Well put, Ria. We are part of an organization that is, by essence, established to promote communication and positive interaction among people. Young people, especially, are interested in the same thing ... hence their intense dedication to social media. Yet amateur radio isn't garnering the interest of today's youth. Part of the problem is their perception of what an amateur radio operator is. Go to a club meeting virtually anywhere and the group is made up of older white males. All of us recognize that problem. We are seeking relevance to a broad population. Taking a stand that is in line with a majority of young people would, to my mind, help us get there. And such an action would match that taken by many non-profits -- my email box if full of such declarations. Art K0AIZ On 6/6/2020 11:01 PM, rjairam@gmail.com wrote:
"What can the ARRL do to change this in your view when we are subject to those that join?"
The Mintz and Hoke presentation showing only white men was (and is) also an issue. Amateur radio is not 100% white, so we can't even say that the personas were representative of ARRL membership.
Complaints I got about a black woman on the cover of On The Air magazine is another example.
These are two, of many more.
We need to be leading, not following the demographic trend. That's how real change is made.
It's not even just about race. It's about breaking away today's demographic of ham radio. Young people don't want to have anything to do with the ARRL, even those who somehow managed to get interested in amateur radio. Go to reddit r/amateurradio and see why. Young people need only one negative experience to turn them away. Thankfully we have a few who take positive steps to uplift and support youth programs. But it isn't enough, and it stems from a deep misunderstanding of the demographics. The same is true with everything else.
Ria N2RJ
On Sat, 6 Jun 2020 at 23:45, Mark J Tharp <kb7hdx@gmail.com> wrote:
Your experience with a local VE team can not be expected to encompass the political and or racial face of the league. I would say the group you tried to test with had an issue, and not knowing all the details, I don't know why the ARRL president would have needed to be involved. The VEC should have been able to handle the issue, and again, I don't know what that would have to do with this current situation.
Not saying I don't have sympathy for the problem you experienced, but I think these are two completely different issues.
Who did you contact at HQ in the VEC, and who was President at the time? Perhaps some are still in the loop, and could answer the question about your issue.
"Right now it looks and feels like an old white boys club, because largely it is."
What can the ARRL do to change this in your view when we are subject to those that join? We reach out to all amateurs regardless of race, gender etc. and yet are subject to criticism due to the average gender, race, and any other diferenting specifics of those who join?
I think we, the ARRL, ARE very welcoming to all. In my opinion.
Mark, HDX
On Sat, Jun 6, 2020 at 6:21 PM rjairam@gmail.com <rjairam@gmail.com> wrote:
Mark,
I have to disagree big time here.
My first experience with the ARRL was one of exclusion - exclusion from an ARRL VE session because I did not have a US social security number. The people I contacted at ARRL up to the President didn’t seem to care nor know what to do.
The ARRL and ham radio cannot answer truthfully that it is committed to being welcoming to all. Right now it looks and feels like an old white boys club, because largely it is.
Ria N2RJ
On Sat, Jun 6, 2020 at 8:56 PM Mark J Tharp <kb7hdx@gmail.com> wrote:
Personally, I think this is an attempt to gain support for a cause that does not involve the ARRL. We have no dog in this fight. I do not think we should be involved in a response for a racial situation. We have never, nor shall we ever be, racially skewed, and to put out a message that we support, or do not support, a specific incident puts us in another class of organization. One geared towards a political front.
In the 31 years I have been a ham, I have NEVER seen a racial twist on anything the league or any ham organization has been involved with.
I would say we are considering your request, and will take it under advisement.
As an SM for 15 years I was asked many, many times to support, or not support various things, and you have to put the good of the whole in your mind before making a stand on things. I know I made enemies over the years not supporting certain things, and that's OK. At the end of the day, things were better by not being involved.
But that is only my opinion, and like all things, everyone has one.
Consultation with a PR firm is a good idea, and the outcome of that shared to ODV would be requested.
Mark, HDX
On Sat, Jun 6, 2020 at 3:04 PM Roderick, Rick, K5UR via arrl-odv <arrl-odv@reflector.arrl.org> wrote:
Hi all:
Yesterday evening the Officers received the email below. The Officers have been discussing what to do and decided on the following:
1. Forward a copy to ODV to assure that you knew about it. Perhaps some of you have received a similar email already or will receive one in the future.
2. Inform the Board that Barry will engage a PR firm to review and advise on:
A.) draft response to the individual
B.) whether we should issue a policy statement to ARRL members and if so what it should say
3. Share the suggestions from the PR firm with the Board so that the Board can decide on any policy action to be taken.
73, Rick - K5UR
-----Original Message----- From: Christopher Broholm <kc3mgf@gmail.com> To: K5UR@arrl.org Cc: k1twf@arrl.org; W6RGG@arrl.org; w6rod@arrl.org; n1vxy@arrl.org; K7GM@arrl.org <K7GM@ARRL.ORG>; dmiddleton@arrl.org Sent: Fri, Jun 5, 2020 7:16 pm Subject: ATTN: ARRL against racial injustice
Dear Mr. Roderick and officers of the ARRL, As you’re aware if you’ve watched the news or participate in social media, there has been a large and appropriate response to the murder of Black Americans by police officers taking place over the last several days. Our society is being traumatized by the systemic, institutional racism that pervades the structures that govern and rule our citizenry. Our Black neighbors live in fear every second of every day that their name will be the next that needs to be remembered. That their son or daughter may be the next Black citizen murdered in the streets by people who swore to protect them. As leaders, you have a responsibility to Black ARRL members and hams to openly and loudly affirm that they are safe from racism and discrimination within the ARRL. That you vehemently oppose and condemn the actions of the police officer in Minneapolis who murdered George Floyd in cold blood, along with the hundreds who went before him. I am writing to you as a fellow ham and member of your organization to request that the ARRL take a stance against racial injustice. Events over the last few weeks have caused me to reflect on what organizations I choose to support and what organizations represent me. It has also made me reflect on the hobby as a whole being a predominately white, male hobby. It is imperative, no, necessary that organizations such as yourselves take a firm stance against racism, against police brutality, against the needless killing of black people in America and to take corrective actions to address these systemic issues.
Like you, I care deeply for the future of amateur radio and for the ARRL and as such its representative body should be future-facing. I care about, and indeed you should too care about what the ARRL represents. Does it represent the status quo and everything that has brought us to this moment or does it represent the future? We should be working towards a future that empowers black voices and allows them to be heard on the air and off the air. Ask yourself how, for example, a black person interested in amateur radio would feel if the ARRL takes no stance and by its silence tacitly supports the continued genocide of black americans? Saying nothing makes you complicit in the structures of white supremacy, and alienates potential black hams from joining your organization. I want to see amateur radio thrive, and I want it to be more representative of this diverse and beautiful country. That will not happen unless the problem is recognized and addressed by everyone. I implore you to take the following actions towards being inclusive and anti racist:
Release a statement condemning recent instances of police brutality against Black Americans, and affirm your stance as being an organization that aims to be inclusive of all races. Develop a plan to address systemic racism within ARRL’s organizational structure.
Ignoring this is not an option. We do a deep disservice to ourselves by turning a blind eye and pretending that these events aren’t impacting all of us, particularly our Black members and their families.I am asking this of you because I care deeply about amateur radio. We have a responsibility and we must stay true to our values. If the ARRL is truly a great organization to be a part of, we must continue to prove it. Our members deserve this, our culture deserves this. To this end, there are many anti racism educators that make a living by doing this work and it would behoove the ARRL to pay for them to come in and teach on what is happening. I have recommendations and references for these educators. As a member, I’m ready to help craft a response. Please feel free to contact me. I look forward to being part of the response and reminding ARRL members and hams everywhere that we care about their safety, wellbeing, and right to exist and live free from racism and injustice. Sincerely, Christopher Broholm KC3MGF
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