[ELECTRON] Is the Electron Club Becoming Too Political?

[James Beeley]

Looking at the program for the planned open day, and the web calendar, I
can see a lot of political activity which doesn't seem to have anything
to do with open-source software, hardware hacking, amateur radio, video
editing or any of the other stated aims of the club.

The calendar lists meeting of Industrial Workers of the World and
Friends of the Earth which are purely political groups. The Open Day
timetable included a presentation by Plane Stupid, who harass and bully
holidaymakers travelling by air, and some of whose members have been
convicted as a result.

Worse still, the Digital Desparados group, who operate an openly stated
policy of racial discrimination, have been able to use the Electron
Club's facilities. In their own words:

"A: This course is for young women of colour aged 16 – 30.......By women
of colour we mean all non white women, for example south asian, mixed,
first nations, black, south pacific islander, latina, roma, asian etc.
etc."

This plays into the hands of the BNP, who exploit this sort of
discrimination for their own political gain. Surely all Electron Club
activities should be open to all, regardless of race, colour or gender
(or indeed disability or sexual orientation)? 

Groups and activities such as Green Map, Fablabs, Maker Fair and SOLDER
are entirely appropriate and in keeping with the EC's aims. However I
find
all this political activity and discrimination what should be a
basically non-political organisation offputting. To my mind the EC would
be far more successful and attractive to new members it was
non-political and equally accessible to
all. 

How do others feel?


Jim