Karen WyldMost social media platforms do not respond adequately to reports relating to racism or harassment that's specifically anti-Indigenous - including Mastodon.
There are very few Indigenous mods & admins on Mastodon. Speaking up puts a target on our backs, so anti-Indigenous abuse and behaviour needs to be combatted by everyone.
So, some tips for #MastoAdmin and mods when receiving reports about racism, abuse and harassment targeted at #Indigenous people - from an Indigenous mod from so-called Australia with both lived and professional experience:
1. In addition to universal slurs & offensive terms used against Indigenous people, there's also geographical terms. If in doubt, seek advice.
2. Non-Indigenous people questioning an Indigenous person's identity, culture, connections, lived experiences, appearance etc is racist.
3. The above behaviour is sometimes used to fuel pile-ons. And it can also be gaslighting or DARVO. All tactics to silence Indigenous people.
4. Non-Indigenous people referring to "blood quantum" [sic] or light skin appearance to silence, abuse, harass or mock an Indigenous person is highly racist.
5. Racist behaviour of centralists or leftists is often masked by paternalism, sealioning, reply-guying or whitesplaining.
6. There is no such thing as "causal" racism - it's all racism.
7. Things bystanders/racist apologists do that make situations worse - a) offering support to the abusers, or joining in the pile-on. b) replying to Indigenous people in support of the abuser: "I didn't see any racism" "You're the racist" "Get help for your trauma" "Your not Indigenous" "They're always nice to me" "They're an ally, so be nicer to them".
8. Racism apologists sometimes use an aspect of their own or the abuser's identity to falsely argue "they can't be racist against Indigenous people because....".
9. Racism apologists are racists.
10. Racists will sometimes reposition their attacks on an Indigenous person to appearance or size shaming, classism, education, or location (ie city vs rural) - this is an attempt to mask their racist abuse so they don't lose followers.
11. Outspoken Indigenous people, or those with a public profile (ie journalists, authors, actors, politicians, activists, academics) are targeted on social media platforms. Believe us when we make reports or speak up, as we are familiar with all the tactics racists use - online and offline.
Ardainian Hebrew Israelite
Leyonhjelm
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