Vulnerable parts of our community coming forward with their experiences allowing us to understand the pain they experienced due to tone deaf comments and actions by those that were held in high esteem.
I would like the community to be welcoming to people of every background. Actions and comments that constitute harassment absolutely should not be tolerated, especially from those who are entrusted with power.
Funny anecdote. Paul Steed (RIP) was notorious for conducting himself in a manner that was akin to RMS x20 in all manner of professional (let alone social) settings. Game developer conferences, company-adjacent deathmatches and lan parties, etc. His lewd comments and actions went far, far beyond any parody you could possibly think of for RMS's offer for "tender embraces".
Thing is, nobody complained - even posthumously. There is a fair argument to be made that this is due to the fact that he looked like Paul Steed.
Actions and comments don't constitute harassment in a vacuum. That is a judgement that is up to the recipient of said actions and comments.
I don't think we should be obligated to read everybody's mind at all times. The only standards communication should be held to is honesty and good will.
Strawman argument. Nobody's arguing this.
The expectation is not perfection, but a certain minimum standard of respect and understanding from those who hold power.
Nobody is asking for him to be imprisoned over his comments. But his comments and actions have clearly shown that he lacks the skills required to be in a leadership position in the community.
If I can speak casually for a second I have no doubt that if they oust RMS they’d replace him with a diversity hire who simply is not singlemindedly focused on free software enough to actually fight like they need to. I think it’s really easy to underestimate the extent to which being absurdly logical to a fault and incredibly principled is critical for success in RMS’ position, and that’s what he offers warts and all. You don’t have to like the guy, you can think he’s a dick, but can we at least agree that he does mot have a track record of being malicious and at least half the controversial things he’s said aren’t even unreasonable they’re just the things you’re not supposed to say