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

[Karissa McKelvey]

Thanks Lesley, although I firmly stand that signs and words will never go
as far as actions.

I agree with many posters here that it's not an individual, it's a
collective issue -- you can zoom as far back as white supremacy culture,
and there are many subgroups within that, and Omni does play a role in
that. A majority of the people responding on this list are, in fact, white.

Notice these cultural traits:
http://www.cwsworkshop.org/PARC_site_B/dr-culture.html
*Worship of the Written Word*
*Paternalism*
*Defensiveness*
* Sense of Urgency *

*Either/Or Thinking *

*Fear of Open Conflict *
*Individualism*

*Right to Comfort *

among others...



On Fri, Jul 12, 2019 at 6:25 PM Autonomous <autonomous666 at gmail.com> wrote:

> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6i0A8rikoY&t=0m26s
>
> On Fri, Jul 12, 2019 at 4:35 PM Lesley Bell <zvezdalune at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> https://omnicommons.org/wiki/Safer_Space_Policy
>>
>> I'd like to drop in a friendly reminder that "Rather than call-outs, the
>> Omni supports a culture of calling people in to a greater understanding of
>> the intersecting systems of oppression that affect us all."
>>
>> @rayc, I firmly believe Robb was not being racist at all, even
>> subconsciously. I have heard him say the exact same thing ("act like a
>> normal human") to white people, and he has consistently and humbly
>> expressed his openness to consider and reflect on his actions. Our
>> collective failure here is that we haven't been 100% excellent allies
>> against racism in that there are many reasons why poc would feel unsure of
>> whether they are welcome in the space. It is also understandable that
>> someone with past trauma from racism would be triggered by many aspects of
>> how the omni operates.
>>
>> I'm seriously disappointed in the people who are quick to blame a single
>> individual rather than take collective responsibility for a culture we all
>> take part in creating. The default is for poc to feel unsure and afraid in
>> new, majority white spaces, and we need to emphatically welcome them, each
>> in the ways we are able. Maybe we can put in some permanent signage that
>> will fix situations like this in the future by (1) letting visitors know
>> that it is the protocol for everyone to identify themselves and the
>> collective they are visiting and (2) affirm that poc, queer, trans, and
>> otherwise underrepresented groups are emphatically welcome in the space and
>> will be supported and listened to? (I've put up paper/cardboard signs on
>> multiple occasions, but they disappear pretty quickly.)
>>
>> Also, let's take care of each other and try to keep the volunteers who do
>> the most from burning out. Robb, I am so very grateful for all the labor,
>> time, and care you put into the omni. Robb seems to consistently do a lot
>> of jobs that no one else wants to do, like opening the door late at night.
>> He's welcomed a lot of people to the space and helped a lot of
>> underrepresented people gain resources to build their own technology
>> instead of just consume it. His default mode is to be friendly, safe,
>> compassionate, and affirming, and I hope he'll feel better soon and heal
>> from whatever stress and burnout he might be feeling.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> On Fri, Jul 12, 2019 at 2:18 PM Robert Chu <robert.chu01 at gmail.com>
>> wrote:
>>
>>> 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
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> sudo-discuss mailing list
>>>>> sudo-discuss at lists.sudoroom.org
>>>>> https://sudoroom.org/lists/listinfo/sudo-discuss
>>>>>
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>>
>>
>>
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-- 
Karissa McKelvey
https://okdistribute.xyz
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