Open letter to the OTW on the issue of addressing racism in fandom
I will also be sending the following note to the Board of Directors. If you feel that the response has been inadequate, feel free to share your feelings as well.
"As a long-time user of AO3 and a supporter of the OTW, since almost the very beginning, I am deeply disappointed in the Board's response to calls from the membership to make a statement about the ongoing issue of racism, both in our society at large and in fandom specifically. While I appreciate the desire not to speak too hastily, this continuing commitment to silence is not just inadequate, it is harmful, especially to the BIPOC people who make up such a vital part of our fandom community -- and who have been raising these issues for years.
A statement of support and making a commitment to taking long-overdue action to make AO3, Fanlore, and TWC more welcoming spaces to BIPOC is the very least that the OTW can do. Other steps I would like to see include creating a standing Diversity and Inclusion Committee and hiring consultants with expertise in this area. Anything less is a signal that we don't value BIPOC in fandom, and that's not a signal I can get behind boosting."
To learn more about this situation, check out ![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
forestofglory's post, which contains the text of the unfortunate* form letter that the OTW is sending to anyone who brings up this issue. Also see that post for lot of links to other letter templates and updates on the situation. I also really want to thank forestofglory for being one of the people who is taking the lead on holding the OTW accountable here.
*to put it mildly
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