The Burden of Education

[onceupon]

More than anything, what strikes me about the concom's decision (and the wording of that decision) regarding Elizabeth Moon's status as a GoH of Wiscon is that it unfairly burdens the Muslim members of the community with yet more expectations that they engage in patient education of someone who has been vile and determined in her offensiveness

Comments

[firynze]

I wonder if it might be possible to hand out cards directing to Apex Magazine's all-Muslim/Arab issue, or something of the like, as part of the teachability?

[onceupon]

I wonder if it is possible to get some copies of that issue, actually, for distribution.

[firynze]

I bet it's entirely possible, seeing as the issue is a response to this whole thing. Time to talk to Cat Valente!

[kalimac]

Interesting. Tell us more?

[elysdir]

it unfairly burdens the Muslim members of the community with yet more expectations that they engage in patient education

Yes. This.

[onceupon]

The balancing act is going to be figuring out what allies can do that won't make things even MORE uncomfortable. I've posted to the Wiscon communities at LJ and DW so hopefully we can come up with a strategy.

[angiereedgarner]

Given that a UW student org sponsored a Draw Muhammad day, looks like there's now kind of a anti-Muslim liberal nexus in those parts... I'm kind of thinking Moon needs to be un-invited by WisCon to put the enlightened folk of Madison and WisCon in the clear. And I'm not expecting it to happen.

[onceupon]

The concom have, yesterday I think, released their statement - she won't be uninvited. It's a "teachable" moment.

[flewellyn]

Teachable to whom, though? EMoon has indicated that she's unwilling to be taught anything.

[onceupon]

I KNOW THAT. I didn't make the statement.

[flewellyn]

I just saw the response.

I understand, somewhat, the "we shouldn't silence people" reaction, but there is a world of difference between silencing someone by censoring what they say, and refusing to give them a platform at a private gathering to speak.

[onceupon]

Yep.

[thatwordgrrl]

I'd be sorely tempted to go to Wiscon just to hand out to the Muslim attendees some "Not Your Teachable Moment" ribbons.

Because really, my reading of their statement leaves a sour taste of that in my mouth.

Sometimes people want to go to a con just to attend. Not be a poster child. Or, you know, a teachable moment.

[onceupon]

Sometimes people want to go to a con just to attend. Not be a poster child. Or, you know, a teachable moment.

If this were just a regular con, I wouldn't care so much about the concom's response to this - because other cons are not explicitly political in their perspective. This one is, though, and that's exactly the thing - it's meant to be a feminist, progressive space. Making people who are already dealing with this shit talk to yet another person who is a bigot is not very progressive. BLAH.

Ribbons might be hella cool....

[thatwordgrrl]

In fact, I have a whole messload. Obnoxiously hot pink, even. You want?

[thatwordgrrl]

Sorry -- CAPTCHA fail. That was me who was offering ribbons