Equality/Mission Statement

Mission statement from our meeting notes

Hackerspaces were started to provide an alternative learning environment and gathering space, but in order to be effective, these spaces and the people in them need to understand when they are following cultural norms that sometimes exclude or discriminate against others, and how to change their behavior to overcome these tendencies... (this is Georgia)

Anyone who says they're a hacker should be accepted and treated with respect as an equal hacker

Not just limited to Queer equality topics

(This is Mitch)

The above is good stuff. It's not worded as a Mission Statement, though. Here's a stab at making it more mission-statement-like:

Hackerspaces are collections of unique and diverse individuals. We are comprised of people of all ages, genders, races, classes, interests -- some are queer, some are religious, some are unicorns. Anyone who says they are a hacker should be accepted and treated with respect as an equal hacker. We all deserve to feel good about all of who we are. Hackerspace Equality exists to promote equality by providing resources for exploring how we are can more effectively embrace all of our community.

Steffi:

I really like the suggestions so far! Aside:

In CCC we use the phrase "[we are] a galactic community of life forms, independent of age, gender, race or societal standing. This community strives across borders for freedom of information [..]" - I have to say, I like the galactic community part.

Liz: insert between "with respect as an equal hacker" and "We all deserve to feel good..." something like, "We're all making, teaching, exploring knowledge, technology, and creativity in an alternative learning environment ." I like Mitch's rewrite but it left out the "alternative learning environment" bit. The galactic community part is awesome too!

Georgia: I had a few more thoughts after our last meeting...The basis of hacking involves taking initiative to learn, solve problems, and express yourself creatively through technical know-how. This is a fundamental human attribute and something everyone should have the opportunity to experience on their own and with others.

A rewrite with the above parts:

The hackerspace community is comprised of life forms of all ages, genders, races, classes, interests -- some are queer, some are religious, some are unicorns. We believe that making, teaching, exploring knowledge, technology, and creativity in an accessible alternative learning environment is a fundamental right. Hackerspace Equality exists to uphold that right by providing resources for exploring how we can more effectively embrace all of our community.

I would like there to be a positive statement about accessbility being important for equality. I have good resources and links for that, but am not sure how to phrase it to fit in with the mission statement. - liz