Re: Debian supports pridemonth?

[Adrian Bunk <bunk@debian.org>]

On Fri, Jun 28, 2019 at 11:59:36AM -0700, Russ Allbery wrote:
> Roberto C. Sánchez <roberto@debian.org> writes:
> 
> > Hispanic Heritage Month is coming in a few months (at least in the US,
> > not sure about international observances).  Perhaps Debian could make a
> > public show of support for those of Hispanic origin (who tend to be
> > drastically underrepresented in the community).  We already missed Black
> > Heritage Month this year in the US, but it is coming in October for
> > Europe and will come round again in February in the US.  Blacks, or
> > African-Americans, are similarly underrepresented in the community.
> 
> > Perhaps we could also show support for Jews and those of Jewish origin
> > during one of the principal festivals (Passover, Weeks, or Tabernacles).
> 
> I think this would be great.  Explicitly saying to our various communities
> on days of significance to that community that they are welcome and
> supported in Debian seems like a warm-hearted and open gesture, and I
> fully support it.  My employer does this for four or five of the events
> that are the most significant to company employees, and it's always very
> welcome.
> 
> The criteria I'd use (because we do have to draw some sort of line
> somewhere, since there are more days or months like this than there are
> days and months in the year if you look hard enough) is to let the
> relevant community in Debian take the lead.  That also avoids the
> occasional issues where there is some supposed recognition of a group that
> is controversial or unwanted within that group, which happens from time to
> time because humans are complicated.
> 
> So, we should look to our LGBTQ project members to decide what Debian
> should do for Pride, to our Hispanic members to decide what Debian should
> do for Hispanic Heritage Month,

Why should Debian honor people in the US of one specific race?

It might make sense for you to honor them inside your country, 
but for the other 95% of the population of this planet they
are just people with the privilege of living in the US.

> and so forth, since they're the experts on
> what they would find the most meaningful within the Debian context.

Debian having a position on general political issues can be dangerous.

Let's talk about the BDS community in Debian and Debconf 2020.

If Debian as a project is making general political statements, then 
having a Debconf in Israel without a strong public message regarding the 
situation of the Palestinian people would make Debian appear to fully 
support the Israeli side.

Just like many LGBTQ project members might have a problem with
Debconf in a country where homosexuality is illegal.

Most people from Israel are nice people and clearly welcome in Debian,
and so are contributors from countries where homosexuality is illegal.

But if Debian does make political statements, then Debians position
on the Israeli-Palestine conflict is a valid issue for discussions on 
project mailing lists and in GRs.

The decision that Debconf 2020 will be in Israel can be overridden by GR.

The easy way would be if Debian would consider itself a purely technical 
project and abstain from making any political statements, except ones 
strongly related to being a Linux distribution.

cu
Adrian

-- 

       "Is there not promise of rain?" Ling Tan asked suddenly out
        of the darkness. There had been need of rain for many days.
       "Only a promise," Lao Er said.
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