brlancer's Journal: Encourage Women in LINUX?

Originally posted as a comment to join-the-dots

I wish I had more time to expound upon this. Maybe if I remember it in a week, I'll write a longer disection of the HOWTO. Until then, I hope this is complete enough.

I was greatly disappointed by the HOWTO. The stated intent of the paper is a noble one; unfortunately, the steps presented are counter-productive and sexist on their own. Instead of saying "Linux geeks should be nicer to newbies," it says "Guys should be nicer to women." No. Either I can be an asshole to everyone or I can't. To ask for different treatment for different genders is SEXIST, and when the stated goal is to minimize sexism, it becomes counter-productive.

The HOWTO is a mastubatory effort written by a group which defines itself by sexism: "the focus is on women and we attempt to maintain a female-dominated environment." Great. If a man tried that he would immediately be jumped on as sexist and discriminatory; but in this case, the individuals are empowered (or some such crap).

The HOWTO ignores that women are just as guilty of reinforcing the stereotypes and sexism as men are; much of this cultural conditioning occurs in school where the majority of teachers are (wait for it) women. The paper encourages vulgarity but not "bitch". It repeatedly asks not to be treated differently but then asks for special treatment-from the viewpoint of the article, it's ok for me to be an ass, just not to women.

I know, the article is directed at women so of course it singles out behavior directed at women. However, the behavior being discussed often doesn't have to do with man/women but more with bully/object. Instead of correcting the root causes which are not gender specific, the HOWTO pushes for gender specific remedies.

Eighty to ninety percent of the HOWTO can be summed up, "Don't be an asshole. Be helpful." That is something many people (man and women) in computing need to adhere to. And if we stick to it, I think you'll find interest in computing increase by _everyone_.