What?

#StopHatredNow is an anti-racist and intersectionally feminist platform whose purpose is to create a new multivoiced feminist discourse about anti-racism, inclusivity and diversity within art and culture. Multivoiced feminist discourse means that we do not aim at a consensus. There must be space for new viewpoints and experiences, but the atmosphere must also remain respectful, safe and inclusive. The platform initiated by UrbanApa and Sonya Lindfors is the creation of several organisations. Other organisers include: Cultural Centre Caisa, Zodiak – Center for New Dance, ARMA, Culture for All, Goethe Institut, Global Art Point, ArtEqual and Interkult ry. The platform is facilitated by Sonya Lindfors, Wisam Elfadl, Martina Marin, Kemê Pellicer and Monica Gathuo. Wilhelmina Sederholm acts as the event’s producer and project coordinator.

No one should make assumptions of or question someone’s background, gender or experiences. Everyone has the right to share what they feel is necessary and meaningful about themselves.

Every actor on the platform (artists, producers, technical staff, facilitators and other content producers) is treated equally and respectfully. Discrimination and any kind of harassment, sexual or otherwise, are strictly forbidden. This includes language. We do not use discriminatory, subordinating, repressive or offensive terminology (different slurs and invectives), not even in examples or to describe something.

Freedom and responsibility

The platform is based on trust and the freedom of doing, but also on responsibility. The facilitators are responsible for the event as a whole, but every host is responsible for their own programme. This means that these ethical guidelines have been observed and every participant and guest is aware of them. In conflict situations, the production team of #StopHatredNow has the right to intervene in a programme’s content.

We are not perfect, and sometimes (or often) we fail. We, therefore, urge everyone to take responsibility for their words, actions and even failures. Dealing with complex and painful things can be emotional. A few pieces of advice regarding this:

• in accordance with intersectional ways of working, it is good to acknowledge your own privileges
  
• we come from different experiences, cultures and situations in life, we differ in opinion
  
• we acknowledge that language is imperfect and we are bound to have misunderstandings: sometimes we use different words to describe the same things, or vice versa, same words to describe different things
  
• we recognise and acknowledge our blind spots
  
• sometimes we utter painful things through emotion, but this should not lessen the importance of the message
  
• we seek to interact with others respectfully despite our differences of opinion
  
• we disagree on things, criticise structures and working methods, but we treat other people with respect
  
• at times, it is good to take a small break and just breathe
  
• at times, we need outside help to make sense of things
  
• at times, “sorry, I acted offensively, I will think on it and do better next time” is a good start
  
  

What is discrimination?

A simple definition of discrimination is that a person is treated unfavourably, or someone’s character is defamed in a way that is connected to at least one of the following grounds:

• gender
• transgender identity or non-normative gender expression
• cultural or ethnic background
• religion or other conviction
• functional ability
• sexual orientation
• age
• nationality
• origin
• language
• appearance

Discrimination can be direct or indirect. Inadequate accessibility, harassment (sexual or otherwise) and instigation of discriminatory practices are also types of discrimination.

What is harassment/sexual harassment?

Everyone has the right to not be sexually harassed while they’re working, regardless of whether the harasser is a facilitator, employer, colleague, guest or another content producer. Harassment is an action that offends a person’s honour and is tied to one or more of the grounds of discrimination mentioned above.

Harassment can be holding someone up to ridicule, or demeaning generalisations that are connected to grounds of discrimination. Harassment can also by nature be sexual. In addition to comments and words, this can include unwanted touching, meaningful glances, groping, jokes, suggestions and sexual images. It can include sexually-toned language. It can also include unwanted compliments, invitations or innuendos. Sexual harassment differs from normal flirting in that the former is unwanted. The target of harassment determines whether or not the behaviour is offensive and defamatory.

Finally, we wish to remind everyone of the importance of dreaming 🙂

This platform is born from the need to find soft, breathable, pleasurable, gentle, loving, playful, odd, fragile, undetermined, meandering and solidary platforms where we can work side by side, different but equal. We have different wants and needs, different energies and capacities, our own aches and confusions, but might we still celebrate, cheer and support each other?

We’re incredibly happy that you’re creating this with us.

With love: Sonya, Wisam, Martina, Monica, Kemê, Wilhelmina and the entire #StopHatredNow team