[TriLUG] A sad comment on our culture

[Jack Hill via TriLUG]

First, thank you Brian for starting this discussion. I am glad that we 
have a safe space where these issues can be discussed — a discussion which 
is important since we do not all share the same cultural background.

As far as TriLUG specific matters, I agree that we should make our policy 
on conduct and harassment more visible. In addition to that, I would like 
to see engagement guides for the various TriLUG fora. #git has an example 
of an engagement guide <http://jk.gs/git>. I envision these covering both 
social expectations and more mundane things like where to find food 
nearby. If someone wants to volunteer to write these that would be most 
excellent.

In general, I would recommend everyone read _Taking on diversity: how we 
can move from anxiety to respect, a diversity doctor's best lessons from 
the campus_ by Rupert W. Nacoste 
<http://search.library.duke.edu/search?id=DUKE006517836>. It focuses on 
inter-personal interactions, particularly when those interactions cross 
group boundaries. He finds that they way we interact (an example of which 
is the language we use) needs to be different when interacting with people 
who identify as belonging to the same group than when interacting with 
people of different groups. LKML is an example of a community of mixed 
groups and therefore profanity (and other ways language is used to enforce 
power) is inappropriate.

Best,
Jack