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A few years ago when this was a topic of critique for TCAF, I suggested, as one of the only POC on staff, that every time we asked an exhibitor to present on "diversity", we'd ALSO have to come up with a second topic for them that had nothing to do with their marginalization. https://twitter.com/EscoBlades/status/1273014683574960128
The rule was that we'd have to present both (or more) topics to them, and make clear that they could pick all, one, or none. Their choice. I think it helped a lot. My proudest volunteer contribution to TCAF tbh. I'm not staff anymore but I think they still follow the rule.
I think it could have also been further solidified by saying, if all the people on the "diversity" panel had too many similarities, you have to pivot and make the topic tighter (with the input of the panelists), or cancel it altogether. For example on a disability panel, if you..
.. have mainly neuroatypical speakers and little to no physical disability, it's fine to make it just about just one aspect of being neuroatypical! These are big topics!! If they're all white, they can also talk about their disability while lampshading their racial intersections.
If you only have cis black women in your black professionals panel, make it known in the panel description! Have faith that non-cis non-black non-women will still attend the panel to know things that do and don't apply to them, but they know better what to expect and you don't..
.. put any of the presenters on the spot to be the Ultimo Expert Representer of All Things Black, when really they can only speak of their own experiences. We're all human and all make mistakes but marginalized folks get hella extra picked apart by everyone if they're wrong.
It's not a perfect solution but it mitigates a lot of difficulty for presenters and also makes the topics more varied and interesting for the attendees. This is how you move the convo forward, show progress, instead of running the same circles.
I encourage event organizers to try this idea but also if you do bring it to your groups please don't act like you invented it. Idk even if I truly invented it so I don't care if you don't mention me by name or whatever but as a WOC I'm also real sick of ppl stealing my good shit
I've sadly gotten real used to pushing aside my own feelings wrt losing credit for my ideas. People in comics and games generally ignore me until I have something to take.... Luckily I am buttful of ideas
My lovely partner who I'm on a picnic with had now just reminded me I've spent more time on Twitter this morning than Animal Crossing so that's the last from me. Take care of yourselves folks
