Written by Annalee on The Bias.
“‘Assume good intent’ is a particularly pernicious positive expectation that will undermine your code of conduct. The implied inverse of this is that not assuming good intent is against the rules.
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The harm is that telling people to “assume good intent” is a sign that if they come to you with a concern, you will minimize their feelings, police their reactions, and question their perceptions. It tells marginalized people that you don’t see codes of conduct as tools to address systemic discrimination, but as tools to manage personal conflicts without taking power differences into account. Telling people to “assume good intent” sends a message about whose feelings you plan to center when an issue arises in your community.
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If you want to build a culture of ‘assuming good intent,’ start by assuming good intent in marginalized people.”
Read ‘How “Good Intent” Undermines Diversity and Inclusion’ on the The Bias site.