[sudo-discuss] a very racist encounter from a man named Rob

[Jake]

hi Autonomous,

Thank you for sharing your story.  I'm sorry you experienced that, and I
appreciate you speaking up so that we can make sure this doesn't keep
happening.

I believe that Robb is reading these stories and learning about how his actions
can be perceived by others.  He has stated that he will reduce his interaction
with people he doesn't know in the building, because as I see it, he was
getting burned out by playing the role of "omni guardian" because he was there
so much.  I expect that Robb is also learning to be more careful about how he
speaks to people he doesn't know.

These incidents are not over, we just haven't figured out what to do yet.  It
helps when people who are affected offer suggestions of what changes or actions
would make them feel more comfortable and heard, but even when no policy
changes or action items are mentioned, people are listening and learning how to
act better next time.

Thank you
-jake

On Fri, 12 Jul 2019, Autonomous wrote:

> I would like to share an encounter I had with Robb prior to this most
> recent incident with Deon.
>
> I swiped my card at the front door and entered the building. As I was
> looking around for Marc who I was meeting at Sudo Room, I was accosted by
> Robb in a hallway who said in a loud voice "MAY I HELP YOU". I said that I
> was a Sudo Room member and was looking for Marc, and that I was "surprised
> that you don't recognize me, Robb". The entire time I was speaking, Robb
> was glaring at me in a hostile manner. I have not been back to Sudo Room
> since.
>
> I would like to point out that 90% of communication is non-verbal and
> Robb's attitude towards people he doesn't recognize or like could be
> interpreted as hateful or racist without the use of specific derogatory
> words. Since Robb now says "he hasn't heard from anybody" on the encounter
> with Deon I am wondering if the views, opinions and attitudes expressed by
> Robb are also those of Sudo Room and the Omni,  and reflect the official
> policy or position of Sudo Room or the Omni towards unwanted guests.
>
>
> On Fri, Jun 28, 2019 at 4:31 PM D. Scott Nanos <scott.nanos at gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
>> Greetings Sudo et al, I'm so sorry but I have to bring to your attention a
>> recent, very unfortunate, inappropriate, and violent encounter a friend of
>> mine, Deon Saunders, had with a guy named "Rob", who I don't think I know
>> personally, although I'm sure he's well known around Omni in general. I
>> don't believe he's a sudo member specifically, but I believe this incident
>> sort of came into Sudo territory when Marc became involved; I also really
>> respect and love what Sudo room provides to the community, and I know that
>> Sudo is a powerful force within the Omni; as such, I'm writing to you all
>> now because I believe this issue definitely needs to be dealt with, and not
>> ignored or brushed aside.
>>
>> Basically, Deon is friends with Phat Beets and Food First, and has been
>> frequenting the Omni in order to do work and access the community resources
>> that are available. To my understanding, he often works in the Sudo room
>> space. Although this should not need to be said, I can personally vouch for
>> Deon as an upstanding and generous member of the Oakland community.
>>
>> Deon was having trouble accessing the space the other day and rung the
>> Omni doorbell several times, at which point guy named Rob opened the door
>> and started cursing at him and being very aggressive. After Deon was able
>> to enter Omni, Rob then started following him around and harassing him,
>> acting like a cop. Although this is egregious in and of itself, and a
>> terrible counter-representation of the Omni's values, this all came to a
>> head when Rob accused Deon of not being "an actual, normal, human being".
>> Whether or not this was intentional, it evoked longstanding racist
>> attitudes that black folks have been subjected to, suggesting that Deon was
>> less-than, or sub-human. Deon was so offended that he promptly left the
>> Omni and has not been back since.
>>
>> Besides this very loaded and hateful comment, this general kind of
>> treatment and attitude, overall, is the EXACT opposite of the way black
>> folks should be treated when interfacing with the Omni. Rob's actions are
>> not okay, at all, and I strongly feel that a serious accountability process
>> should be implemented for this incident. This is not a small matter. I've
>> spoken with Deon, and he has agreed to participate.
>>
>> I've also heard that this type of incident has happened before at the
>> Omni, specifically involving Rob. Correct me if I'm wrong, but apparently,
>> the attitude that was expressed to Deon was that Rob is one of the main
>> people that operates (i.e. helps to reproduce and sustain,) the Omni, and
>> as such, people basically go along with what he says and does. If this is
>> in fact the case, then an accountability process is even more imperative.
>> In no way should labor, and by proxy, "power" derived from labor, enable a
>> person to act with racism against members of the Oakland community. I think
>> it's in the best interest of the Omni to address this issue immediately,
>> for Deon, for the Omni, and for the Omni's relationship with the greater
>> community of Oakland.
>>
>> I believe Marc was present for part of this incident as well, and although
>> I know, Marc is so busy doing vital work for Sudo and Omni, it might
>> behoove him to also participate in this process, as a witness.
>>
>> I am writing this email not because I am trying to "cancel" or ruin
>> anyone, but because I care about Deon, The Omni, Sudo, and the Oakland
>> community at large. This issue seems indicative of larger problems, and if
>> addressed with love and respect and accountability, could seriously benefit
>> all parties listed above, and improve the Omni and it's relationship with
>> Oakland.
>>
>> I'm not sure where to take it from here, as I am personally extremely busy
>> with other community-based activities in Oakland right now, but a
>> mediator/facilitator should be sought out, ideally a black person, but at
>> the very least, a non-black poc, and probably someone that isn't personally
>> involved in the day-to-day operations at Omni, sudo etc. If i am able, I
>> could possibly be this mediator, but I hope other options are sought out
>> first, because a.) I'm a non-black, mixed race poc, and b.) I have very
>> little capacity at the moment.
>>
>> But please keep me in the loop regarding an accountability process for
>> Rob, and I'll do whatever I can to help move this along and reach a fair
>> and just conclusion.
>>
>> Sorry to bring such difficult news to you all, but I could not stay
>> silent.
>>
>> With love and Solidarity,
>>
>> Scott
>>
>>
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>