Talk:Ifeoma Ozoma

Influence on WA Legislation

One of the sources cited on Cher Scarlett's work on legislative work in Washington state is a profile about Ozoma. I believe it make sense to re-instate that here, given that context.SquareInARoundHole (talk) 01:50, 29 November 2021 (UTC)

References

Potential incorrect use of the language "sponsor" ?

This page mentions as is that Ifeoma "authorized" and "sponsored" Silence No More Legislation. While she was an inspiration and powerful advocate for the legislation, my understanding is that citizens can't sponsor and authorize legislation; those are actions of the legislators who supported the bill. She's not, for example, listed as a "sponsor" of the bill on the bill's official page: https://legiscan.com/CA/sponsors/SB331/2021 Thistechworkertoo (talk) 01:26, 2 December 2021 (UTC)

Have you read the footnote? The "sponsor" wording is explained there. It also says she "authored" (not "authorized") the bill. Both descriptors, by the way, are supported in the inline citations. GorillaWarfare (she/her • talk) 01:36, 2 December 2021 (UTC)

Oh, I'm so sorry for misreading the "authored" text! Also, unfortunately the footnote that was recently added is under paywall and from over ten years ago. It could be though that California is an exception here and I'm not aware of it. Just double checking that the correct language is being used so there isn't confusion for others trying to mirror this important work in other states. Are there other supporting references here that speak to a citizen being able to "sponsor" legislation in the same way that legislators do? Thistechworkertoo (talk) 01:53, 2 December 2021 (UTC)

That's odd, I'm not hitting a paywall. Regardless, that source in the footnote just explains the terminology that is unusual; the other two sources (The Hill and The Verge, at the end of the sentence) support that Ozoma is a "cosponsor". GorillaWarfare (she/her • talk) 02:05, 2 December 2021 (UTC)

Reporters don't always understand the legislative process and regurgitate whatever language is told to them or will get the most attention and clicks. I think it's important that we fact check via government sources that it's appropriate to state that Silence No More California legislation was sponsored by Ifeoma vs. inspired and informed by her; the official bill page doesn't list her as a "sponsor". Either way she obviously had an important and critical role in passing the legislation. Thistechworkertoo (talk) 02:19, 2 December 2021 (UTC)

We reflect what reliable sources write. You are free to find a RS supporting that this naming has changed in the past ten years, but until then it should stay as it is. That said, it seems pretty easily verified that this is still the case: "SPONSOR: The legislator, private individual, or group who developed a piece of legislation and advocates its passage." [1] GorillaWarfare (she/her • talk) 03:15, 2 December 2021 (UTC)

Totally fair! From the California Senate's website, here's the process: "All legislation starts off as an idea. These ideas can come from anybody and the process begins when either an individual or group persuades a Member of the Legislature to author a bill. The Member then sends the idea and the language for the bill to the Legislative Counsel's Office, where it is drafted into the actual bill. The drafted bill is returned to the legislator for his or her review. Persons or groups that originated the idea for the bill may also review it to ensure that the provisions they desire are in the bill in the correct form." Once the bill is introduced it is then reflected as being "sponsored" by the drafting legislator(s), for example per this link I already shared specific to Silence No More California legislation. Thistechworkertoo (talk) 03:23, 2 December 2021 (UTC)

Also, if you look at the meeting notes for the bill hearings, Ifeoma's non-profit Earthseed is listed as being among several non-profit "co-sources" in support of the bill, but there's no reference to Ifeoma being a sponsor of the bill. I did find that in an April 13th, 2021 hearing about the bill it was stated, "To illustrate this point, the author and sponsors highlight the case of Ifeoma Ozoma..." Thistechworkertoo (talk) 03:33, 2 December 2021 (UTC)

But wait, here it is, there are August 26th hearing notes that refer to the bill being "sponsored" by the California Employment Lawyers Association, Earthseed, and Equal Rights Advocates. Thanks for your patience as I track down this specific information, which I'm going to reflect in an edit now. Thistechworkertoo (talk) 04:06, 2 December 2021 (UTC)

Please wait for consensus from editors before re-making edits that have been challenged by other editors. While I understand you disagree, and commend you for your dedication in finding a reference to back-up your position, the senator herself confirmed Ozoma as a co-sponsor (and co-author) on KQED Public Radio. Adding a note stating that in the legislative documents, her business name is used, would be what I would support as an appropriate edit that does not diminish the work of the subject of this WP:BLP. SquareInARoundHole (talk) 08:21, 2 December 2021 (UTC)

References