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

[robb]

> On 6/28/19, D. Scott Nanos <scott.nanos at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > 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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