Answering Questions
Please read the following guidelines carefully before answering a
question posed to Y? The National Forum on People's
Differences.
Peruse the submitted questions by using our
search page or looking over our
Archives. Or, you can browse whole
categories at the Categories page.
If you see a question you'd like to answer, read the
following guidelines and then go to Y?'s Posting
Form.
Please keep your answers to 150 words or less. Except for
unusual circumstances, longer answers will be trimmed or will not be
posted.
You must include an identifier (name, initials,
handle, alias) and where you live with your answer, as well as fill
in several other required fields. There are a number of optional
fields that will add context to your posting. You are encouraged to
fill in as many as possible. Y? prefers your full name, but will
accept other identifiers. Your name or identifier is needed in order
to help others search for your comments at a later date.
Please do not answer questions that do not relate to
your own demographic background unless you have direct, first-hand
knowledge of the information or are an academician or other expert on
the topic. In the latter case, please demonstrate in your answer how
you are qualified to answer the question. Remember, the chief goal of
this project is to foster a flow of information between people who
are "experts" about themselves and their demographic group.
Avoid generalities. Get to the heart of the question with
your response, using factual information in your answers derived from
your own experience or from information with which you are intimately
aware because of your demographic background.
Resist the temptation to make a political or moral
statement with your answer. Remember, the forum is an attempt to
parcel out information that is as free of bias and preconceived
notions as possible.
Be patient with others' questions and use care in how you
phrase your response. Y? realizes that some queries may offend, but
remember that not everyone knows everything about everything. The
forum is trying to promote a reasoned dialogue in an atmosphere of
curiosity and sensitivity, and the chances are good that you may be
uninformed about someone different from yourself as well. If someone
else has shown the courage to acknowledge to themselves and others
that they don't know something, they may well be on the path to
knowing. In that spirit, try not to penalize them by deriding them or
being condescending with your responses.
If you don't think you can answer a particular question,
but know of someone (either a member of the public, academician or
other expert) who can, e-mail
Y? with the information and Y? will try to contact the
person.
IMPORTANT: Y? reserves the right to edit
questions and answers for space and readability, and to paraphase
questions or answers to render them suitable for general viewing.
Before deciding to take part, be advised that if you post a question
or answer that contains hostile language, assumed truths or
preconceived notions, it will very likely either not be posted, or it
will be edited to meet the non-confrontational standards set up by
this project.
BACK TO TOP