WHAT IS EXPECTED OF YOU IN THE FMSOUP?
At the.fmsoup we want everybody to be able to participate in a positive, constructive forum.
We want the.fmsoup to be a welcoming and inclusive community. Everyone participating in the.fmsoup should be able to feel safe, respected, and comfortable in being themselves and expressing all aspects of their identities. It is a place where each person shares a sense of belonging with its other members. Behind every message is a person with their own hopes and dreams and challenges.
We want members to share their voices. We want every member to cultivate mutual respect as they strive to engage people. We encourage you to acknowledge the past and present, so that we can all move forward together with the benefits of everyone’s strengths.
When you are communicating in the.fmsoup we will expect you to respect the following four principles.
USE THOUGHTFUL LANGUAGE
Oftentimes, misunderstandings and hurt are a direct result from the language that is used. To start, there is no place for derogatory language; it is simply not okay to ever use racial or ethnic slurs, anti-semitic, homophobic, sexist language, etc. Beyond eliminating this language, though, individuals can choose to use language that is inclusive.
LEARN ABOUT, AND ELIMINATE, THE USE OF MICROAGGRESSIONS
A common definition of microaggressions are “everyday verbal, nonverbal, and environmental slights, snubs, or insults, whether intentional or unintentional, which communicate hostile, derogatory, or negative messages to target persons based solely upon their marginalized group membership.”
IDENTIFY AND ACKNOWLEDGE POTENTIAL UNCONSCIOUS BIAS
Unconscious biases are more likely to be unintentional and the speaker may be well-intentioned. Commonplaces, metaphors and clichés often preserve and normalise bias that would be unwelcome if it were expressed in direct language.
MAKE NO ASSUMPTIONS, ASK QUESTIONS, AND LISTEN!
At the core of all of these suggestions is a simple thread: in order to participate in creating a world where we treat each other well, we must take the time to learn from each other. This means being curious about learning about those who are different from ourselves, keeping an open mind and reserving judgment, and practicing the skill of deep listening. If a goal is to make each other feel valued and equal, it may mean that we spend time examining our own vulnerabilities and working to understand other perspectives.