[Chaoss-Board] CHAOSS response to FSF

Thu Apr 1 21:50:20 UTC 2021

I am in complete agreement with Dawn’s omission of my suggestion. I missed the nuance of internal versus external scope, but as the parent of twin 14 year olds I recognize the extreme behavior of giving bad behavior attention.

Sköl!

Sean

> On Apr 1, 2021, at 12:23 PM, Dawn Foster <dawn at dawnfoster.com> wrote:
> 
> Hi everyone,
> 
> +1 to keeping it internal as an email to the CHAOSS community (option 2). I like the text as-is, and I'm also good with Kate's / Georg's suggestion of free and open source software.
> 
> Since this is a community email, I don't think we need Sean's addition, which seems more appropriate for an external statement, but it also continues to give RMS additional attention for all of this, and I think he's had enough attention. I think our statement takes the focus away from RMS and turns it a bit more positively toward doing the right things for our community.
> 
> Cheers,
> Dawn
> 
> On Thu, Apr 1, 2021 at 5:23 PM Amy Marrich <amy at demarco.com <mailto:amy at demarco.com>> wrote:
> As the person who brought this up, I like the idea of keeping it internal and the suggestions everyone is making.
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Amy
> 
> On Thu, Apr 1, 2021 at 10:06 AM Ildiko Vancsa <ildiko at openstack.org <mailto:ildiko at openstack.org>> wrote:
> Hi Georg and All,
> 
> Thank you for writing up this summary of actions to consider and drafting the communication to the community as well!
> 
> Especially with our focus and efforts in DEI I think it is very important to think it through how these events are affecting our work and how we could and should react to it for the protection of our community as well as the free and open source software ecosystem.
> 
> I really like the letter to the community that you, Matt, Nicole, and Elizabeth drafted. I think it is always good to remind ourselves to our values and who we are and at times like this it is even more important to remind the community of all these and point people to the code of conduct should they find themselves in a situation where they might need it. I think the letter does a great job at highlighting our values that ensures the positive environment we have in CHAOSS.
> 
> To Sean’s addition, I got a little confused. I would consider that paragraph to belong in a public statement if we decide to release one rather than in the message that we plan to send to our community. But I may have misunderstood what that would be the extension of. In my view, if we decide to release a public statement it is worthwhile to discuss what route we prefer to take when it comes to demanding actions before taking taking that step.
> 
> Thanks,
> Ildikó
> 
> ———
> 
> Ildikó Váncsa
> Senior Manager, Community & Ecosystem
> Open Infrastructure Foundation
> 
> 
> 
> 
> > On Apr 1, 2021, at 16:30, Kate Stewart <kstewart at linuxfoundation.org <mailto:kstewart at linuxfoundation.org>> wrote:
> > 
> > Hi Georg, 
> >      "free and open source software" is fine.   Just "open source" on its own was going to
> > be missing a key facet.
> > 
> > Kate
> > 
> > On Thu, Apr 1, 2021 at 9:27 AM Georg Link <linkgeorg at gmail.com <mailto:linkgeorg at gmail.com>> wrote:
> > Hi Kate,
> > 
> > Thanks for forwarding the GCC email and suggesting to use "free software". 
> > How about using "free and open source software" to accommodate the intertwined history and relationship?
> > 
> > Best,
> > Georg
> > 
> > On Thu, Apr 1, 2021 at 9:05 AM Kate Stewart <kstewart at linuxfoundation.org <mailto:kstewart at linuxfoundation.org>> wrote:
> > Also of relevance to consider, that some of the FSF projects are signaling 
> > they do not want to be associated with him as well.    
> > 
> > https://gcc.gnu.org/pipermail/gcc/2021-March/235245.html <https://gcc.gnu.org/pipermail/gcc/2021-March/235245.html>
> > 
> > I'd consider using the term "free software" rather than "open source",  as he is actively
> > harming the free software movement,  more than the open source one.
> > 
> > On Thu, Apr 1, 2021 at 7:14 AM Sean Goggins <s at goggins.com <mailto:s at goggins.com>> wrote:
> > To the letter drafted below, you may want to add something along the lines of: 
> > 
> > As a community, we are aware of statements made by RMS in the past that are exclusionary. Of equal, or perhaps great significance, is that as a public figure in the open source community who is recognized for passionately non-inclusive language, welcoming him onto the board of the FSF would send a strong, and possibly lasting signal that Open Source Software, in the very largest sense, remains a non-inclusive work context for many. At CHAOSS, we are working to help advance open source toward a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive future. In that light, we think it is critical that we erase any doubt about our guiding principles of a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive future for open source software. For those reasons, we ask for the immediate removal of RMS from the Free Software Foundation Board.
> > 
> > Possibly too strong. However, my point that RMS is more of a risk to the future of DEI in open source as a symbol of support for non-inclusivity, than he is a threat to DEI individually is the main one.
> > 
> > Sean
> > 
> >> On Mar 31, 2021, at 3:40 PM, Georg Link <linkgeorg at gmail.com <mailto:linkgeorg at gmail.com>> wrote:
> >> 
> >> Hi CHAOSS Board members,
> >> 
> >> In the DEI Working Group call [1] there was discussion about the recent/ongoing concerns related to RMS rejoining the FSF board. As the DEI WG is committed to helping organizations and communities center DEI in their open source work, the question was raised whether CHAOSS could or should have any response. It is possible that the Linux Foundation is also responding to this (or already has) and any insight on that would be helpful too. 
> >> 
> >> We have three decisions to make and I would love your input. 
> >> We don't need to make the choice right now, we can first discuss.
> >> I will voice my own opinion in a response to this email tomorrow.
> >> 
> >> # Decision 1 - YES/NO: Public Statement: Does CHAOSS make a public statement?
> >> 
> >> Other organizations have publicly stated how they stand on the subject of bringing RMS back on board but more broadly about expecting respect and dignity from free software and open source leaders. Examples:
> >>      • OpenUK: https://openuk.uk/openuk-response-to-richard-stallmans-reinstatement-to-fsf-board/ <https://openuk.uk/openuk-response-to-richard-stallmans-reinstatement-to-fsf-board/>
> >>      • RedHat: https://www.redhat.com/en/blog/red-hat-statement-about-richard-stallmans-return-free-software-foundation-board <https://www.redhat.com/en/blog/red-hat-statement-about-richard-stallmans-return-free-software-foundation-board>
> >>      • Outreachy: https://www.outreachy.org/blog/2021-03-23/fsf-participation-barred/ <https://www.outreachy.org/blog/2021-03-23/fsf-participation-barred/>
> >> 
> >> # Decision 2 - YES/NO: Community Communication: Do we, as the board, send a message to our community members?
> >> 
> >> We are lucky with how inclusive the CHAOSS community is and now might be a good time to reinforce that this is by design and choice, affirming to our community members that we value and strive for DEI, respect, and positive.
> >> 
> >> Here is a draft for the CHAOSS mailing list that we can discuss:
> >> 
> >> >>>
> >> Hello CHAOSS Community members, 
> >> 
> >> In light of recent events surrounding the FSF, we wanted to reach out to our community; specifically those who may feel uncertain what our stance is. We wanted to assure you that this community does not condone or tolerate harassment or inappropriate conduct at any time.
> >> 
> >> We would also like to extend our sincere thank you to all of you. Your effort and contributions are what make the CHAOSS community who we are. We welcome and support everyone.You have all been excellent in creating a positive environment by:
> >>      • Using welcoming and inclusive language
> >>      • Being respectful of differing viewpoints and experiences
> >>      • Gracefully accepting constructive criticism
> >>      • Focusing on what is best for the community
> >>      • Showing empathy towards other community members
> >> Should you notice unacceptable behavior, please use our process in our Code of Conduct to allow us to restore the positive environment we are currently enjoying in CHAOSS.
> >> >>>
> >> 
> >> Thank you to Matt, Nicole, and Elizabeth for helping with the draft.
> >> 
> >> 
> >> # Decision 3 - YES/NO: Sign Open Letter: Does CHAOSS sign the open letter to FSF?
> >> 
> >> This is the letter: https://rms-open-letter.github.io/ <https://rms-open-letter.github.io/>
> >> 
> >> 
> >> What are your thoughts?
> >> 
> >> Best,
> >> Georg
> >> 
> >> PS: Please remember that the CHAOSS Board mailing list has a public archive. You can share your thoughts privately with me and other board members by sending a direct email.
> >> 
> >> [1] CHAOSS DEI meeting from 2021-03-24, starting at minute 28:30
> >> 
> >> -- 
> >> Georg Link, PhD
> >> (he/him)
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> > 
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> > 
> > 
> > -- 
> > Georg Link, PhD
> > (he/him)
> > _______________________________________________
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