vaguely intermittent statement....
Mar. 4th, 2010 11:07 pmThis isn't inspired by anything particular happening in my life, although it is inspired in part by Jim Hines's very thoughtful post. Anyway, though I've said it before, I think it's worth saying again.
I pledge to help anyone I see who seems to be being harassed. I may help them by giving them an escape route, calling the police, or just standing by them so that the person harassing them knows that they aren't alone, but if they appear to be being harassed, I will do something. What I do may be moderated by what I can do safely (ie, if the harasser seems to be violent, I may hang back and call security or the cops), but I will do something. I will do my best to give the target of harassment an out without assuming they can't handle it. (That is: if they're having an antagonistic conversation, I'll give them the opportunity to escape it, but if they don't take it, I won't push.)
The corollary is: if you (any of you; that isn't a generic 'you') ever need help escaping someone who is harassing you, even if you feel silly because 'they're a nice guy' or whatever, you can come to me. I will do my level best to get you away in a safe fashion. I know many of you don't hang out with me in person, but should you be in a social situation with me, even if it's just that you recognize me from my icon, you can always come to me and know that I will help you get to a safe and secure place without question, and without pushing you to report the incident unless/until you're ready.
I am a fan and a geek, and I love fandom and geekery. And this is my pledge to help make it as safe as I can.
I pledge to help anyone I see who seems to be being harassed. I may help them by giving them an escape route, calling the police, or just standing by them so that the person harassing them knows that they aren't alone, but if they appear to be being harassed, I will do something. What I do may be moderated by what I can do safely (ie, if the harasser seems to be violent, I may hang back and call security or the cops), but I will do something. I will do my best to give the target of harassment an out without assuming they can't handle it. (That is: if they're having an antagonistic conversation, I'll give them the opportunity to escape it, but if they don't take it, I won't push.)
The corollary is: if you (any of you; that isn't a generic 'you') ever need help escaping someone who is harassing you, even if you feel silly because 'they're a nice guy' or whatever, you can come to me. I will do my level best to get you away in a safe fashion. I know many of you don't hang out with me in person, but should you be in a social situation with me, even if it's just that you recognize me from my icon, you can always come to me and know that I will help you get to a safe and secure place without question, and without pushing you to report the incident unless/until you're ready.
I am a fan and a geek, and I love fandom and geekery. And this is my pledge to help make it as safe as I can.