At Who Pays Knitters we believe that different ideas, perspectives, and backgrounds create a stronger and more vibrant knitting community. To support an inclusive environment we’ve added a diversity section to our anonymous submission forms. We hope that these questions will challenge yarn companies and publications to contract and compensate staff that are diverse in race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical or mental ability, ethnicity, age, and size.
You will now find the following statements on the anonymous submission forms, along with the answers yes/no/unsure and a space for further comments:
- This company/publication promotes equality, diversity, and fairness.
- BIPOC are represented by this company/publication.
- LGBTQ are represented by this company/publication.
- People with disabilities are represented by this company/publication.
- I feel the need to minimize various aspects of my race, ethnicity, or religion to be able to “fit in” to the culture of this company/publication.
- I feel the need to minimize various aspects of my sexual orientation or gender identity to be able to “fit in” to the culture of this company/publication.
- I feel the need to minimize my disability to be able to “fit in” to the culture of this company/publication.
- I’ve been excluded by this company/publication because of my race, ethnicity, or religion.
- I’ve been excluded by this company/publication because of my sexual orientation or gender identity.
- I’ve been excluded by this company/publication because of a disability.
- I experienced or witnessed racial harassment or discrimination when working for this company/publication.
- I’ve been adversely affected by this company/publication after sharing my concerns about racial harassment or discrimination.
- If I were to report racial harassment or discrimination to this company/publication they would respond to it appropriately.
- This company/publication genuinely addresses the concerns of marginalized groups.
- Does this company/publication offer accommodations for designers with disabilities during the submission/design process?
- What can this company/publication do to promote an inclusive environment?
To follow or contribute to this discussion search #diversknitty on Instagram and visit this thread on Ravelry. If you are white and looking to learn more about how you can be part of the solution two great places to start are White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo and the Me and White Supremacy Workbook by Layla Saad. If you have suggestions on how WPK can improve the submission forms please email whopaysknitters@gmail.com.