A Fediverse Friend of mine, and fellow Amateur Radio Operator Dr. Robert (Bud) Talbot, W0RMT, wrote an open letter to the ARRL leadership. You can read it, and the ARRL’s response, in his blog post. In his letter, he says, in part…
…I firmly believe that the future of amateur radio (and the ARRL) needs to be one of inclusivity, equity, and belonging for folks in our diverse world.
We should all be working to give voice to those who are underrepresented in our hobby (e.g., LGBTQIA+ folks and BIPOC individuals), and in doing so we will be working to create a more inclusive place. All too often, the response to such positions by amateur operators is “the hobby is open to anyone who wants to participate.” This is not helpful, nor is it true. By foregrounding and giving voice to older white males who are predominately heteronormative, and who often promote very conservative social and political thought, we are creating a space that is unwelcoming (and even hostile) to a large part of our population.”
And on the 2nd page, he suggests…
We can, and must, do better if our hobby and the ARRL are to survive and be relevant in today’s society. The League needs to promote inclusivity and equity while unequivocally calling out harassment, extremism, racism, homophobia, and sexism. A published position statement on equitable and inclusive amateur radio made by the League would be a good first step.”
Bud received a reply a few days later, and he was told that his call for a position statement on inclusive ham radio was “political” and they would make no such statement.
Huh.
Let’s look at the Radio Amateur’s Code, as published on the ARRL website, shall we?
The Radio Amateur is
CONSIDERATE…He/[She] never knowingly operates in such a way as to lessen the pleasure of others.
LOYAL…He/[She] offers loyalty, encouragement and support to other amateurs, local clubs, the IARU Radio Society in his/[her] country, through which Amateur Radio in his/[her] country is represented nationally and internationally.
PROGRESSIVE…He/[She] keeps his/[her] station up to date. It is well-built and efficient. His/[Her] operating practice is above reproach.
FRIENDLY…He/[She] operates slowly and patiently when requested; offers friendly advice and counsel to beginners; kind assistance, cooperation and consideration for the interests of others. These are the marks of the amateur spirit.
BALANCED…Radio is a hobby, never interfering with duties owed to family, job, school or community.
PATRIOTIC…His/[Her] station and skills are always ready for service to country and community.
– adapted from the original Amateur’s Code, written by Paul M. Segal, W9EEA, in 1928
Would it not be considerate to be intentionally inclusive of people who are different from ourselves?
Would it not be friendly to be welcoming and supportive of people who don’t happen to share our political or religious beliefs?
Have we not always been encouraged to extend a virtual hand of friendship to people in other countries, such as Canada, Britain, Norway, Sweden, and Italy, where they have (gasp) Socialized Medicine? Are we not supposed to make friendly contacts with people in China, Russia, Cuba, or other nations with (clutching my pearls) Communist or Socialist governments? Has it not always been suggested to keep politics completely out of our on-air conversations?
These are rhetorical questions, because I can tell you as a fellow who’s been licensed since the early ’90s, and mentored by gents who’ve been licensed since I was a toddler, the answer to all of my questions above is absolutely yes.
I vehemently contend that to be non-political is to be inclusive and non-judgmental of others, here in the US and abroad across the airwaves, regardless of their political beliefs, their religion, their lifestyle, their gender, their race, or whatever.
Who, but a right-wing staunch conservative would claim that requesting the ARRL make a statement in favor of inclusivity is “political”?
There’s another word for that reaction: projection.
Shame on you, ARRL Leadership. Please keep your politics out of it.
Interesting that gender and other categories are listed, but people with disabilities and the problem of systemic ableism and a culture of low expectations are not mentioned at all.
That’s an interesting perspective, Chris. For my part, and I might presume on the part of the author of the Open Letter (Bud T.), I submit we’re speaking from our experience. Talking about the bigotry and exclusionary behavior that has marginalized groups of people. It’s not hard for me to imagine a person with impaired vision, hearing, or mobility experiencing dismissiveness from some groups.
However, as it applies to the ARRL’s perceivable attitude/stance on the matter, I’ve not heard a complaint from disabled people. I only know one blind ham personally, and he’s highly regarded as a rock-star CW operator. When I was with the Twin Cities Repeater Club (an ARRL affiliated club) back in the ’90s, someone was appointed each year to drive a long ways to pick him up to bring him to our Field Day site. Everyone would pitch in to accommodate him in any way they could. Nobody gave him the side-eye (not that he’d notice).
Then there’s the Rochester Amateur Radio Club, also ARRL affiliated, which played a huge role in the growth of HandiHams through the years. Contrary to being subtly (or not so) exclusionary, they went out of their way to recruit new hams from the disabled community.
There’s an enthusiastic ARRL article specifically about HandiHams. Can you imagine a similar article on the ARRL website about Pride Radio Group? I cannot.
The ARRL pushed back on a suggestion that they issue a statement about inclusion of LGBTQIA+ by saying the suggestion was “political”.
They could make the same ridiculous argument that they aren’t going to say anything about HandiHams because the idea that disabled people should be actively welcomed into Amateur Radio is too “political”.
Is there an ableism problem in Amateur Radio? I have no doubt there is, to some extent or another. I’m continually learning and challenging myself in that area. But ableism is not the same problem with this specific organization that we’re discussing here. And I’ve never heard some old fart ranting on 80 meters that disabled people should “get the fuck off the air” (pardon my direct quote) – as I’ve heard them say about Democrats, Liberals, Transgenders, Gays, N-words, etc.. I have never heard that sort of bullshit on the airwaves about disabled people. So again, there may very well be a problem, but it’s not the same problem, nor at a similar level.