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Discussion on: This is BS: How and why "inclusive" conferences are screwing up (starting from the top)

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Nicole Archambault • Edited

And they're assuming what our (marginalized groups') reality is. We need to be able to get professional development to build our careers, where we're already at a great disadvantage.

And they're the ones voluntarily running an event. An event that they need speakers for in order to even hold the event.

Really, don't even think about blaming speakers or marginalized groups for making conference organizers' lives difficult. If your balance sheet doesn't shake out, don't hold the event.

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Nicole Archambault • Edited

And this isn't about "having all the answers". If you read what I wrote, it's a DISCUSSION that needs to be had in order to fix something broken.

Half the issue is organizers not even being willing to recognize that there's a problem. And those backing up conference organizers' decision to hold a non-inclusive event they don't NEED to hold.

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Dean Radcliffe

Of course, there are more reasons to pay speakers than not, provide daycare for parents, mental health services, etc.. but if there are not the dollars or hours to do it, you’d have this opt-in event turn into one that does not happen at all? That seems to shut a lot of people out as well.. Seems a bit hostile to new stuff that may grow in future versions.