WHY Do I Stand with Ravelry?
ByIt’s been a few days since Rav posted a dramatic statement aimed at eliminating hate speech on their platform. In our 140 Character world, reposts, shares would have looked like this:
“New policy, effective immediately
We are banning support of Donald Trump and his administration on Ravelry. We cannot provide a space that is inclusive of all and also allow support for open white supremacy. Support of the Trump administration is unambiguously support for white supremacy. For more details, read this document: https://ravelry.com/content/no-trump”.
Even though Ravelry goes on to state that they are not banning conservatives or endorsing democrats, and that they do not condone hate speech of liberals against conservatives, it’s easy to see why a bunch of perfectly nice, non bigoted people feel targeted here. I’ve had the benefit of thoughtful dialogue with other dyers and customers since this happened and I’d like to expand on why I took the stance I did.
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Let’s start with the complexities of getting political at all; first of all there is a cost to the business, undeniably. There have been massive refunds, loss of followers, and reams of angry messages. My own family have asked why the hell I’m sticking my neck out when my company is in a very vulnerable place, and they’re not wrong to do so because here is the thing;
Getting to Canada is not easy. When many immigrants arrive there is a general sense of “Achievement unlocked. Now I shall work hard and keep my head down the rest of my life”. It’s a completely understandable stance to take; especially if you come from somewhere that isn’t easy. And probably you did, because the majority of people do not wish to leave the country of their birth unless their livelihoods or families are threatened. Contrary to popular rhetoric, no one wakes up in their homeland thinking “Today I think I’ll risk my life and the lives of those I care about to make an arduous journey to a faraway place so I can “Rip off the system” and “steal jobs”.
The result of that stance is that the people most often qualified to speak out against racism and bigotry … don’t. They have been conditioned to walk small, to work well, to live quietly and happily and not rock the boat. This is why white allies are critical, but they can’t do the job without us.
That’s my first reason, first gen children of immigrants often inherit this mentality, and I sure did. Which is why I felt the need to step up.
Second; What Rav did was brave. The other major platforms are freely hosting hate speech; YouTube, Facebook and Twitter have protected their bottom line and the interests of their shareholders by not taking any meaningful stance or making any effective moves to de-platform those who use their services to spread and organize hate. As sad as it is, I get that. A corporation is beholden to its shareholders, and massive machines are difficult to move. I don’t agree with it, but I get it. So when Ravelry chose to take such a dramatic stand against hate I was impressed. The Blue Brick has a voice too; 17,500K IG followers and 28,000K FB followers. That’s a big voice. I chose to be brave, too, because I’m the sole owner of The Blue Brick and I can take a hit to stand up for what I believe in.
Third: There IS a rising tide of white supremacy. There are bigger and bolder movements. They have names that sound ok, like the Council of Conservative Citizens, The Creativity Alliance, the Canadian Heritage Alliance. The age of information and social media, plus the endorsement and empowerment of the POTUS himself is allowing their brand of hate to grow, spread and hurt people. We can’t allow this train to come in. We are all responsible for holding the line.
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Ok, so WHAT do I believe in, and WHY do I believe it?
Ravelry’s stance is a hard line, and I admit I was initially shocked to see it. I thought long and hard about how it made me feel.
They thought about a metric that would define hate and bigotry. That metric could have been anything; flagging certain words on their site, barring certain users or patterns, or simply issuing a statement, without focus, that bigotry and hate would not be tolerated, but they chose support of Donald Trump as their metric. Not if you voted for him initially, not if you identify as a republican or a conservative, but if you vocally support Donald Trump specifically, why did they do this?
Donald Trump is associated with things that, as a global community, are very painful. His crimes against women, children, minorities and the environment are too many to count. He has validated and empowered a white supremacy voice that, as a BIPOC woman is very frightening. It’s not even the man himself so much as it is what he stands for, what he inspires, and some of the groups he has empowered through his hate rhetoric.
I feel strongly about this. If one supports the man then I don’t see how one separates him from grabbing women by the p***y, putting children in cages, forming relationships with other despots and perpetuating racist rhetoric.
I don’t believe it’s fair to call all who voted for him racists, but to those who support him still, despite the human rights violations, the rape accusations, the climate change denial, the horrors at the border…It’s hard not to feel that at some level they agree with, condone and empathize with him, and that’s where someone like me needs to draw a line too.
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To those who have begun respectful dialogue I have respected their choices and responded in kind. I have not deleted anyone’s comments from my feed because I do listen to and respect their viewpoints, however different from my own. I realize that many different people support him for many different reasons, and I want you to know that I hear you. And I don’t hate you. I don’t think poorly of you and I am ready ready to listen when people want to have respectful dialogue. I have stated where I stand, but that is not to the exclusion of the feelings of others. Division serves no one. Listening with an open heart does. I want to learn and grow and give my energy to healing the divide, not widening it.
I am not someone who likes to get political. I’m an artist who wants to fly under the radar and make lovely things. Speaking out is frightening. My business is in a precarious and vulnerable place as we scale, and alienating customers is the last thing I wish to do. I hope this demonstrates how deeply I felt in myself that it must have been the right thing to do, despite what it’s cost me, and there has been a cost; in followers, friends, mental and physical health, and revenue. I still believe that I am standing up for what’s right. I believe I have a responsibility to my community.
I’d like to thank you for the patience to read this far, and to share just a bit more if I may. This is a story that inspires me every day:
Flight of the Hummingbird: A Parable for the Environment, a book by Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas
The terrible fire raged and burned. All of the animals were afraid and fled from their homes. The elephant and the tiger, the beaver and the bear all ran, and above them the birds flew in a panic. They huddled at the edge of the forest and watched. All of the creatures gathered, except one. Only Dukdukdiya, the little hummingbird, would not abandon the forest. Dukdukdiya flew quickly to the stream. She picked up a single drop of water in her beak.
Dukdukdiya flew back and dropped the water on the fire. Again she flew to the stream and brought back another drop, and so she continued—back and forth, back and forth. The other animals watched Dukdukdiya’s tiny body fly against the enormous fire, and they were frightened. They called out to the little hummingbird, warning her of the dangers of the smoke and the heat. “What can I do?” sobbed the rabbit. “This fire is much too hot.” “There is too much smoke!” howled the wolf.
“My wings will burn! My beak is too small!” cried the owl.
But the little hummingbird persisted. She flew to and fro, picking up more water and dropping it, bead by bead, onto the burning forest. Finally, the big bear said, “Little Dukdukdiya, what are you doing?”
Without stopping, Dukdukdiya looked down at all of the animals. She said, “I am doing what I can.”
Thank you
Joseph Paul Dease, Ph.D.
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Thank You.
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I applaud you for the stand you have taken, for what you believe in. Hate does not belong in our world. And because of Trump, the hate groups have been given a green light to spread their hatred and violence. I have never been a fan of Trump and can’t, for the life of me, figure out why anyone I know, would vote for and support him to this day. I try to be open minded and I do believe that people have a right to their opinion. But I also have a right to my opinion. When it comes to supporting a man who has encouraged hatred, racism, bullying, degradation of women and more, I have to question their morals. I, too, stand with Ravelry and support their decision to ban hatred from their site. I know that the Love in the world can over power the hatred. We all just need to stand up and spread the love <3 <3 <3
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Thank you for your thoughtful email. I appreciate the time it took to write and the courage it took to commit to this publicly. I will support your actions with my buying as much as possible.
Best,
Lee Wittenstein
On Fri, Jun 28, 2019 at 10:46 AM The Blue Brick | Inspired Yarns wrote:
> The Blue Brick posted: “It’s been a few days since Rav posted a dramatic > statement aimed at eliminating hate speech on their platform. In our 140 > Character world, reposts, shares would have looked like this: “New policy, > effective immediately We are banning support of Donal” >
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Thank you for your bravery. Your rationale is so well written. I can only hope that other organizations, large and small, and important people can see these happenings too and take a stand. I support you completely……and hope you are feeling better soon, too.
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Excellent. We all need to stand up against hate. Hurray for you.
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Thank you all for all your talents in expressing your views and valors. I believe in love and for once there was a web site where people shared and helped each other. So the more we talk about hate and or supremacy the more we give them energy. Let’s go on with with our passions and forget about this event and continue to love each other! ❤️💕
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Thank you for this post. I applaud you for taking a stand and for laying out so clearly and rationally why you are doing it. No one of us alone can eradicate hate in this world, but with each of us doing what we can and uniting in our rejection of hate, we can make a difference.
I started following you after I heard your story of overhearing racist comments at a fiber festival and fell in love with your beautiful color sense. Though I’m on a yarn diet now while I get my stash under control, you have found a new customer in me and I will be supporting your business in the future.
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Thank you for your thoughtful response to the Ravelry stand. I support both you and them for taking the stands you have taken.
I wish I had the patience that you have, to listen to those who support Donald Trump, but I find I can no longer participate in those discussions because of the overwhelming frustration that I feel.
I wish you and your business the very best…
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Beautifully expressed, and I could not agree more strongly. Fly hummingbird, fly!!
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I think Ravelry is narrow minded and bigoted. They spread the same hate they supposedly abhor. Their exclusion of MY President is an attempt, as with other websites and search engines, to thwart the following and voting for Donald Trump. Donald Trump is the best thing that has ever happened to the United States since Ronald Reagan. 63,000,000 plus people voted for Donald Trump. He was NOT EVER any of the things the libtard media would have you think he is until he decided to run for President. Even the left’s precious idol Obama stated that everyone’s “dream is to be Donald Trump”. I’m sick of the lies being spread about my President. If you think for one single second that this was “brave” by Ravelry you are sorely mistaken. What is brave is the military who fights for the safety of my country. And, very likely, yours. Don’t pretend to understand why Ravelry did this because you don’t it is STRICTLY to silence conservatives. I personally know a conservative designer who, despite her designs being lovely and pure, was banned from Ravelry simply because her designs are patriotic and supportive of our country, our President and are pro life. Donald Trump will win re-election in a landslide and this horse manure will continue for six more years. I will never waver in my support of my President. And I will not support the businesses who have sided with Ravelry. That means you side with the face of fascism. That being said, while I was willing to wait for my yarn for Wingspan, I find that I cannot, in good conscience, support a business such as yours and I respectfully request a full refund for the yarn as I am no longer willing to wait. Thank you.
Susan Gallagher Español ❤️🏃
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Susan – using the term ‘libtard’ says everything about you. And you should really learn something about fascism. I hope that at some point in your life you will recognize the error of your ways. Good luck!
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Awesome. Thank you. I did read it all the way to the end and it is inspirational. I will absolutely continue to support your business. Regards Deb Dawson
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Very brave, Shireen. Good for you!
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Thank you for this, for being so truly thoughtful. Thank you for your intelligence and insight. Look forward to doing business with you. Kaaren
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You have made your points so coherently here. I totally agree with everything you have said and it saddens me greatly that people have chosen to act against your business because you are being a good human being. #istandwithravelry and the good folk who are putting their necks on the line despite the risks to their livelihoods.
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Beautifully done! This is such a hard topic all around and I applaud your bravery!! ❤️
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Bravo Shireen. Well said. As a Japanese Canadian I wish someone had spoken up for my family when they were thrown into the camps and their property was stolen and families and communities were broken. After the war they were forced to relocate but had difficulty in even finding a room to rent – nevermind finding a job. Hitler didn’t start with the ovens. We all need to take a stand – sooner rather than later.
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I’m an immigrant to the US from Northern Ireland, and I’m white, and believe me, no one has told me to go back where I came from. No one has said I come from a “s***hole” country. I work with recent immigrants every day, mostly from Mexico, and their experience is very different from mine. It’s about race, and Trump has stoked the flames of racism and white supremacy that have been smoldering. I’m glad Ravelry has restricted expressions of open Trump support— and I thought they did it very fairly. They specified that it wasn’t about conservatism or Republicans or even about Trump supporters, but about open expressions of support for Trump, which implies (or openly states, in some cases) a degree of acceptance of white supremacy. I’m a lefty social justice Catholic, but I know plenty of Republicans who left their party when Trump became the candidate— I was glad Ravelry made the distinction. I support them, and I support you. I’ve bookmarked your shop. Take care of yourself amidst all this.
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Extremely well said. I applaud you
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You are right and you are brave. I commend, support, and stand with you.
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Your comments are thoughtful.
Accusations abound that the rise of racism is Trump’s fault but I point the finger at social media (which allows people to say the most hateful things without knowing the person they are saying the things about). The media also. THAT is what is ” stoking the flames of racism”. To say it is entirely due to Trump shows that people have listened to the viewpoints of a segment of society without making sure it is true. Trump supporters has been vilified, rejected, categorized, discriminated against (just ask one). I personally am on the fence about Trump. I do know that his decisions and speech is taken out of context and politicized by the left. I have seen it happen.
I have read many many comments that this is not against the supporters but it HAS targeted one segment of society. Frankly it reminds me of Hitler – make accusations and twist lots of decisions and actions a certain way and then talk about it as if it is the absolute truth – people will believe it and turn against the accused. (Just a note- When I have commented on this on other sites I have been accused of racism, etc. and sometimes my comments are not even allowed.)
I am heartbroken because I absolutely LOVE your work. I have ordered from you and supported your blog and your business as much as I could afford to do at this time. I was saving to purchase yarn from you.
And I love that you at least are NICE about this whole thing.
I just think that the whole story is not being told – rather people are believing everything the media feeds it…..remember one can make ANY comment look bad with careful editing and commenting.
Sorry to say goodby….hope your business has success.
How wonderful if Ravelry had simply said they would not allow ANY hate, racism or white supremacy on their website. I LOVED their website but am saying goodby to them also. Because I agree – we need to take a stance. I take a stance to stand against the rise of hate against anyone that has different opinions.
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Excellent
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I understand that you feel the flames of racism have been “stoked” by the media/social. But truthfully they’ve just been exposed, not stoked. All of this racism has always been here. You just haven’t felt it seen it.
Your decision to say goodbye to wonderfully talented artist (and a business that is BIPOC-owned) shows what and who your real priorities are. White supremacy is not “a different opinion” that can be tolerated.
Shireen’s “nice”- ness is not a requirement for anyone to understand or respect her position.
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I admire your bravery and willingness to stand up for what is right! I have forwarded your email to other friends of mine who will appreciate your courage! As an American, I am horrified by what is happening here!
I think the story about the little hummingbird is so poignant right now and I think the hummingbird should be a symbol of “doing what we can”!
Do you still have the hummingbird colorway? I meant to order it a long time ago. I would like to make a shawl out of it and donate it to ACLU or some other appropriate cause as a auction item for a fund raiser! Thanks for being YOU!
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Jean – what a great idea!
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Shireen, thank you so much for sharing your thinking. I admire you for taking a stand and following up with an explanation. You don’t owe that to anyone and take considerable risk in doing so. Your way with words and compassionate analysis are as extraordinary as your artistry. I, for one, will be happy to remain your customer!
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Thank you for a thoughtful, articulate and heartfelt post. There are no easy answers and doing what’s right has a price that’s different for everyone..Trust that we chose what honours us and what best reflects how we want to be in this world!
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I commend you for standing up for what you believe in and I support you and will remain your customer.
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Dearest Shireen,
Thank you so much for your carefully considered response. I stand with you. I’ve been shocked by the very personal and vitriolic insults I’ve been hit with for my simple, non combative messages of encouragement to others. I refuse to go to that level.
My good friend is a popular indie Dyer in NYC. She received a multitude of vicious comments and declarations not to support her business. After a little bit of research. She discovered something surprising. Almost none of the people who declared they would no longer buy her yarn had ever bought any to begin with!! I would not be surprised if the same is true for you.
Peace and comfort to you dear one. And thank you for your bravery. ❤️
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Thank you ….. and yes, respectful, mindful, open dialogue around these issues is required. Opinions based on assumptions, fear, hate & anecdotal ‘evidence’ do not serve anyone
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Shireen, THANK YOU for speaking out, for verbalizing what so many of us are feeling. I believe Trump and his “ideology” are eating away at the very core of humanity. The imagery of the hummingbird is an inspiration that we must ALL do what we can to save this Earth from the destruction created by hate. We all have an obligation to stand against it however and wherever we can.
Dee K.
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Wish you all the health and happiness for which you have worked so hard. Having been born during the Eisenhower administration, there is little that I’ve not seen in slanted journalism and historical revisionism. Did I vote for Trump? No. He’s not a Republican, nor a constitutional conservative. He does not represent my values. The one-sided censorship that Ravelry is espousing, as is there right, let me know that I’m not their kind of knitter. The lines are drawn and we are on different sides. Please refund my current order.
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Wish you all the health and happiness for which you have worked so hard. Having been born during the Eisenhower administration, there is little that I’ve not seen in slanted journalism and historical revisionism. Did I vote for Trump? No. He’s not a Republican, nor a constitutional conservative. He does not represent my values. The one-sided censorship that Ravelry is espousing, as is their right, let me know that I’m not their kind of knitter. The lines are drawn and we are on different sides. Please refund my current order.
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Thank you for the well thought out post. I admire your courage. I have no intention of bailing on you. I am looking forward to buying your lovely product when it comes available again. Best wishes.
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You would not feel comfortable to say anyone who is a Muslim is a terrorist yet you have no problem to make a blanket assumption on Trump supporters who come in every color gender religious and sex preference. Crafts and art Shoud unite us not divide . Poor decision of R driven by political agenda that has nothing to do with being inclusive. You may think you are brave and o bellive you have good intentions but you are a crowed pleaser. The ones who are truly brave stand up against this terrible unkind and untrue accusation and hypocrisy.
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Thank you for verbalizing that which was in my mind. I too was shocked when Ravelry first made their announcement and like you thought long and hard about it and it’s ramifications. I agree with you wholeheartedly. You are being honest and fair to all which is refreshing. Thank you for your courage to stand up for what you believe in. I will certainly continue to support your business.
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Beautifully and thoughtfully stated. I stand with you.
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Thank you for taking a stance and for taking the time to elaborate. It is often the silence of those who may not agree but shrug their shoulders that strengthens those negative energies. We need to take a stance; so thank you for your courage to use your business to do so.
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