Highlighting Some of Our Leaders in the Linux Kernel

[Deb Nicholson]

URL: https://sfconservancy.org/blog/2018/sep/20/kernelLeaders/

This week has shown two interesting events related to Linux. Yesterday,
the New Yorker published an article pointing out that abusive behavior
in the Linux project specifically has created an unfriendly and
unwelcoming environment for underrepresented groups. Linus Torvalds,
Linux Foundation Fellow and leader of the Linux project, after having
been contacted by the New Yorker in connection with the article,
admitted his past behavior has been problematic and is taking time off
from the project.

While these moves are a step forward, they cannot alone change the
problematic culture we have in technology generally, and Free and Open
Source Software (FOSS) in particular. One press article and one leader
temporarily stepping aside can only take one small step toward
reversing decades of unfriendly culture, where abusive language and
conflict are often considered the appropriate way to resolve disputes.
We at Conservancy, particularly in its Outreachy project, do our best
to help improve this situation for FOSS.

Outreachy provides mentors and coordinators a method and process to
promote inclusive culture in their FOSS projects. Our program would not
be possible without a lot of key FOSS contributors who behave
professionally and are deeply committed to improving the situation. We
thank all the people who have contributed to great experiences for
Outreachy mentees and hope that recent news helps more people in the
community take heart that change is possible. I contacted a few of
these people to highlight here.
picture of Vaishali Thakkar

Vaishali Thakkar, Outreachy internship graduate who now co-coordinates
of kernel internships commented:

"Outreachy is the best thing that has ever happened to me. I came from
an education system where asking questions didn't always end up in
positive encounters but rather we were made fun of because not knowing
things isn't normal. My first friendly encounters with bunch of mentors
in outreachy kernel mailing list also helped me to understand that open
learning and open education is not only normal here [in open source]
but is also something you are celebrated for. Which was really a huge
thing for me at that time because it helped me to build my confidence
and make my space in the open source industry.

Lately, I've been giving a lot of Linux Kernel contribution workshops
in Indian universities [offline] and in Kenya [online] to spread the
word about the wonderful opportunities the program provides with a hope
to increase more diverse set of contributors in the kernel community.
Outreachy is touching so many lives at so many levels ranging from
giving equal pay opportunity to people traditionally underrepresented
in open source to help building a welcoming and diverse communities. My
motivation for volunteering as a coordinator is merely an expression of
saying thanks to all wonderful people who has helped me reach at where
I am today and also about enjoying a feeling that comes from playing a
role in building welcoming communities together."
picture of Shraddha Barke

Shraddha Barke, who is also an Outreachy internship graduate and now
co-coordinates kernel internships with the Outreachy project added:

"During my undergrad, I was desperately looking for opportunities to
work on real problems. That's when I got the chance to intern with
Outreachy and that exposed me to the wonderful Linux community and gave
me lifelong mentors and friends. Julia Lawall has mentored me for the
past few years, right from Outreachy to my graduate school. Outreachy
opened more doors for me than I could've imagined.

My motivation to volunteer stems from the feeling to give back to the
community that has given me so much. Outreachy provides a supportive
platform for people underrepresented in technology. I love knowing that
I'm playing a small role in the worldwide impact Outreachy is having
today! And I'm excited to see how big it will grow. :)"
picture of Julia Lawall

Julia Lawall, who has previously coordinated Outreachy participation in
Linux, and continues to mentor noted:

"As a former teacher and as a researcher, I have observed that many
female students who start in computer science become discouraged and
drop out during or after their studies. Thus, complementarily to my
research activities, over the past four years, I have been active as a
mentor and then as the coordinator for Linux for the Outreachy
Internship program. Providing female students in computer science with
the opportunity to interact with and get feedback from top-quality
well-known developers helps build their confidence making it possible
to move beyond the inevitable discouraging moments. There were 71
applications for Linux internships while I was coordinator for Linux,
and 30 internships offered. After their internships, interns have
gotten jobs at companies such as Red Hat, Intel, Bloomberg, Oracle and
Collabora. Several interns have instead opted for further studies,
including two who are starting as PhD students at UCSD and Columbia
this fall. Former interns have also been active in outreach, both
through informal events that they have organized on their own and
through Outreachy itself."
picture of Daniel Vetter

Daniel Vetter, who mentors Outreachy interns in the Linux Kernel's GPU
driver subsystem adds:

"The Outreachy program is the best program we have to improve diversity
and inclusiveness in FOSS long-term. While Linux as a project is deeply
problematic, there are pockets of sub-communities who really care about
creating inclusive spaces and can provide Outreachy participants a
great internship experience contributing to critical technology low in
the stack.

I am very glad to provide my help supporting Outreachy participants as
a mentor and Outreachy's critical role in building better communities
and a diverse and inclusive FOSS culture."

We hope the events of this week indicate that times are changing, and
the status quo of behavior fails as an adequate standard for civility,
inclusiveness and diversity. We thank all those who have spent years,
both behind the scenes and in the public fray, pointing out and pushing
for inclusiveness in Linux and all other FOSS communities. We welcome
mentors, coordinators and sponsors to get involved in Outreachy and we
hope to continue working on related issues and supporting those of you
who are working behind the scenes to make free software a place for
everyone.


-- 
Deb Nicholson <deb at sfconservancy.org>
Software Freedom Conservancy