Toward an inclusive hackathon culture • Hacker News Board

Re: Toward an inclusive hackathon culture

#21

Post by tedks » Thu, Sep 11, 2014, 1:00 AM UTC

dragonwriter wrote: post #20

tedks wrote: post #5

It's depressing that in 2014 this is something being discussed at all. It's equally depressing that otherwise intelligent people will try to argue against codes of conduct, not realizing that as white men, they have literally no say in the matter (or at least shouldn't, even though many throw around their weight and privilege in order to disrupt things). I'd think that in a community so forward-looking and forward-th…

> It's equally depressing that otherwise intelligent people will try to argue against codes of conduct, not realizing that as white men, they have literally no say in the matter If its codes of conduct for a community they are part of, they certainly do have a say (and can reasonably expected to leave the community and form their own if they are denied that say.)

WOMAN: I find it creepy and threatening when men hit on me at hackathons and I'd like it to stop.

MAN: But what about my right to have a say in the communities I'm a part of?

...yeah.

Re: Toward an inclusive hackathon culture

#22

Post by cauterized » Thu, Sep 11, 2014, 2:28 AM UTC

tedks wrote: post #9

jey wrote: post #8

What is the exact problem with someone saying "One of the reasons I attend hackathons is to hit on chicks"? Is it the phrasing or the concept itself? Would it be more acceptable to say "One of the reasons I attend hackathons is to meet interesting and attractive women", or is the idea itself the problem? I can definitely imagine someone objecting to being described as "a chick" instead of "a woman". However, I don't…

It's the concept. It objectifies women. A hackfest is not a nightclub or a dating site. Having to constantly turn down sexual advances is awkward, and many times physically dangerous, and it has an effect of excluding women from spaces. It's basic male entitlement to think that women should be receptive to their advances, at any time and in any place. Having to fend off creepy, socially awkward men makes conferences…

This. 1000 times this.

It's ok to go to a hackathon to meet people in general and to maintain the hope that you'll make a connection with someone you find attractive.

It's not ok to try to flirt at a hackathon with someone who is doing her darnedest to be taken seriously as a professional. You have no idea how frustrating it is to have people take more and earlier note of the fact that one has two X chromosomes than of one's intellectual abilities, especially in a nominally professional setting. And that's before we even get to dealing with actual unwanted advances.

Re: Toward an inclusive hackathon culture

#23

Post by dragonwriter » Thu, Sep 11, 2014, 2:45 AM UTC

tedks wrote: post #21

dragonwriter wrote: post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> It's equally depressing that otherwise intelligent people will try to argue against codes of conduct, not realizing that as white men, they have literally no say in the matter If its codes of conduct for a community they are part of, they certainly do have a say (and can reasonably expected to leave the community and form their own if they are denied that say.)

WOMAN: I find it creepy and threatening when men hit on me at hackathons and I'd like it to stop. MAN: But what about my right to have a say in the communities I'm a part of? ...yeah.

If there's a problem with the man's viewpoint, its with the viewpoint, not with the gender of the person who holds it.