I recently got kicked off the FB group by the admins because of a post I made of a Black Lives Matter sign I created on my Lowrider 2. I really wish I took screenshots of the blatant racist and ignorant comments that post got. Absolutely unbelievable. Can we, as a maker community have the decency to condemn these types of acts or will we stand by as the creator of this community stays in silence to save business?
I am truly ashamed to be part of this group of people and I just wanted to make this post here as well before (most probably) I will get the boot from here too.
I will not stop until Ryan makes a public statement about where he stands.
This is not politics people, this is an act of human decency and standing up for whatâs right. Itâs a social issue and history is watching.
I think it may depend on the tone in which you posted it. Ryan does like to keep things politics-free. And while I agree with you that this has gone well beyond politics, this isnât really the forum for social activism. Posting pictures of BLM work youâve made as examples of work youâve done on V1-designed machines is one thing, but proselytizing is another.
For what itâs worth, I almost left the community a while back when someone posted pics of their 3% plaque. As far as Iâm concerned, thatâs about the most thinly veiled racist dog whistle out there, but it was posted as an example of the detailed carving the machine was capable of, and all the discussions revolved around that alone. Iâve also bitten my tongue re: some â2nd Amendmentâ paraphernalia thatâs been shown off. But again, it was never with an explicit message, just as examples of the work thatâs being done. And for some, I think it may also come down to what they can sell.
So thatâs as far as Iâll get on to a soapbox around here (unless youâre talking about CNC safety or the like), and Iâll probably get a strongly worded private message or two anywayâŚ
But not bringing it up in this space isnât ignoring it. If youâll give him some time to sort out his own thoughts, Iâm sure @vicious1 will post his views on the subject, and then politely ask that everyone remember that this space is for CNC-related discussions. In no way is anyone suggesting that the matter be ignored or that it isnât of extreme importance. This just isnât the venue for those discussions. It could be, I suppose. Perhaps this will be the thread that he lets stand with⌠social/political/racial discussions. But most people here are looking for CNC content, not the same content they can find on most decent news channels.
If respectfully asked, I will provide my views on a number of aspects of equality in the spirit of an exchange of views in an appropriate forum, but at my age and with my experience I doubt that such a conversation has the power to change minds. I do not feel this CNC support community is the appropriate forum for that conversation.
If demanded by someone to make a statement, I would question the demanderâs right to compel my speech. Or just remain quiet. Which is what I intend to do on this topic from this point on.
I profoundly appreciate how this forum is able to keep focus on a topic that unites across divisions. It has actually been important to me, on a deeply personal level, to be a part of a community that is not political or ideological. I feel like all spheres of life and society is more and more polarized and politicesed. Conflict is everywhere, even here on the north pole.
Therefore, I find it a big relief to spend time here and find shelter from a tumultous world.
BUT - then again, can we ever hide from reality? If my brother/friend/colleague became victim of racism or other unjustice, I would want the whole world to know. George Floyd IS our brother. Thats my deeply held conviction. Itâs difficult to keep both thoughts in our heads at the same timeâŚ
And like most people, you immediately jumped on someone that doesnât think the same as you.
You made the request that the owner of a company comes out and makes a statement. One that he may not feel needed to be said. Honestly, I havenât seen anyone show any sign of any racist remark on this site yet.
This is also a global site and a global community. Should he need to address something that for the most part is a local issue brought out by local politics? Should he be having to make remarks about other political issues going around other parts of the world?
You have the right to ask whatever you want. I have the right to ask why should we discuss that here. And Ryan should have the right to say/do whatever heâd like on his forum about his product. He shouldnât be called out publicly to âmake a statementâ. If you feel like Ryan needed to say/do something, you should have sent him a PM.
It is kinda a global thing, now⌠Theyâre yelling âI canât breatheâ in the UK, Germany, Australia, etc., etc. @turbinbjorn is probably replying right now about protests above the Arctic CircleâŚ
There are strong forces everywhere, that want to put gasoline on the culture war fire. Personally, I initiated a big rally in my small home town, when there was a racist nazi killing in Norway, in 99. Maybe half the town showed up. Iâve been a social activist since teenager. I still go to rallies. But right now, I get a bad taste in my mouth when there are conflicts on any social issues. Racism is wrong, period. But I really really donât want to bring the culture war to this place. The culture war is not about social justice, itâs about dividing people, separating us from each other. How can we oppose the culture war and oppose what is blantantly wrong? I donât know the answer to this.
Anyone who thinks racism is OK should be jumped on. Itâs not even up for discussion, youâre always going to be wrong no matter what your argument is. It really is that simple. I tweeted at Ryan, to which he just shrugged me off and remained silent.
In this context there are two sides: Racists vs. Anti-racists. War to not be war means peace has to be achieved. For that to work, all it needs to happen is for the Racists to become Anti-Racists. What would the Anti-Racists need to do? Shut up? The onus is still on the Racists.
