First, the OBOL list is somewhat better than it used to be, when neophyte
birders could get their heads bitten off for posting innocent questions or
comments that were then sneered at by the "elite". I certainly have been,
hesitant to post because of this. Thank you to vigilant moderators!!
On a related note, about birding or being alone in nature (or anywhere) as a
female: I don't think that men, especially white men, can fully understand the
fear that marginalized community members, including BIPOC, LGBTQIA people, and
women, generally experience being alone, and then seeing a male stranger
nearby. Will they attack because they see someone vulnerable who can be taken
advantage of violently, will they attack because they see someone that doesn't
fit their idea of what that person should look like, will they attack because
they think their color doesn't belong? This is REAL. As a female, when I see
a lone man, or a group of men or males, and I am alone, the adrenaline shoots
up and I am on guard and will generally go out of my way to avoid interaction;
I am sure this is true for others that are targeted; unfortunately, this limits
the enjoyment and experience of solitude in natural areas. White men probably
do not have to think of this. Not picking on white men, but privilege comes
with being born that way, generally. And look at the perpetrators of most
violence....for example, the Capitol mob on January 6. Therefore, there is a
duty for the privileged to work on any lack of awareness on their part; which
involves, first: LISTENING and self-education and knowing when to at least shut
up.
Do you think the OBOL guidelines need to be changed? It should be changed so
that moderators can post guidelines and reminders of the ethics of this list
and birding in general. See below.
Do you think the Board violated their own policies by posting a statement about
violence against women on the birding listserv? - No. Moderators need to
moderate.
How should OBOL handle people who are perceived as bullying others? Warn them
once, and if it occurs again, ban them permanently. Maybe they can go on
Parler instead.
How can OBOL be more friendly and welcoming? - Moderators could post a
statement on the listserv at the beginning of each month that has reminders for
respectful discussion, states the consequences if posts violate the guidelines,
states the basic ethics of birding, and includes the assertion that birding
should be actively inclusive and safe for all (?) and that birders have a
responsibility to help make nature study inclusive. State that this post is a
moderator post that is not open for discussion, and delete any posts in reply.
OBA has a few hundred members, I think it's right around 300, but I don't have
the exact number. OBOL has almost 2,000, so the vast majority are not OBA
members. Do you think OBOL should be broken off from OBA and no longer be under
their umbrella? Don't know about this.
________________________________
From: boo-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <boo-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> on behalf of Teresa
Hertzel <teresa.hertzel@xxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Thursday, February 25, 2021 4:01 AM
To: BOO List <boo@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [boo] Discussion
BOOers,
Here are some questions for you, although you certainly don't have to stick to
these topics.
Do you think the OBOL guidelines need to be changed?
Do you think the Board violated their own policies by posting a statement about
violence against women on the birding listserv?
How should OBOL handle people who are perceived as bullying others?
How can OBOL be more friendly and welcoming?
OBA has a few hundred members, I think it's right around 300, but I don't have
the exact number. OBOL has almost 2,000, so the vast majority are not OBA
members. Do you think OBOL should be broken off from OBA and no longer be under
their umbrella?
Treesa
