Background
Some background first.
In December 2023, an open letter was sent to the Python Software Foundation from “organisers in the pan-African Python community… …to raise some concerns and frustrations”.
There was a response to this in March 2024 from the Python Software Foundation:
As part of a larger effort to ensure the PSF Grants Program is responsive, transparent, and more approachable, the PSF contracted Carol Willing to perform a retrospective on the DjangoCon Africa grant process. Find the retrospective on our blog.
Report Review
From our perspective, this report is disappointing.
Let me try to explain. In the report, it mentions:
The Grants Work Group discussed whether approving funds for an event in a country with harsh LGBQTIA+ laws was appropriate.
This should make one pause and ask:
- are the Grants Work Group unbiased in when they decide when to enforce this?
- are they applying this standard to other countries that aren’t in Africa?
- how do they decide what is harsh enough and what is not?
So let’s like to look at anti-DEI laws in other non-African countries.
Canada
Canada has had a “recent wave of anti-trans legislation in the country”. So much so that over 400 artists have signed an open letter against trans policies.
More than 400 Canadian artists sign open letter against anti-trans policies
In the future, will the Grants Work Group take this into account when they receive a grant application from Canada?
United States of America
What about the United States?
From the Anti-trans bill tracker for the United states:
We’re tracking 45 national bills in the United States in 2024.
In 2023, an unprecedented 37 bills were introduced at the federal level across categories like healthcare, student athletics, the military, incarceration, and education. We’ll continue to provide updates from the 118th United States Congress, which runs from 2023-2024.
https://translegislation.com/
Apparently Uganda used the US Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade in its ruling to uphold the majority of a sweeping anti-gay law that criminalizes homosexuality and same-sex marriage, and allows for convictions of up to life in prison and the death penalty in some cases.
Uganda Cited Dobbs in an Anti-LGBTQ Crackdown. Americans Should Worry Too.
In the future, will the Grants Work Group take this into account when they receive a grant application from America?
What about anti-DEI sentiment in America? Is that another reason to think more carefully about giving grants to American conferences?
The University of Florida (UF) on Friday eliminated the jobs of 13 full-time employees and ended 15 more administrative appointments for others who worked across campus on issues of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).
The move was intended to comply with a new state law championed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, who banned spending money on diversity issues at the state’s public colleges and universities. The executive branch agencies that oversee the schools had been finalizing rules for shutting down the programs since the law went into effect last summer.
“DEI is toxic and has no place in our public universities,” DeSantis said in a social media post Friday. “I’m glad that Florida was the first state to eliminate DEI and I hope more states follow suit.”
UF eliminates DEI jobs of employees working on diversity issues
You could even get arrested for speaking Spanish in the United States.
A US border patrol agent detained 2 US Citizens for the apparent crime of speaking Spanish. He admits on camera. This is what institutionalized white supremacy looks like. Its why I wasn’t surprised the racist lawyer abused two women for speaking Spanish
https://twitter.com/i/web/status/998378362983809026
It could be argued that in the future, if we are treating all nations the same, will the Grants Work Group take this into account when they receive a grant application from America?
Australia
What about Australia? They are breaching human rights as well.
Asylum seekers caught by Australia’s policy have many of their rights under international law infringed. They are subject to arbitrary arrest and detention; their freedom of movement is restricted; and for many, the conditions in which they are held amounts to torture or ill-treatment.
Human rights abuses of refugees and asylum seekers in Australia
Again, it could be argued that in the future, if we are treating all nations the same, will the Grants Work Group take this into account when they receive a grant application from Australia?
Conclusion
It is reasonable to be disappointed with the process defined in this report. It shows little understanding of the implications and the comparisons with other countries.
It goes back to the fundamental questions:
- are the Grants Work Group unbiased in when they decide when to enforce this?
- are they applying this standard to other countries that aren’t in Africa?
- how do they decide what is harsh enough and what is not?
You will find that you can make the case that very few countries will pass a high bar -whatever that bar actually is.
There needs to be more discussion about this.
NOTE: This opinion piece is a very quick review and may be updated later.
