Re: [Gendispatch] Diversity and Inclusiveness in the IETF

[Keith Moore <[e-mail]>]

On 3/2/21 6:33 AM, Dan Harkins wrote:

>   This is why it is important to set the record straight on this bit of
> folklore. There is really no racist baggage associated with the OK 
> gesture
> but now people feel empowered to selectively condemn people who use 
> it. It
> has become a weapon to attack opponents. 

I think the lesson for IETF and TERM there is "be very cautious about 
creating new weapons that can be used to attack opponents".   Because 
people can and will use such weapons for purely political ends, e.g. to 
demonize the people who are promoting ideas that the attackers believe 
will harm their interests.   It's often easier to attack people 
personally than to attack their technical contributions, and we want to 
be very careful about legitimizing such attacks.

Keith