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

[Marc Juul]

Hey Scott. Thanks for lettings us know about this. This incident was
already brought to our attention and last I heard mediation was being
initiated between Deon and Rob. I wasn't present when this took place
so I don't know where you got that info. Maybe someone else can pipe
in who knows more.

On 6/28/19, 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
>