Senate Vote Number 5: Amending Rule 0, 1, and 2

[TheLegend12369 (OP)]

Formal Draft for Senate Vote #5: Amending Rule 0, 1 and 2

With the passing of this legislation, the following changes will be put to a vote by the Parliament of VillageCraft

This is the current wording proposed by Senator Yvette
--
If "Yes" is majority, the following changes will be implemented on the server
If "No" is majority, the status quo will remain

1) Rule 0 will be redefined and rewritten as the following;
Status: Enforced
Keywords: Douche, Golden Rule, Hate Speech, Toxicity
Definition/Explanation:
- Treat others how you would like to be treated
- Staff Members reserve the ability to take action against persons displaying "douchey" behavior, including but not limited to, hateful speech/symbolism, excessive toxicity, or in-game harassment
Last Updated: XX, March, 2021
Other Information: This is now lightly enforced.

2) Rule 1 will be redefined and rewritten at the following;
Status: Allowed
Keywords: Free Speech, Expression, Art, Thoughts, Beliefs, Criticism, Ideas
Definition/Explanation:
Allowed:
- Freedom to express yourself without fear or threat of punishment.
- Includes the freedom to remain silent.
Not Allowed:
- Does not include hate speech/symbolism (see #0)
- Does not include harassment/bullying (see #2).
Last Updated: XX, March, 2021
Other Information:
We refuse to censor anyone's thoughts, beliefs or interests, and we will not comply with requests to censor. Nobody has the right to tell anyone else what the can and can't think or believe.

3) Rule 2 will be redefined and rewritten as the following;
Status: Not Allowed
Keywords: Harassment, Bullying, Cyber-Bullying, Cyber-Harassment
Definition/Explanation:
Not Allowed:
- Malicious non-consensual intimidation, coercion, or aggression
Note:
- In-Game harassment now falls under this rule
- Please use in-game commands such as /ignore to de-escalate and avoid in-game malicious players if you feel they are bothering you. If they continue to harass you, please contact a staff member.
Last updated: XX, March, 2021
Other Information: Ignore someone (block their chat messages):
/ignore [name]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This is the current wording proposed by Senator Yvette.
This vote was started by Speaker Legend, Senator Mali, and Senator Allison

A majority of Senators must approve this vote in order for it to move forward to the next stage, Staff Approval.

[Shensley]

Being "douchey" has never been an actual rule just a guideline so why enforce it now?

[Yvette]

This should be rewritten with a definition of "hateful speech" as it differs from player to player. Also being "douchey" has never been an actual rule just a guideline so why enforce it now?

Idk I kind of like leaving it in the staff's hand. However, an example of a hate speech definition we could use would be the United Nations definition;

"The  term  hate  speech is understood as any kind of communication in speech, writing or behaviour, that attacks or uses pejorative or discriminatory language with reference to a person or a group on the basis of who they are, in other words, based on their religion, ethnicity, nationality, race, colour, descent, gender or other identity factor."

Being "douchey" used to be much more enforced (as I've determined by conversations with older players, as well as perusing old staff threads), so imo this wouldn't be exceptionally different from the past, but modernising it, as society has changed a lot in the decade VillageCraft has been online.

[MutluMali]

This should be rewritten with a definition of "hateful speech" as it differs from player to player. Also being "douchey" has never been an actual rule just a guideline so why enforce it now?

Idk I kind of like leaving it in the staff's hand. However, an example of a hate speech definition we could use would be the United Nations definition;

"The  term  hate  speech is understood as any kind of communication in speech, writing or behaviour, that attacks or uses pejorative or discriminatory language with reference to a person or a group on the basis of who they are, in other words, based on their religion, ethnicity, nationality, race, colour, descent, gender or other identity factor."

Being "douchey" used to be much more enforced (as I've determined by conversations with older players, as well as perusing old staff threads), so imo this wouldn't be exceptionally different from the past, but modernising it, as society has changed a lot in the decade VillageCraft has been online.

Perhaps we could add that definition to rule 0's "Other information" category so that people aren't confused on it.

[Shensley]

I don't mind how or where we add it I just think it should be put somewhere. I guess i'm fine with this as long as it's very lightly enforced and someone doesn't get in trouble every time the N word is used or when something is said that someone doesn't like. I don't agree with the douche rule as again it's left up to players to decide when someone is coming off as a douche which could get out of hand. As long as this isn't the first step to snowflaking vc I don't have a huge problem with it.

[MutluMali]

I don't mind how or where we add it I just think it should be put somewhere. I guess i'm fine with this as long as it's very lightly enforced and someone doesn't get in trouble every time the N word is used or when something is said that someone doesn't like. I don't agree with the douche rule as again it's left up to players to decide when someone is coming off as a douche which could get out of hand. As long as this isn't the first step to snowflaking vc I don't have a huge problem with it.

Well... the n word WOULD definitely fall under hate speech, just so you know

[Shensley]

How? Its all about context and how it is used. If I call someone the N word yes then it would be hateful but If I say for example" What's up my N" then it might not be hateful in that context. This is the problem with this type of rule.

[Yvette]

How? Its all about context and how it is used. If I call someone the N word yes then it would be hateful but If I say for example" What's up my N" then it might not be hateful in that context. This is the problem with this type of rule.

The type of thing you're talking about wouldnt fall under that; the only thing that would fall under this is like, directed hate at a person with malicious intent.

[TheLegend12369 (OP)]

After talking to many people, as well as some old staff, it seems as though most of these things are already agreed upon unofficially, and this would just make it official. Additionally, Yvette made sure to say to use /ignore first, and that to only involve staff if it is repeated. It seems to me like this is well thought out and addresses many current players' concerns.

[Akomine]

This has received Staff Consent.