[OSM-talk] Racist, insulting and abusive comments on OSM related channels

[Bert -Araali- Van Opstal]

Dear all,

This is a call to our whole community,

I have become only recently active on OSM's community channels. I am 
very welcomed, respected on the various talk pages, and I appreciate that.
The past month I have been following different alternative channels, 
Telegram groups, WhatsApp groups, and... Discord.
All of them using the OSM name, which for me stands as a quality mark, 
not just as a trade mark. Being channels that respect, values and 
understands different cultures, different opinions, promotes decent and 
democratic principles, respect the "etiquette" required of calling 
yourself an OSM contributor, a member of this community.

However, what I see on Discord, all under the OSM trade name, sorry for 
the word... is disgusting.
Whole communities being insulted (words I don't even dare to use), 
remarks of non-English communities making "dumb" remarks, vote lobbying 
for and against proposals because they are made by "another" countries 
community member, it's nearing to hate speech... really disgusting.

The ones who are on these channels know who and what I am talking about, 
I kindly ask you, stop this please.  This is not welcome, highly 
inappropriate and not how you communicate with your fellow human beings, 
your fellow OSM contributor. Stop, go and look in the mirror, and ask 
yourself what am I doing, is this how I want to be known in a worldwide 
peaceful community ?

I didn't file a compliant at the DWG, I didn't call this subject to be 
handled in the OSMF board (yet), I first call in this channel, and 
everyone who experiences the same, feels the same discussed, speak out, 
comment on this channel, because I don't want to be associated with a 
channel that uses the OSM name where by some, not all not the majority, 
but some, disguise and dis-value what we stand for.
And please, don't call names in your comments, it's not limited to 
people from one country particular, one community. Just express your 
concerns, and when this behaviour doesn't change, we as a community can 
and will take action, identify the malicious minds and practices, and 
remand or ban them. Let your comment be their first warning.

Kind regards,

Bert Araali

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