Here’s to the struggle.

I don’t understand your last comment about integrity, though. Can you explain? Acting with integrity, by expressing one’s opinions honestly and openly, is exactly what I am advocating.

Culture might have to do a lot with it as well, in general Dutch are more individualistic then others and have less nationalistic pride (except when its about football). To compare this to the other end: Chinese for example will never admit anything bad about they country and are very proud about it towards foreigners (in the meanwhile they can have some pretty critical discussions between themselves to be complete).

Lets say most cultures are something in between there. :-) And for reference lets say I am probably one of the more individualistic Dutch and write from that viewpoint. Which is likely a small minority.

But more to the point, some people are very sensitive to be offended (you see that within ubuntu a lot). Besides troubling themselves with this, they also trouble the “offenders” if they get a majority. Now this doesn’t sound as much of a problem if it where not that everyone has its own perception about what is offending.

If “People “”who are offended all the time”" from one particular culture” have a big say in things they will start forcing others out. That might be nice for that group but if that happens in Ubuntu, Ubuntu will definitely lose the Ubuntu spirit.

So I believe there should be focus not only on not offending others (to a particular degree) but also the understanding that others have a different view on things which is also “right”. And thus respecting that even if it offends you.

I hope my example about the different cultures earlier supports this opinion. Also lets take culture in a broad meaning here and of every kind.

It will probably never happen but if your talking about to make the world a better place (or the little ubuntu part of it) I did want to express this.

I have the feeling you are fighting against “the culture of men who look down on women”. Or maybe better said: you fight for “the culture of equality of men and woman”. With a little positive discrimination for women added there. :-)

Anyway its difficult to find the balance between not offending others, not being offended by others and respecting each other.

That said Ubuntu’s community’s success is likely because background culture of the people who participate doesn’t really matter. Its about something technical, cool, a big positive vibe and creates a culture of its own. Something to which many people of many cultures can relate to. Just don’t confuse keeping this positive attitude with defining what is right or wrong to say or do.

In the end I just feel that I am proving your point about not letting views of particular cultures show up in the documentation and other ubuntu communication. Except for this: Same for you too! :-)

End of my brain fart. :-)

Choosing Free Software is part of that, being open to people in general regardless of gender, race, religion, … is another.

A good post, and this applies to all forms of discrimination be it racism, sexism, …, we need to step up and say no.