RE: paleonet Sexual Harassment String

["David Kopaska-Merkel" <davidkm@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

One wonders if a workshop on consciousness-raising, perhaps led by one who
does such things on a regular basis, would be a welcome addition to a major
meeting. Most CR used to be for women only, but we all need to have our eyes
opened at one time or another.

David  


David C. Kopaska-Merkel
Geological Survey of Alabama
P.O. Box 869999
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-----Original Message-----
From: paleonet-owner@nhm.ac.uk [mailto:paleonet-owner@nhm.ac.uk] On Behalf
Of Judith Harris
Sent: Thursday, October 19, 2006 6:41 PM
To: paleonet@nhm.ac.uk
Subject: Re: paleonet Sexual Harassment String

Thank you Norm. I agree that the personal issue does not need to be
discussed. This is being taken care of.

The general problem is one is which consciences need to be raised. I guess
that is happening to some degree.

Judith


judith harris
professor emerita
Univ of Colorado Museum
harrisj@valornet.com
505-756-1813



On Oct 19, 2006, at 1:57 PM, N. MacLeod wrote:

> Every now and again the discussion on PaleoNet drifts onto a topic 
> that leaves some list members feeling uncomfortable. This Josh Smith 
> String is one of those. Of course, the standard advice we give when 
> people raise a question regarding whether a topic is appropriate for a 
> list dedicated to discussing any all all things paleontological is to 
> point out they can always exercise their right not the read any of the 
> comments made about any particular topic. That pertains to this string 
> too. However, there is another aspect to this issue we may want to 
> consider. Resignations can be accompanied by legal actions and it may 
> be the case that informal talk on the list about any particular 
> individual's actions--past, present, or future--could influence the 
> outcome of such actions should any of the parties decide to pursue 
> matters through the courts. There are procedures in place in most 
> universities, museums, government offices, etc. to resolve such 
> disputes on the basis of evidence, not allegations, innuendo, and/or 
> gossip. PaleoNet just isn't the place to discuss the particulars of 
> any individual case.
>
> That having been said, discussions of how women in our profession are 
> treated is perfectly pertinent for discussion on PaleoNet, at least in 
> my opinion. All my career I've heard stories about this sort of thing.
> In a few
> cases I've had the misfortune of seeing what it does to the people 
> involved.
> It's not a pretty sight. I think it bothers most of us, male as well 
> as female, both as paleontologists and as people. It damn well should!
> But it's
> also true we really don't discuss our professional responsibilities in 
> this area as much as we should. I'd suggest we try to confine our 
> discussions on this topic to the need for the consciousness of 
> everyone in the field to be raised, what special professional 
> responsibilities we must manage (e.g., co-ed fieldwork), what 'best 
> practice' look like in these areas, and how we can best support those 
> who feel themselves subject to any form of intimidation and/or 
> harassment irrespective of the the stage of their career.
>
> Norm MacLeod
>
>
>
> ___________________________________________________________________
>
> Prof. Norman MacLeod
> Keeper of Palaeontology
> The Natural History Museum
> Cromwell Road, London, SW7 5BD
>
>
> (0)207 942-5204 (Office)
> (0)207 942-5546 (Fax)
> http://www.nhm.ac.uk//research-curation/staff-directory/
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>
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