Re: [Diversity] Concerns about Singapore

[SM <[e-mail]>]

Hi Nalini,
At 06:08 10-04-2016, [e-mail] wrote:
>Guys, believe me, I am not for discrimination in any form whatsoever 
>and of course, it is wonderful if IETFers want to bring their family 
>with them to locations but isn't it more important for the IETFer 
>themselves to attend and to not be harassed?   Does IETF need to 
>plan for not just attendees but attendee's families?

I'll skip the question.

>A lot of us have never said anything but people might want to read 
>the section that is in Wikipedia on "White Privilege".
>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_privilege
>
>This might help put a different perspective on this discussion.
>
>I know at least one participant at IETF95 who was searched multiple 
>times at the same airport because his skin was brown and we suspect 
>that he was profiled.  You may look at compilations which have rank 
>countries by racist attitudes and in some, the United States comes in first.
>
>But, you do not hear us talking about this or even complaining or 
>suggesting that we are getting an unfair deal.  We just work harder 
>and try to support each other.

The pie chart of IETF 95 attendees shows that approximately 35% of 
the attendees were from the United States.  It's striking that the 
attendees who raised issues about IETF meeting venues are usually 
from the United States.  I guess that IETF attendees from the United 
States are quite vocal about unfair deals.

>And, this kind of thing - getting hassled, ignored in restaurants, 
>possibly physically assaulted if we are in the wrong area, etc.etc. 
>is for IETF participants.  Not, IETFer's bringing their families - 
>which I will add is not an option for many in the developing world 
>because it is far too expensive.  It is hard enough for the IETFer 
>himself / herself to attend - much less bring their family.

I don't recall reading a lot of complaints about Hawaii being an 
exotic location or being too far.    There are usually complaints 
when an IETF meeting is held outside Northern America.  Do people 
outside the United States complain about discrimination, being 
ignored, etc.?  A quick look at [e-mail] does not show a 
significant volume of issues from the 65%.

The following is from Paypal: 
https://www.paypal.com/stories/us/paypal-withdraws-plan-for-charlotte-expansion 
Will the IETF adopt a similar position about Singapore?

>Let's try to work with each other and support each other to bring 
>the collaborative attitudes and openness that underlie the Internet 
>and the openness of the IETF to the developing world.  I think that 
>we are agents of change just as the Internet is an agent of 
>change.  Unfortunately, sometimes, there are costs to be borne for 
>this.  We need to look at the greater good.

How can that greater good be determined?  Would it be based on IETF 
Consensus?  Would it be left to the discretion of the IASA as that 
body has been given the responsibility for administrative 
issues?  Would it be left to the IETF Chair given that he has been 
chosen by Eligible Voters?

Regards,
-sm