for reading!
Zach
#aikidouke