ok, so I came to tribe.net because i had long been involved in an online discussion forum for my art (henna body art). Sadly, that place has been slowly taken over by its manager (not the legal owner) - a woman whose desire for power and need to be the Queen Bee of all information has led her to ban people from posting on "her" site (even if they are, as I was, paying advertisers).
For years my friends and I have watched in dismay as this woman consolidated her power, blacklisted and badmouthed those who she just didn't like, rejected attempts at resolution or mediation, and generally turned what has been advertised as a public educational resource into her own ego trip. In her last round of banishments I implored others to take a stand, as well as emailing this woman privately to ask for some sort of conflict resolution process. Both attempts were unsuccessful.
When I was finally banned (no reason given) people became quite outraged.
My question - perhaps rhetorical - for you all is this - how do you get people to speak up *in their own communities* when they see injustice? It's good and well to look at all the violence in the world, Sudan, Afghanistan, Iraq, Palestine/Israel to name but a few - and throw up your hands saying, "there's nothing I can do."
But what about when it occurs in your own artistic community? Your school, your family, your place of work? I have long been the lone voice to stand up and speak out, and in most cases justice was eventually done, though I have been fired from a job for speaking out against a sexist boss.
The problem in this situation is that the woman has all kinds of spies working for her - and was even able to get her lawyer son to intimidate the staff of THIS site into removing discussions about this subject.
Any thoughts? Advice? Anyone know an internet lawyer who will chat for free?
peaceout

Anne Beltestad
www.nychenna.com
www.pacifichenna.com