Gaythia Weis @Gaythia@qoto.org
Retired Analytical Chemist
League of Women Voters -voting methods, election security
Board Member Colorado Citizens for Science
Joined Oct 2022
Gaythia Weis
boosted
Today is a good day to remind you that whitewashing American history is how white supremacy thrives.
Gaythia Weis
boosted
I’m #thankful for all of the volunteers running all of the #Mastodon instances out there who are trying to build safe, positive, productive communities. Who willingly give of their own time in addition to their family, work, and other obligations. Who put people before profit. Who believe that when we build bridges and connect with one another, we can accomplish anything together.
@Romaq @freemo @shuttersparks Most of the reason we use words is for communicating with other people. And introductions are for people we haven't met yet, and who have little or no other information upon which to base an opinion.. I think that people who have been marginalized in various ways may have sensitivities that others ought to try to recognize and respect.
Gaythia Weis
boosted
This Thanksgiving, make sure you honor the Wampanoag people who have lost 66 of their Tribes from genocide since 1621, when the pilgrims held the first Thanksgiving.
In 2020, Trump had the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe disestablished, stealing 321 acres of their reservation land. It has been the first time a tribe lost recognition since the Termination period of the 1950s. While they regained their land, settler colonial spirit of the pilgrims is still alive in 2022. #indigenous #thanksgiving
Gaythia Weis
boosted
Today is Thanksgiving Day, and it is also the National Day of Mourning, which remembers the genocide of millions of Native Americans and their ongoing erasure today.
In giving thanks today, let us also reflect and act to stop the ongoing genocide of America's Indigenous Peoples.
@shuttersparks @freemo Back when I was a young adult, people were still struggling with how to address women, eventually dropping "Miss", but still even now retaining Mrs. to some extent, along with Ms. It was the case that you couldn't even address a woman about anything, without knowing whether or not they were sexually available.
It was also true that many of my older relatives were quite distressed by people with long hair who they couldn't categorize in some very casual encounter, like walking down the street. And why did that matter?
My hope is that as the "need" to continuously pigeonhole people by gender fades we'll have much less need for the use of pronouns.
Meanwhile I agree with Phil that this is currently a hot button issue. For example, in a group situation where we were all going around the room introducing ourselves using our pronouns, I was madly trying to make mental notes so as to participate correctly in the discussion to follow. Thus, when it was my turn, I suggested that perhaps for practical purposes, we could all just use "they'. Maybe that should be the new normal. This was not well received, and I am currently back to being a somewhat floundering participant in such situations.
For Dr. Freemo, I'd say that I took your description initially as somewhat silly. But silliness is dangerously close to mockery (I think it is nearly impossible to be a comedian these days). Also, if taken seriously, addressing someone else as "Sir" has serious overtones of privilege and supremacy. I'd just admit that you didn't recognize that some would take actual offense but you are learning.
And, let's face it. Current controversies have put you under a microscope these days. That's a consequence of taking an active role here at Mastodon. Supporting openness and individuality while not squelching the aspirations of others is a complicated thing. Essentially an impossible conundrum for human behavior in groups, but worth not giving up on.
I suppose I should go back to my profile and add pronouns.
Gaythia Weis
boosted
I've just published my first ever blog: "The Tragedy of the Non-Commons"
I wrote it in July, frustrated by a Twitter thread about how the Tragedy of the #Commons continues to be taught at universities. I then left it (it's somewhat experiemental) but with #COP27 and #Twittermigration coinciding this week, I just wanted it to be out there. Would love for it to be shared here on our #digitalcommons and grateful for any comments
https://medium.com/@p.vonhellermann/the-tragedy-of-the-non-commons-4bfad884cdbe
Gaythia Weis
boosted
Loving reminder: that store clerk, that cashier, that gas station attendant working today -- they have families, too. So, maybe you're stressed about something you forgot for the big dinner or some family squabble, but don't take it out on them. Be kind. Be considerate.
Gaythia Weis
boosted
Fortunate to be off this Thanksgiving but have spent many working in the ER over the decades. Will go in tomorrow morning and on Sunday for two 24 shifts on the holiday weekend.
@lucifargundam My baking inclinations are much more towards adding kitchen appliances than subtracting them. Grinding wheat this afternoon for tomorrows sourdough bread loaf.
Gaythia Weis
boosted
In order to resist fascism, you're going to have to resist racism.
Gaythia Weis
boosted
@lucifargundam Interesting, but I'll stick with the oven, (at least unless you really make this work).
Gaythia Weis
boosted
@freemo That's quite a read. Thanks for taking the time to dump the details. I knew nothing of this when I recently joined QOTO but I'm glad I accidentally made the choice. I respect what you're trying to do and the effort you have made to keep this a safe place for a variety of communities.
Keep fighting the good fight!
Gaythia Weis
boosted
DOJ #Antitrust Division has opened an investigation into whether #rent-setting software made #RealPage is facilitating collusion among #landlords, according to a source.
The inquiry is being launched as questions have arisen about a 2017 merger between RealPage and its largest pricing competitor. The source told #ProPublica some #DOJ staff raised concerns about the merger but were overridden by political appointees of former President Donald #Trump.
By Heather Vogell:
Gaythia Weis
boosted
@freemo @Gargron @trinsec @khird Looks like the Mastodon CEO took the path of least resistance, by doing so he lost integrity. Perhaps it's better to ignore joinmastodon[.]org than to bother being listed on their site? Lacking integrity might mean they sell out in other ways as well, such as allowing government control, increase censorship, etc.
Gaythia Weis
boosted
After hearing some feedback,a nd wanting to be fair in my representation, I have change the title of the article. It is now:
# Eugen Rochko, CEO of Mastodon, Caves to Nazi's Agenda
I think we can all agree thats a more faithful title.
https://jeffreyfreeman.me/eugen-rochko-ceo-of-mastodon-found-to-support-nazis-agenda/
🇳🇱
@freemo@qoto.org
Sp I wrote a pretty lengthy blog post entitled: Eugen Rochko, CEO of Mastodon, Found to Support Nazi’s Agenda Sadly I wish it was clickbait. You ...
Gaythia Weis
boosted
Billionaires funded 15% of the midterm elections. They represent 0.0002% of the population. That's a problem. https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/analysis-opinion/billionaires-provided-15-percent-funding-midterms
Gaythia Weis
boosted
@freemo I am sorry you’ve had to deal with this situation, but thankful for your efforts. I first heard of QOTO via the official mastodon app, so if I were first joining mastodon today I wouldn’t see this wonderful instance. I hope that Eugen will come to his senses and relist QOTO soon.
Thank you very much for all that you do in helping to run this instance.
🙇🏻
Gaythia Weis
boosted
Black folks hear this all the time in the physical & virtual world. “Maybe, you’re not the right fit.” Decentralization isn’t the panacea for our social media woes if places like #Mastodon can’t incorporate #diversity and #inclusion. It will be just another white~dominated space where the far right, white supremos, and other agents of intolerance rule the roost while the good white folks put their heads in the sand and pretend like they’re not the problem.. #BlackTwitter #Inequality
Retired Analytical Chemist
League of Women Voters -voting methods, election security
Board Member Colorado Citizens for Science
Joined Oct 2022
