Three month suspension for a Core Developer - Committers - Discussions on Python.org

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Three month suspension for a Core Developer

Committers

thomas

(Thomas Wouters)

August 7, 2024, 6:23pm

(Posting for the whole Steering Council)

The Steering Council, following a recommendation from the PSF’s Code of Conduct Workgroup, has decided to suspend a Core Developer for three months. Quoting the CoC WG’s recommendation:

The user showed these repeated violations of the following behaviors expected by the Code of Conduct:

Overloading the discussion of the bylaws change (47 out of 177 posts in topic at the time the moderators closed the topic), which created an atmosphere of fear, uncertainty, and doubt, which encouraged increasingly emotional responses from other community members. The later result of the vote showed 81% support for the most controversial of the bylaws changes, which demonstrates the controversy was blown out of proportion.

Defending “reverse racism” and “reverse sexism”, concepts not backed by empirical evidence, which could be seen as deliberate intimidation or creating an exclusionary environment.

Using potentially offensive language or slurs, in one case even calling an SNL skit from the 1970s using the same slur “genuinely funny”, which shows a lack of empathy towards other community members.

Making light of sensitive topics like workplace sexual harassment, which could be interpreted as harassment or creating an unwelcoming environment.

Casually mentioning scenarios involving sexual abuse, which may be inappropriate or triggering for some audiences.

Discussing bans or removals of community members, which may be seen as publishing private information without permission.

Dismissing unacceptable behavior of others as a “neurodivergent” trait, which is problematic because it creates a stereotype that neurodivergent people are hard to interact with and need special treatment.

Excessive discussion of controversial topics or past conflicts, which could be seen as sustained disruption of community discussions.

Use of potentially offensive terms, even when self-censored or alluded to indirectly.

Making assumptions or speculations about other community members’ motivations and/or mental health.

In the interest of transparency, let it be known that Brett Cannon and Łukasz Langa, who are core developers of CPython as well as Discourse moderators, abstained in the vote for that recommendation to avoid bias.

While we’re following the CoC WG’s recommendation here, we should make clear that we also received direct, very specific communication about the problematic behaviour and its impact. Like PEP 13 says, “Core team members are expected to act as role models for the community”. We’re not taking this lightly. This is an attempt at corrective action, and we hope it impresses upon everyone that these things matter.

41 Likes

Calling for a Vote of No Confidence

Recommended CoC improvements

Shedding light on a three-month suspension

David Mertz's keynote address at PyCon Nigeria

Calling for a Vote of No Confidence

Calling for a Vote of No Confidence

stoneleaf

(Ethan Furman)

August 13, 2024, 6:20pm

Thomas Wouters:

Like PEP 13 says , “Core team members are expected to act as role models for the community”.

I found that Core Developer’s behavior to be exemplary, and this suspension to be proof of the validity of their concerns. I fully agree with this analysis of the situation.

If I am still a Core Developer and able to vote for the next Steering Council, I will not be voting for anyone on the current Steering Council.

91 Likes

gpshead

(Gregory P. Smith)

August 13, 2024, 8:02pm

Speaking for myself here:

I encourage you to run for Steering Council yourself since you seem to want change. We always need more candidates in the pool. I encourage you to read PEP-13 to understand what our role is supposed to be. The current council welcomes constructive feedback on what you think the steering council should and shouldn’t be doing and why. If you believe changes to PEP-13 are warranted, the process for seeking consensus to make that happen is outlined within.

I suspect the only statements likely to be seen circulating in public about this summer’s events such as this short term ban may be dominated by interpretations of a single side. People, regardless of opinion on conduct matters, often feel like they’ll be attacked for speaking up. The chilling effect of a space being perceived as unsafe leaves the majority of voices left in a room to trend towards extremes, instead of accurately reflecting the community’s thoughts as a whole.

I find it best to think of events like this as a workplace HR response. Bystanders do not have all of the information and generally never will for confidentiality reasons.

The...