# Open Letter to the Linux Foundation

DevFeed: [Open Letter to the Linux Foundation](<https://devfeed.tech/articles/open-letter-to-the-linux-foundation-21783.md>)

Original publisher: [Read original article](<http://blog.cleancoder.com/uncle-bob/2019/11/08/OpenLetterLinuxFoundation.html>)

Published: 2019-11-08T00:00:00Z

Content type: opinion

Language: en

Sources: [Robert C. Martin](<https://devfeed.tech/sources/robert-c-martin.md>), [The Clean Code Blog](<https://devfeed.tech/sources/the-clean-code-blog.md>)

Topics: [Linux](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/linux.md>), [Development](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/development.md>), [.NET Conf](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/net-conf.md>)

Tags: [community](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/community.md>), [development](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/development.md>), [event](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/event.md>), [executive](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/executive.md>), [kubecon](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/kubecon.md>), [legal](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/legal.md>), [linux](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/linux.md>), [open](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/open.md>), [organization](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/organization.md>)

## AI overview

An open letter to the Linux Foundation criticizes its public handling of a Code of Conduct complaint involving Charles Max Wood and the revocation of his event registration. The author argues that complaints, proceedings, and individual decisions should remain private and confidential to prevent harassment and harm.

## Source excerpt

To: The Linux Foundation Jim Zemlin: Executive Director Angela Brown: VP of Events Andy Updegrove: Legal Council From: Robert Martin (@unclebobmartin) (unclebob@cleancoder.com) Re: Code of Conduct case of Charles Max Wood. Dear Linux Foundation: I am writing to you as a concerned member of the software development community which I have enjoyed serving for the last 50 years. I am writing in public because the events I wish to describe took place in public. I fear that something has gone terribly wrong within your organization; and that it will have deep repercussions within this industry that I cherish. The timeline of events, as far as I can determine them, is as follows: The Linux Foundation received a public tweet sent to the @KubeCon twitter address. That tweet recommended that Kube Con discontinue their association with Charles Max Wood. The reasons given in this complaint were his request for an open and civil phone call, and a picture of Mr. Wood wearing a MAGA hat. The Linux Foundation publicly replied from the @linuxfoundation twitter account as follows: Hi all, We have reviewed social and videos and determined that the Event Code of Conduct was violated and his registration to the event has been revoked. Our events should and will be a safe space. First let me say that I find it highly problematic that the complaint and the decision were public. Indeed I am surprised that LF would accept a publicly submitted code of conduct complaint. I am much more than surprised that LF would ever consider publicly responding to such a complaint. Indeed, it seems to me that the public complaint, and perhaps even the public response by LF, could be seen as public harassment - which is explicitly prohibited by the LF Code of Conduct. It seems to me that Code of Conduct complaints made in public must be immediately rejected and viewed as Code of Conduct violations in and of themselves. Code of Conduct complaints should be submitted in private and remain private and confiden