I left here once before, by invitation of the owner, as one of the "womens studies" outlaws. I came back when I saw reasons to hope that change had happened here: more women on the front page, more women speaking up in comments without frat boy type attacks, and I saw Black Kos taking hold, with such strong and badly needed voices, as well as progress in the acceptance of LBTG as a valued group.
I joined Black Kos and what an valuable education I received: my history books held none of what they had to teach me. I was so warmly welcomed by all there.
But my heart has slowly grown heavier as I watched what has gone on, and how much crap they have had to put up with over time. And ever so slowly, one by one by one, I've watched them leave. I wonder if the 3% is still accurate, or is it less now? Is this site 97% white, or 99% white, as I saw elsewhere tonight?
So I will join this boycott, and am not at all sure I will return. I can't see how this can ever be changed from the bottom up. I think the only way this site will ever be truly welcoming to minority voices is for change to come from the top down, and it's pretty hard to imagine that happening at this point in time.
I just know don't fit on an mostly white male website. I am far to enamored of different colors of skin, and all kinds of voices and dialects and perceptions. I want to see through other peoples lens, feel through other peoples hearts, not just my own, so I can keep on learning, keep on growing.
It's not going to be easy to stay away from all the people I care a lot about, but being here lately is really taking me down. I need to spend some time in more colorful, more hopeful places in this next week.
Wishing well to all.