Re:GitHub's Code of Conduct
by unfamiliar on Wednesday August 12, 2015 @09:58AM
(#10047695)
I understand what you are saying, but I don't think this is a good solution. Partly because in an online community, there are typically records of everything that is said so finding the instigator should be quite easy. Consider two different conversations:
Conversation A:
Person 1 (repeatedly) makes discriminatory comments towards person 2
Person 2 makes only non-discriminatory comments back
Conversation B:
Person 1 (repeatedly) makes discriminatory comments towards person 2
Person 2 same as above, but eventually makes a discriminatory comment back
In conversation B, there was no reason for person 2 to make the discriminatory comment other than their emotions got the better of them and they were dragged down to the level of person 1. But I see no reason why this should be forgiven. Person 2 still made discriminatory comments which violated the code of conduct. We could argue over the appropriate level of retribution they each deserve, but I don't think they should get a free pass. Giving them one encourages a "fight fire with fire" attitude which simply leads to more discrimination.
The solution in my eyes is to have a clear definition of discriminatory/harassing comments and enforce it consistently. Stronger repercussions for repeat offenders, warnings for the occasional slip up.
Conversation A:
Person 1 (repeatedly) makes discriminatory comments towards person 2
Person 2 makes only non-discriminatory comments back
Conversation B:
Person 1 (repeatedly) makes discriminatory comments towards person 2
Person 2 same as above, but eventually makes a discriminatory comment back
In conversation B, there was no reason for person 2 to make the discriminatory comment other than their emotions got the better of them and they were dragged down to the level of person 1. But I see no reason why this should be forgiven. Person 2 still made discriminatory comments which violated the code of conduct. We could argue over the appropriate level of retribution they each deserve, but I don't think they should get a free pass. Giving them one encourages a "fight fire with fire" attitude which simply leads to more discrimination.
The solution in my eyes is to have a clear definition of discriminatory/harassing comments and enforce it consistently. Stronger repercussions for repeat offenders, warnings for the occasional slip up.