What do you suggest in the place of cultural awareness threads?, page 7

Cultural Awareness Awareness

Originally posted by ceci2006
And now, I will turn my attention toward hearing what the staff has to say about tolerance and cultural awareness. And I surely hope that people stop beating around the bush and just simply answer the question instead of "not advocating any position". Please. A lot of staff members have posted on race-threads when they had the chance. I don't see what it actually different here--especially when it does serve to clear the air here.

Stop pussyfooting around and let's discuss cultural awareness.

I think I addressed the question of official staff opinions here, so I hope that's clear.

If you're interested in the opinions of individual staff members on cultural awareness, I think you've gotten answers there as well.

On a personal level, you and I have discussed the issue once or twice () so I hope you know where I stand as a member myself.

For anyone who may not know: I personally consider racism inherent to human nature, but a trait that healthy societies must learn to overcome.

So that's my personal bias on the issue.

It's Not About Us

As the official AbovePolitics.com dude, I'm always interested in promoting candid, civil and intelligent discussion of all political topics.

Race/Racism topics are relevant to pretty much every society on earth, certainly seem to be popular and -- to the extent we can discuss them without flaming each other to death -- I very much want members to feel welcome to explore them to their hearts' content.

As for the question of race among our membership, I consider it irrelevant to membership. Members are not asked what their race is when they sign up, nor is any other personal information solicited.

Anyone with an email address and a willingness to post in accordance with the rules is welcome to be a member of ATS, BTS and AbovePolitics.com.

Period.

It's About Us Talking

On that note, I'll add a personal comment about member race which has evolved from following these discussions.

I see no point in any member advertising their race in any way.

Being of a certain race doesn't make anyone an authority on race, because we all are members of some race or another.

Arguments based on a member's personal traits are irrelevant to logical discussion because they are fallacies.

Being a member of a given racial group doesn't make anyone right or wrong.

For example: "I'm right because I'm white, and you're wrong because you're black."

I can't force anyone to understand that, but I can insist that members avoid dragging this sort of nonsense into discussions of race and racism, because ironically enough, it's irrelevant.

And insist I do.

Arguments based on the personal traits of members are unwelcome, and will be treated as such.

I feel that neutrality is being used as a way to hinder the discussion about tolerance and cultural awareness. In fact, this "neutrality" has been used to either dismiss or ridicule the discussion.

Well youre wrong.

Let me try and put this in a way you can understand. here is a thread I was involved in before I became a mod:
www.abovetopsecret.com...

Now personally I found the entire concept of thread not only ignorant and insulting but just down right offensive on a number of levels.

But what should ATS do in this situation? Should they say this POV is not allowed here because it's ignorant and hateful? Or should the policy be what it always has been which is everyone has the right to their opinion no matter how personally offensive it is.

I don't like threads that smell of anti-semetism and I even moderate the MEC forum where its a real hot button issue.

But are we better served by shutting out all view points we don't agree with or are we better served by ineracting with these people possibly changing their point of view or at the very least learning more about why people feel the way they do about certain topics wether religion, ethnicity or even sexual identity.

Telling people You can not post this or that does not help the problem.

All view points must be allowed to be expressed or none at all. The person who thinks jews rule the world is just as free to post as the person who thinks blacks are inferior or that all latinos are criminals.

It's offensive, it's ignorant and it can be down right scary at times but that's life, thats the world and thats why it must be allowed her and faced head on.

Issue by issue member by member one at a time not a big broad stroke.

Spiderj

A Matter Of Opinion

Originally posted by ceci2006
I feel that neutrality is being used as a way to hinder the discussion about tolerance and cultural awareness. In fact, this "neutrality" has been used to either dismiss or ridicule the discussion.

Members are not required to be neutral.

Neutrality applies to the idea that the ATS community has some sort of overall opinion representative of the membership as a whole, which it does not.

There is no such thing as an "ATS opinion", and it is pointless to demand one.

Discussions of any topic in compliance with the AboveTopSecret.com Terms And Conditions Of Use are valid and welcome, others are not.

I've repeatedly pointed out that discussions of race and racism are welcome on these same terms.

What's wrong with that?

False Accusations

Originally posted by ceci2006
Stop with the accusations against me and just answer the question. Treat the issue as it is and leave me out of the equation. Please.

What accusations have I made against you?

Tolerance As A Solution

Originally posted by ceci2006
There's nothing wrong with it. But that still doesn't take away from the fact that no one from the staff has any solutions about tolerance. And getting them to discuss cultural awareness is like getting blood from a turnip.

The only problem with tolerance I'm seeing as a staff member is that some members seem to be intolerant of the opinions of other members, and seek to suppress them in ways that violate our rules.

The solution is to enforce the rules.

Awareness of this is important to understanding our culture as an online community.

There is established policy regarding the issue regarding the Social Issues Forum, and the posting trends that have garnered all this attention. That is the time honored Terms & Conditions Of Use to which every ATS member has agreed to when joining this discussion board. In addition to those guidelines there are specific guidelines governing the Social Issues Forum at AbovePolitics.com. Those guidelines can be read here, and were approved by the Three Amigos. The process for developing forum guidelines is not a haphazard one, nor is it the work of any single individual. There is no end to the hand wringing and dissection that entails such an undertaking. Even after the posting of said guidelines, the process continues, and the rules must stand the test of time and usage. Updates and revisions are always contemplated, and when deemed appropriate, implemented. Casual dismissal of the ATS Staff’s diligence on this matter is unfounded, and gratuitous.

The staff members were selected from the most capable members, and perform their duties sans compensation… A labor of love if you will. These duties are never taken lightly, and by accepting a staff position that member is embracing not only the increased scrutiny of the Three Amigos, but the entire membership of ATS. The ability to perform the duties of a moderator here with purely altruistic intent is difficult, but by checks and balances, and a team effort the result is fair, above board, and in the truest spirit of “Deny Ignorance.” To make the callous accusations and to insinuate that there is some form of conspiracy to suppress a particular voice or point of view through either apathy or tacit racism is beyond the pale.

ATS strives to provide the finest venue for the exchange and discussion of ideas and issues, and will continue to try and improve in any way possible to be as inclusive and as broad in scope as possible. That being said, ATS is a private entity, and to transform itself to satisfy one member's ideal or vision is not even in the realm of contemplation. If someone finds the comfortable environs of ATS too confining for their views, I suggest a proactive course of action! There is a whole world wide web out there to embrace new ideas and endeavors. Disagreement can lead to the vision of enterprise and the germ of something new and different.

The bottom line is that the Terms & Conditions will continue to be enforced in a fair and even manner in all forums

The Social Issues Forum Guidelines will be enforced, and will be in a steady state of review and revision by the staff. The posting “styles” that led to the creation to these specific guidelines will not be tolerated. Period.

Individuals that cannot abide by these simple guidelines will be subject to administrative action, up to and including Permanent Banning. Make no mistake, if a member manages to engage in disruptive activity that leads to being banned, the member will have earned the status of persona non grata any attempt to return to ATS will result in immediate banning of new accounts without warning or comment.

There will be no policy regarding awareness or sensitivity… There will remain the standing policy of civility and decorum. ATS is a diverse environment, and should a member choose not to be “aware” that is their choice… To legislate a particular stance or point of view is precisely what ATS is not about. Should a member transition from an inward choice of ignorance to an outward violation of the Terms & Conditions, that member will be dealt with by the staff as policy has always dictated.

If there is any interested guest speaker that would contribute to the overall enlightenment of the membership and visitors of ATS then a vigorous pursuit of that person should be undertaken. If any member has any relationship or insight that could lead to obtaining a guest speaker it should be brought to the attention of the staff via the ATS Complain/Suggestion Form. To establish some criteria or quota based on anything other than expertise in a conspiracy related field, and a willingness to appear on ATS is inherently flawed. Any and all conspiracy theorist are welcome with open arms at ATS, and should a particular theorist through research or fame have appeal as a Guest Speaker, Conspiracy Master, Sponsored Forum, or some other tailored forum or venue… They will be granted that status based on who they are, not what they are.

In conclusion, participation at ATS is elective; there is nothing holding any member here, nor is there any obligation to engage in any activity that a member or individual may find offensive. If the parameters of posting here are an imposition, then perhaps it is time to move on.

To each member, the choice is yours.


[edit on 6/4/2007 by Mirthful Me]