“Someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago.”
Warren Buffett
It seems I’ve ruffled a few feathers this week. Honestly, I’m glad. Sometimes feathers need ruffling if we want to move forward to a more welcoming and open community.
99% or more of you are A+, top-notch, amazing humans. The overwhelming response to my post on misogyny was supportive, positive, and, yes, even heartwarming. (I really do love this community.)
Conversation is good. Open discourse is good. Action is better.
Some of you dodged the house when it fell toward you. And I knew you would. I didn’t expect to change dyed-in-the-wool sexists but rather to open a dialogue about the ways women and non-binary folks are mistreated in our community. I wanted to bring to light real examples of abuse for those who are usually unaffected by it — and as a result, are often blind to it.
Conversation is good. Open discourse is good. Action is better.
If yesterday you weren’t the best version of yourself that you can be, then today make the intention to be better. Tomorrow, do the same. And then the day after that. It’s a journey to be the best we can be.
Watch our blog over the next few weeks as I (and our team) share ways that WordPress and the members who comprise the community, can be a warmer and safer place for all.
It’s an open source software community, but even more important, it’s an open community.
