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

Fri Jul 12 14:17:49 PDT 2019

At Marina. I think this subject is taken way beyond context. You said in
your response that there's no reason at all. they're clearly was a reason
that agitated and made Robert upset to the level of hostility that he
showed against Deon. You're also stating that this is a racial issue
without anything racial having transpired.

Is there any proof that there was a pre-meditative racial agenda that Robb
had, rather by being annoyed with the ringing of the bell numerous times. I
I truly don't think it's fair just to say that a person who is African
American ring the door in this matter, it automatically is an issue of
racism.

I also feel that if I were the one who have been ringing the door
incessively that I would have gotten the same level of response that Robb
had delivered at the time as well.

and if we're talking about white people controlling the space not letting
people of color in... Let's discuss the couple of people I see of color who
are part of CCL and also Phat beats as well. Also discuss the numerous
black lives matters organizing events and other activists events that have
transpired at the Omni Commons with the assistance of Robb.

I've also known Robb for many years before the Omni, from Noisebridge, and
OccuppySF. I've also interacted with him and people of color on many
different occasions. And throughout my many years of knowing him I've never
encountered anyone considering him calling him or even thinking of him
being a racist.

I would also like to revisit what I stated earlier about how I feel that
this isn't an issue of race it's an issue of the person being really
annoyed about someone ring a doorbell multiple times.

On Fri, Jul 12, 2019, 1:50 PM Autonomous <autonomous666 at gmail.com> wrote:

> Deon,
>
> Please accept my sincerest apologies for being treated with disrespect at
> the Omni. Furthermore please accept my apologies for the unacceptable delay
> in receiving a response from members of Sudo Room or the Omni. There is
> simply no excuse for the way you were treated. The manner in which this
> unfortunate encounter was handled by the Omni and Sudo room needs to be
> seriously reviewed and measures need to be taken to prevent incidents from
> occurring again.
>
> Thank you for your service to the community and your generosity. I hope
> that you will return to the Omni sometime soon and be warmly welcomed.
>
> Best regards,
> Autonomous
>
>
> 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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>>
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