I've been having mixed feelings about how I should approach the situation with the below e-mail.

[citizenwind]

On one hand, I want to ask someone on the EC or someone involved with PSI for their opinion on how to proceed and lodge a formal complaint, but on the other hand I'd be a snitch.  And you know how much we hate snitches.

But seriously, it'd feel like I was tattling on the playground.  Oh no!  The big mean woman pushed me down digitally and verbally

Comments

[fengi]

My own 2 cents: You should send a note to PSI, if only for your own peace of mind. I doubt PSI will see it as snitching as people like Scott Woods have no patience with stuff like this. It violates the spirit, if not the law, of PSI's "welcoming environment" regulations.

If nothing else, maybe they can request an apology for you, and deal with the infuriating excuses. They may get a genuine apology, and not "I'm sorry if anything I said offended you".

I think they key is to be as concise and calm as you've been here. Ranting is justified, but since rant is the default voice for poet conflict, pricise and polite has more firepower.

If going to PSI doesn't work, you've already schooled her - and us - by calmly presenting it here. If you want to drop a bomb, post it to slam discussion groups, but this will likely result in even more asshat comments in the resulting furor.

On second thought, I was wrong - take the high high road

[fengi]

I just read what Marty posted and she's right, do contact the hosts first and then go elsewhere.

Not speaking for the EC or PSi, but here's my two cents...

[delrica]

Unfortunately, most folks have hit it on the head.

This is a local issue that PSI can't do anything about.

Yes, poets and slammasters alike are held to a code of conduct that we all sign. But that applies to PSi events only. A local slam doesn't fall within that jurisdiction.

This is more of a matter of professionalism (or lack thereof) and one person's bad response.

I wouldn't say tell poets that South Carolina is for suckers (especially when one takes into account that Columbia's slam is down there and Lady Laureatte (or however she spells the last part...I always mess it up) is pretty rad).

I wouldn't let Kimberly J. Simms be a representation of what the South Carolinian slam scene is. I would let her response represent how much of an ass she is for being that way and return the favor in kind when she requests a feature in your neck of the woods.

[citizenwind]

i really appreciate this response, as it further defines my plan of action. thanks.

Re: Not speaking for the EC or PSi, but here's my two cents...

[citizenwind]

this kind of professional discrimination is literally illegal. there isn't anything psi has in place to deal with that?

Re: Not speaking for the EC or PSi, but here's my two cents...

[delrica]

I'm honestly not sure.

To err on the side of caution, I'd say that we should. But I don't think we've ever come across this sort of situation in the time I've been on the EC.

I wish I knew for certain. I'll ask around and see, but I'm pretty sure that the outcome of that search may not be what one wants to hear.

We'll see and I'll hit you BC to let you know, cool?

[chameleonsdream]

I'm a huge proponent of looking at things from the other perspective whenever possible, but no matter how I turn that response over and over, there is NO possible way to see it as anything other than an ignorant and nasty response to a very professional inquiry. You're not being over-sensitive at all (like you needed me to chime in on that). It's not even about "what would a poet fresh to touring thing?" It's about unprofessional and personally insulting behavior, and you are totally justified in being outraged by it.

[theklute]

Don't make me have you shanked in the yard.