Conversation

(White people: please don't reply to this post. It's not addressed to you. Instead, feel welcome to sit down, listen, and reflect)

Are there any #Indigenous #PoC or #Black #Mods who might be interested in sharing tips or being part of a global online support network?

I'm new to #Mastodon (3+ weeks) but straightaway saw whiteness, paternalism, micro-aggressions and racism threading throughout the fediverse.

My first racist sealion/gaslight hit was on day 1 (he's moved two times since, and I've blocked all three accounts), with another the next day (who then found me on twitter, just to yell at me). Reporting and blocking doesn't fix ingrained whiteness or white fragility (yts, please do not @ me to object or offer suggestions).

Because of what I was observing in the wider Mastodon space, and after listening to people who've paved the way, I volunteered to be a mod. My team is awesome, and I'm confident we can together do good.

I've a lot of personal and professional experience of being the only Aboriginal person on all-white teams. And I know so-called progressive spaces are as problematic as other spaces.

Being able to connect with people with same/similar experiences is good. Reduces burnout and trauma, and helps with finding solutions to specific challenges.