MNHQ - would you mind if we made a Mumsnet banner for MN feminists to march behind?

[sethstarkaddersmackerel]

There were oodles of MNers at the Million Women Rise march in London on Saturday - probably at least 40 including children.

I think a contingent this size really needs its own banner, of the big, cloth variety carried by 2 people.

Now, if we do this we would be happy to discuss design with you so we don't inadvertently do anything to weaken the MN brand.

The text would be open to discussion too, just 'Mumsnet' or 'Mumsnet Feminists' for instance. I've started a thread in Feminism to see what everyone else thinks but would obviously not actually do it without go-ahead from MNHQ.

Does MNHQ have a view on this?

thanks

Doesn't it kind of make all MNers a part of it tho, whether we like it/want it, or not?

why, do you object to stopping violence against women?

I don't think it makes all MNers part of it any more than when a representative of MN expresses views in the press, and it would only be used with MNHQ approval.

of course, if it said 'Mumsnet Feminists' then it wouldn't represent those MNers who aren't feminists anyway.

oh i'd love to see how anyone can object to this. if you're a woman, you should be a feminist. And don't give me that 'humanist' (which means something entirely different btw) hokum. A word like that implies a level playing field which you'd have to be on some seriously strong stuff to believe in. Yes there are other problems in the world besides gender equality, but you have to start somewhere.

Supposing one rogue mumsnetter does something to gain press attention by misbehaving tho??? Throws biscuits or something...

Lol im just saying....... That's all...... Neither agreeing or disagreeing really!

I think it's a wonderful idea and would be very happy to take my turn carrying it.

It's absolutely fine by us at HQ - but obviously please do say if you object.

rofl @ biscuit throwing!
will you come next time ILT? You can be chief jammie dodger chucker and we will rally round and pay your fine if you get into trouble

thank you Justine

I was very proud to be part of Mumsnet on Saturday. It is good to see it take its place alongside more traditional women's organisations.

@sethstarkaddersmackerel

thank you Justine

I was very proud to be part of Mumsnet on Saturday. It is good to see it take its place alongside more traditional women's organisations.

Wish I could have been there Seth - few things going on my end so couldn't make it but was there in spirit .

I don't know what the march is about. I shan't know, probably, what future marches are about. So I don't like the idea that I'm being represented in something I don't necessarily support.

However MN is huge and so it's probably Ok.

The thing is it might set a precedent. What is a group of MNers who support UKIP for example start carrying around a banner with Mumsnet on it?

Where do we draw the line?

What is the march and when?

Like Ingrid, i don't like being represented without my knowledge. If it was clear that it was Mumsnet Feminists then that's ok. It's clear which part of MN is being represented (and likewise if a section of MN decided to march in favour of the BNP i would hope that it said MN BNP supporters)

Ingrid, thank you, your comments are helpful as we can develop sort of 'rules' about how we would do it.

I don't honestly think there are going to be a HUGE number of marches, there are 2 obvious ones, Million Women Rise and Reclaim the Night, so it would not be impossible to start a thread so posters can voice opinions and MNHQ can give approval every time. MN feminism posters would be only too happy to explain in excruciating detail exactly what each event is about

You could put a Mcdonalds logo on it.

Do it! We could have a competition to choose logos.

Fruit shoots with a dagger through them, dripping red liquid.

A nice Boden cardi

A wooden bicycle.

Paperview - Million Women Rise happens every year around International Women's Day; it is a march to demonstrate against male violence against women and children all over the world. It happens in all different countries and there are representatives there from women's organisations from different countries.

Reclaim the Night is against rape and all kinds of male violence against women, and for gender equality. It usually happens in November in London and a variety of different cities (the first ever was in Leeds at the time of the Yorkshire Ripper murders, when police advised women to stay indoors); it is basically about the right to walk the streets free from fear.

comparing the BNP to feminism is odious alright

what is it that you think feminists do/ stand for that doesn't represent you?

i would quite like to come next time!!

any excuse for a reip to london,but the cause sounds good too

i have feminism topic hidden as it seemed quite contentious....might unhide it,but if there is an event like this again,maybe post in other topics too??

that would be the 'mumsnet one' marching with the BNP then!!!

theres always one

LOL at the BNP mumsnet - you mean Daftpunk right? She can make her own bloody banner.

I think it would be a v. good thing. So many people sneer at Mumsnet because mothers are obviously thick. As soon as you have a baby, you are no longer seen as intelligent, sexy, analytical, fun-loving, etc. etc. - you are just a mummy and you know nothing except how to burp a baby and if you dare to give your opinion on anything, you are stepping outside your remit, shouldn't you be changing a nappay? A declaration that guess what, mothers are as politicised, thoughtful and intelligent as every other woman (and man), would just startle some of the wankers out there who categorise mothers as automatically stupid.

this is an interesting question and I think mnhq should come up with some guidelines on how members can use the brand. I would imagine that this is a question that may become more common.

In this particular case it is a cause I would support anyway, but I am too am uneasy about mumsnet claiming to represent me. As another poster has said though - where do you draw the line.

Could always have a banner saying "Feminist Mothers"...

I didn't compare feminism to the BNP. It was an example of something other people here may support and could therefore potentially use the MN "brand".

I don't disagree with the reasons for the marches (thank you for the explanations Seth - I had actually never heard of them). It doesn't mean that i can't support the marches or anything else. I just disagree with the general tone of "women are being victimised" that comes thru on the threads on here. Whether or not that is true i don't know but that is my opinion and is still valid whether or not you think it wrong or right.