We've had an issue arise in my LoCo, and I wanted to let everyone know that this came up, but I also want to see how others have dealt with similar situations.
We have a woman who is a member of our group post a message on our forum, http://pennsylvania.ubuntuforums.org Here it is: "As much as I hate to get into politics... I just noticed that the Application has a possible future event of working with Boy/Girl Scouts. The Girl Scouts are fine. The Boy Scouts are an openly discriminatory organization, banning homosexuals and atheists. I take great personal exception to this and would not be involved in an event that helps and promotes such an organization. I don't think this is very "Ubuntu"." This is a limited issue which I don't anticipate having a far reaching impact on it's own, but I wanted to get this addressed in case their were more, deeper religious/political complaints arise. I purposely made my response general and simplistic for the American audience. My fellow Ubunteros from Islamic countries, I apologize if my reference to Sunnis and Shiite are overly simple or out of whack since I am relying on the American media's account of the situation in Iraq (which may or may not be accurate). Here's the new thread that I opened up to address this ( http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=476239) : Today I read a post under the Application for Approval thread and being the Team Contact, it really made me think. After some serious reflection, I felt that this needed to be addressed not only for this situation, but for the future as well. I will also give it even more thought and blog about this, and while this instance is significant in the US specifically, this has international implications with other political, theological, and even historical issues. First let me give the background here. Lyz has expressed her misgivings about our LoCo participating with events with the Boy and Girl Scouts of America (http://wiki.ubuntu.com/PennsylvaniaTeam/ApprovalApplication.com<http://wiki.ubuntu.com/PennsylvaniaTeam/ApprovalApplication>). Specifically the Boy Scouts since they exclude homosexuals and atheists from their organization. Here's the sticky wicket. As a LoCo we do not support any social or political organzation. Our sole purpose is to increase the penetration of Ubuntu and free (as in freedom) software and open source generally. We are not political, and we are not an instrument of social change. If we can do good by giving machines running Ubuntu to underprivileged families, schools, daycares, and nonprofits then we are achieving our goals and helping the world be a better place. BUT, we are not here to make judgments of the organizations that we may work with. Do I agree with the policies fo the Boy Scouts who do not allow membership to atheists or homosexuals? No. But since they are a private organization, that is their right. Does that mean that we are supporting them by offering Ubuntu training to their scouts? In my mind, no. We are spreading Ubuntu to young minds who need to know there are options beyond Microsoft. And by giving them an option, perhaps we are opening their minds a bit to the fact that there are always differences in the world and that is what makes the world an exciting and wonderful place. Now, as far as participation, I do not feel that any person should have to feel like they are being compelled to participate with activities that are counter to their believes or to their standards. Lyz has absolutely NO obligation to attend or work to coordinate a Boy Scouts event. NOT EVER. No one in my organization will be ostracized for not participating in something that is against their beliefs or offensive to them. Once again, NOT EVER. On the other side of this, just because Lyz feels this organization is not right in it's beliefs and policies, does not make it mandatory that we do not work with them. Ubuntu is a non-denominational, non-political, non-activist organization. The ONLY social change that Ubuntu represents is increasing the use of Open Source Software and the spread of the Ubuntu brand of Linux. That is 100% everything that we do. And that is why we have been as successful as we have been. I do not care if you are atheist, anarchist, catholic, republican, communist, or muslim. We are in this organization because we believe in Ubuntu and Open Source. That is what brings us together. We can not get wrapped up in political or religious debate. Otherwise we are going to have the argument about the justice/injustice of the United States, religious debate, and other things that really have no place in this space, our "Society of Ubuntu." There can not be arguments about who we do or don't work with. The people who support projects with certain groups will do their events, the people who do not agree or support that initiative do not. There will be no bias against either side. Lyz while you may feel righteous indignation against the Boy Scouts and want nothing to do with them, the person who posted that goal (who was not me), is perfectly within the boundaries to do that. No one will fault you for your feelings on this. But please do not fault others who do want to work with the Boy Scouts in this forum or we run the risk of tearing ourselves apart. As an example, I don't think that Alex's distribution point at the Wooden Shoe is the best place for Ubuntu to be distributed. Why? Well, by branding Ubuntu as a non-mainstream, anti-establishment, anarchist dream, are we sending the best image of our community to the non-Ubunteros out there? I am not an anarchist. I am not an extremist. And I don't advocate the destruction of the United States. In many ways that book store scares me. But do you know what? I am going to encourage Alex to do what he feels is right. If he feels that this is a good place to spread Ubuntu and the proper way to spread Ubuntu, I will not only allow it, I will strongly encourage him to do what he feels is right. In other words be true to your heart and your believes, but do not impose them on others who may believe differently. As the moderator I will stop flame wars where I see them erupting, while trying to maintain everyone's freedom of speech. If anyone blasts Lyz for her post, I will remove their negative messages forthwith, and warn them of our policy. If it continues, I will ban them. I open the door to discussion here, because I don't want people to feel that they have to hide how they feel. And I want to know if anyone supports what I am saying. If I am the sole voice out there then, perhaps I am not the right person to lead this group. But if I am not, please reply. We need to be a team and work together as brothers and sisters. While families and communities do not always see eye to eye, I'd like to think that as a group we can overcome external social/religious/political issues and be the group that I have come to respect and cherish, the Pennsylvania Ubuntu Local Community Team. Why does this have international implications? Think about this; there are many countries, cultures, and religions out there who have severely different perspectives of the world. Currently there are Ubuntu LoCos in all corners of the world. So, as an example, let's say there is an Iraqi LoCo Team. Well, if there is an event planned for a Sunni school, should the Shiites dictate that there can be no event? No. And visa versa is true. Now, should a Shiite have to participate in the Sunni event? No. Absolutely, positively no. Should the group work together without religion entering into the equation? Yes. Unequivocally. So the big question is, where does the Pennsylvania LoCo stand? Do we limit who we work with, or do we ignore race, religion, politics, and other dividing issues, to make sure that we spread Ubuntu without forcing anyone to do anything against their own beliefs? Please do not downplay this. It is important not just here in the PA LoCo, but in all LoCos around the world. As a side note, I am completely exhausted as I write this, so if it goes in circles or I repeat myself, I am sorry. I just didn't want this to go on without being talked about. __________________ - Bret Pennsylvania LoCo Team Contact http://breadthofreality.blogspot.com So there it is. If any of you wish to respond on the forum, please do! The more input from other LoCos the better! I value your input and look forward to your responses. __________________ -- - Bret
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