TLDR; Yesterday I was insensitive towards Anne McCarthy and for that I deeply apologize and recognize the need to improve.
As a person who belongs to a demographic that historically holds privilege, I’ve made it a personal commitment to advocate for empathy and support towards those whose experiences differ from mine. In both my personal and professional lives, particularly within the open web community, I strive to exemplify allyship by fostering an inclusive and supportive environment. It’s crucial that people like me call out behaviors that don’t align with these values, aiming to ensure that everyone feels welcome and valued in our community so that it can be a place where the principle of “welcoming contributions from anyone” is more than just a slogan but a lived reality that I want all to experience.
Yesterday I failed to meet these expectations and, in doing so, created a negative experience for Anne McCarthy, who was facilitating the weekly devchat meeting for WordPress core.
In the heat of the moment, I overlooked crucial contextual cues from Anne and others in devchat, reacting impulsively to a topic that struck a nerve with me. The specifics of what triggered my reaction are inconsequential compared to the impact my actions had on Anne. Having served as a WordPress core Team Rep for over three years, I understand firsthand the challenges of managing an online forum and maintaining the collective focus during hour-long discussions. I’ve witnessed how certain individuals can dominate conversations, stifling diverse viewpoints and limiting the exploration of other topics. Yesterday I regrettably embodied the very behavior I wish to mitigate. I must do better.
I deeply admire and respect Anne’s incredible work with the Full Site Editing Outreach Program and their tireless efforts to enhance communication within the WordPress project and foster connections with the community. Anne’s dedication to inclusivity and collaboration serves as an inspiration to me and many others. The impact of Anne’s work on the project and the broader open web community is immeasurable. I aim to be someone who not only supports such invaluable efforts but also works to amplify them.
Anne deserves a sincere apology, and our community deserves leaders who are empathetic, supportive, and inclusive. While I aspire to be one of those leaders, it’s evident that I have room for growth.
Anne, I am genuinely sorry.
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