Open Markets Institute’s Code of Conduct

The Upshot

At the Open Markets Institute, we know that the rise of giant tech platforms has only amplified the prevalence of racist, misogynistic, xenophobic, and other hateful speech online as well as the spread of disinformation and misinformation.

One of the things we love most about the antitrust and anti-monopoly movement is the wide range of political, academic, and economic beliefs held within the community. We recognize that such differences can be provocative and difficult to navigate. Respectful disagreements and arguments are productive. Demeaning, discriminatory, harassing, racist, offensive and any other similarly oppressive behaviors are not.

To that end, while we work to protect democracy from Big Tech and other forces, we also are committed to maintaining a harassment-free space for all people of all races, gender identities, sexual orientations, physical abilities, neuro(a)typicalities, socioeconomic statuses, appearances, mental illnesses, and religions.

On Harassment

Harassment includes, but is not limited to:

• Deliberate intimidation or sustained disruption

• Inappropriate contact either physical or virtual such as unwelcome sexual attention of any kind

• Patterns of inappropriate social contact, including forcing inappropriate levels of intimacy with others

• Offensive targeted language that reinforces social structures of domination

• Deliberate misgendering or use of ‘dead’ or rejected names

• Stalking or following

• Harassing photography or recording

• Threats of, or incitement of, violence

• Advocating for, or encouraging, any of the above behavior

The Open Markets Institute and its initiatives prioritize marginalized people’s safety over privileged people’s comfort. We reserve the right not to act on complaints regarding:

• “Reverse” -isms, including “reverse racism,” “reverse sexism,” and cisphobia

• Reasonable communication of boundaries, such as “leave me alone,” “go away,” or “I’m not discussing this with you”

• Communicating in a tone you don’t find congenial

• Criticizing racist, sexist, cissexist, or otherwise oppressive behavior or assumptions

Consequences

This code of conduct applies to all Open Markets Institute public forums – it’s meant to function as an ever-improving guide for facilitating an enriching anti-monopoly community for all people. Every person involved in our antitrust and anti-monopoly work is expected to adhere to this code of conduct. It applies equally to all Open Markets Institute employees, supporters, mentors, board members, and advisers. In the unlikely case that a person in our community violates this code of conduct, they will be subject to a warning or even removal.