Wikipedia:Arbitration Committee Elections December 2019/Candidates/KrakatoaKatie/Statement

KrakatoaKatie


Hi, I'm Katie. I've been an Wikipedian since 2006, an administrator since 2007, and a CheckUser and Oversighter since 2016. I'm currently serving on the Arbitration Committee and have decided to stand for a second term.

I'm doing this for two main reasons. The first reason is that I'd like to see the harassment RFC through to its conclusion. The text is more or less ready but there's some feeling on the committee that it should wait for the new group in January, and I respect that. This issue has obviously taken up a great deal of our time over the last six months or so and I think I'd like to help shepherd the process to the finish line.

The second reason is the current lack of women candidates. At present, there are four women and four men on the committee. I see one other female candidate as I write this, and that's simply not enough. If we claim to want to reduce our gender bias, we cannot have a 15-member committee with only one or two women members. Biases aren't something one necessarily fosters actively and nurtures; they often simply exist because we are humans and bring our experiences, and lack of experiences, with us. The male members of the committee can't know what it's like to be a woman trying to edit in this male-dominated environment, so we as women have to tell them. That's going to be important with as many men as it appears will be selected in this new group.

This arb thing is no joke. It's serious, sobering, time-consuming (the email will blow your mind), and sometimes brutal. I said in my 2017 candidate statement that I try to be kind; I must admit that's sometimes difficult in this position, but I've done my best. I've struggled at times this year to stay the course through the drama and angst and turmoil. But I love this project, and I'm willing to serve again. I've always tried to do the right thing as I saw it, and I will continue to do that if chosen.

I'll have difficulty answering questions for a couple of days due to travel and other commitments, but I'll get them answered as soon as I can, so ask away. I promise I'm not ignoring you. :-)

I have one doppelganger, User:Krakatoa Katie, and I've signed the ANIP and OTRS agreements.