Black Lives Matter @BeerAdvocate

Blog Discussion in 'BeerAdvocate Talk' started by Todd, Jun 1, 2020.

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  1. Todd

    Todd Founder (13,518) Aug 23, 1996 Finland
    STAFF Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah

    I've always said that "beer is the ultimate social lubricant." It brings people from all walks of life together and BeerAdvocate has been a place to gather for over two decades now.

    We've done our best to welcome everyone, but unfortunately some of our users aren't overly welcoming and some are straight up racists. And despite our terms of service forbidding content that's "defamatory, abusive, hateful, threatening...likely to offend, contains...objectionable content," we still have users who post thinly veiled racist comments, drop racial slurs, and openly express their hate at times. This has resulted in deleted posts, warnings, and bans depending on the infraction, and we've probably been too lenient at times (i.e., deleting a post instead of banning the user), but that stops now. Any form of racism will be met with a ban without warning. Doesn't matter who you are, how many times you've posted, how many beer reviews you have, how long you've been on the site, or if you were "just joking around." Racism will not be tolerated at BeerAdvocate.

    Some of you might think that I'm being too political, but this has nothing to do with politics. This is a human rights issue and it's critical that we reinforce our rules and let Black people know that BeerAdvocate is a safe place to hangout, that we have their backs, and that we're serious in taking action against racism.

    How can you help? If you see racism, bigotry, or other forms of hate on the site, DO NOT take the bait by engaging. Instead, report the user/content or send me a direct message. Let our moderators handle it. Speaking of which, I'm actively seeking Black people to join our volunteer mod team. Interested? Drop me a DM for details.

    I realize that this isn't going to change the world, but it's a necessary step in the right direction if we want to create an even better BeerAdvocate community and one that truly welcomes everyone.

    Be safe out there.

    Sincerely,

    Todd Alström
    Founder, BeerAdvocate

    ###

    Update: https://www.beeradvocate.com/commun...atter-beeradvocate.640795/page-9#post-6923445
     
    #1 Todd, Jun 1, 2020
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  2. FBarber

    FBarber Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,325) Mar 5, 2016 Illinois
    Mod Team BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    I shuddered when I saw the thread title, but was pleasantly surprised when I opened it and read what you wrote @Todd - bravo sir!
     
    #2 FBarber, Jun 1, 2020
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  3. nc41

    nc41 Initiate (0) Sep 25, 2008 North Carolina
    Trader

    Unfortunately the far left and far right radicals see it as an opportunity for their agenda. It’s a sad sight for this country. I’ve never seen anything racial on this site though.
     
    #3 nc41, Jun 1, 2020
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  4. Todd

    Todd Founder (13,518) Aug 23, 1996 Finland
    STAFF Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah

    That's because the community reports it and the mod team takes action as quickly as possible, but it definitely exists.
     
    #4 Todd, Jun 1, 2020
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  5. eppCOS

    eppCOS Grand Pooh-Bah (4,570) Jun 27, 2015 Colorado
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    A most welcome move, @Todd and @Jason - - and thank you for correctly framing this as "not politics" but human rights, humanity, and being humane to each other.
    GIANT clap.
    :thinking_face::+1::beers:
     
    #5 eppCOS, Jun 1, 2020
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  6. JayORear

    JayORear Grand Pooh-Bah (3,058) Feb 22, 2012 California
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Thanks for this, Todd!
     
    #6 JayORear, Jun 1, 2020
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  7. SierraNevallagash

    SierraNevallagash Initiate (0) Sep 23, 2018 Maine
    Trader

    I can gladly say that I haven't personally witnessed racism in any form on BeerAdvocate, but unfortunately, I can't say that I'm all too shocked - which is terrible, because it is most certainly a shocking matter. BeerAdvocate aside, and its place to be an open, friendly, supportive, and welcoming community for all, this is definitely a topic that people all too often just look the other way on, while thinking, "well it's not my problem". Racism is a social problem. A world problem. A human problem, and therefore it should be the responsibility of each and every single one of us to tackle this head-on, and actively stand up and do something about it. I'm glad to see the issue acknowledged, and the rules and expectations made clear. We're all adults here, and it's 2020 for god's sake. There is no place for racism in modern society, and this shouldn't even be an issue within a community full of advocates.

    Be kind to each other, regardless of race, creed, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, occupation, or personal beliefs. Just be kind to each other. Respect beer, respect people. R-E-S-P-E-C-T!

    Cheers everyone.
     
    #7 SierraNevallagash, Jun 1, 2020
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  8. flat_lander

    flat_lander Pooh-Bah (2,490) May 11, 2016 Illinois
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    You haven't? I see it semi-regularly and often from a few members. Typically thinly veiled as Todd noted. I'd just block them, but you know, keep your friends close and your enemies closer and all that. If it looks like a duck, quacks like a duck, it's probably a duck.

    Swing that banhammer against these shitbags @Todd .
     
    #8 flat_lander, Jun 1, 2020
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  9. John_M

    John_M Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,849) Oct 25, 2003 Washington
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    While I whole heartedly support and appreciate this post, unfortunately I think enforcement is going to be a lot easier said than done. Many racial slurs and commentary are so over the top obvious, no one would have any difficulty recognizing them for what they are. However, I've seen examples on BA of reported racial and homophobic observations that were pretty thinly veiled, to the point I had to read them over several times before concluding that they might be homophobic or racially motivated. Likewise, I've seen accusations of bigotry and racist commentary in various threads where I personally felt the author was simply being overly sensitive or didn't know what he/she was talking about.
     
    #9 John_M, Jun 1, 2020
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  10. Todd

    Todd Founder (13,518) Aug 23, 1996 Finland
    STAFF Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah

    This is something that I'll address with the mod team.
     
    #10 Todd, Jun 1, 2020
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  11. JayORear

    JayORear Grand Pooh-Bah (3,058) Feb 22, 2012 California
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    And those are those most pernicious.
     
    #11 JayORear, Jun 1, 2020
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  12. rocdoc1

    rocdoc1 Maven (1,265) Jan 13, 2006 New Mexico
    Society

    As a moderator for another group if we can even imagine a person is posting anything political, racist, defamatory we ban them. No gray areas, no "open to interpretation"-they are gone. Y'all can do it, i have faith.
     
    #12 rocdoc1, Jun 1, 2020
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  13. cavedave

    cavedave Grand Pooh-Bah (4,157) Mar 12, 2009 New York
    In Memoriam Pooh-Bah Trader

    Ignore button works well, I recommend it. But I think I may unignore all I have blocked, and start reporting them instead. Or perhaps now there will be no need, as they all "get the message"?
     
    #13 cavedave, Jun 1, 2020
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  14. Mister_Faucher

    Mister_Faucher Initiate (0) Dec 3, 2014 Washington

    Thank God you put this out there. I come to this page to talk beer with like minded individuals. If I wanted to deal with racism, politics and the sort I'd go to the Ish-show known as Facebook.

    Thank you Todd!
     
    #14 Mister_Faucher, Jun 1, 2020
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  15. jloomis

    jloomis Pundit (960) Jan 6, 2010 Florida
    Trader

    Well done Todd.
    Thank you for expressing your views and taking a stand.
     
    #15 jloomis, Jun 1, 2020
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  16. nc41

    nc41 Initiate (0) Sep 25, 2008 North Carolina
    Trader

    No never, I’m assuming as Todd says it’s quickly addressed.
     
    #16 nc41, Jun 1, 2020
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  17. Sabtos

    Sabtos Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,920) Dec 15, 2015 Ohio
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    This is a hard line, and I'm behind it. Kudos.
     
    #17 Sabtos, Jun 1, 2020
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  18. sulldaddy

    sulldaddy Grand Pooh-Bah (5,716) Apr 6, 2003 Connecticut
    Mod Team BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader


    I applaud this stance and post. While it probably wont change the world, it does take action in this small corner of our world.
    As allies we cant just sit back and be silent, we need to oppose any sort of racism or hate that we come across in our lives.

    It is all of these small stances and actions that can add up to a large wave of societal change that we need to protect our fellow humans from hate at any level and on any forum.

    Thank you @Todd and @Jason for taking a strong stance on the issue.
     
    #18 sulldaddy, Jun 1, 2020
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  19. Eddiehop

    Eddiehop Pooh-Bah (2,122) Jun 28, 2014 Texas
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Glad to see this. I think most of us come here to the site to get away from all the other nonsense on social media.
     
    #19 Eddiehop, Jun 1, 2020
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  20. IGaveYouPower

    IGaveYouPower Savant (1,070) Dec 2, 2010 New York
    Trader

    This rules, and good on BA for taking this step. If you're not in full support of this, it's probably because you're part of the problem.
     
    #20 IGaveYouPower, Jun 1, 2020
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