letting the MRA trolls win

[feministcrashdummy]

Seems to me like this is what has happened.

Yes, the attacks we had from MRATs were appaling. Yes, MNHQ's response was disappointing, to say the least.

But has it really come to the point where we are so sceptical that we justify ourselves spouting venom at each other?

We namechange to protect our privacy but it leaves us vulnerable to attack from within ourselves.

How is this not letting them win?

If they wanted to 'divide and conquer' then they have surely succeeded .

Personally, and I understand why this might not be the choice for others, I'm going to stay. I'll keep fighting the partiarchy, in whatever way I can. I have nothing to prove to anyone else. I'll keep namechanging to keep under the MRATs' radars even if means I'm flying solo.

[Prolesworth]

I don't understand what you mean about spouting venom?

[LRDtheFeministDragon]

Eh?

If there's a bunfight I'm happy to wade in but can I draw your attention to the fact there's a 6 page thread about transsexualism and feminism going at the moment that (for a wonder) hasn't gone to a slanging match and has involved some real exchange of opinons? I think this section's doing pretty well for not 'spouting venom' just now!

[swallowedAfly]

i'm confused. i don't know who you are accusing of spouting venom and i don't know who you are or who the 'we' is you refer to? does it include me?

posts that accuse generic alleged groups of generic alleged behaviour are always a bit....? dare i say pointless?

i deleted my history due to mra stalking - apologies if you find that letting them win but i actually wanted to keep my name and keep posting on mn which is a community i value. i also value my son and i's privacy and safety too though. and given the rewards being offered for personal info on feminists by mra sites at present i can understand people being cautious with their identity details.

it's very tricky without you saying who you are (therefore everyone knowing you are a genuine mner) or who you are accusing of what.

i don't think i have anything to be chagrined about and it would be odd imo to have a go at feminists about mra behaviour.

[swallowedAfly]

for example the responses you see here are all from regular mn'ers on the wider boards and the feminist section using the same names they've always had.

care to share yours?

[LRDtheFeministDragon]

I have a vague feeling feministcrashdummy is a name I've seen before ... off to search ...

[MooncupGoddess]

Yes, there have been fewer threads/posts recently... but there have also been some really interesting, venom-free ones. If you start a good thread I'm sure lots of us will join in.

[LRDtheFeministDragon]

Yes, I agree there have been fewer threads, it's a pity. But then that is partly because a fair few people either left or said they didn't want to post in this section with teh MRAs there (though I saw AF back the other day which was lovely).

It's very different from 'venom' though, which is a pretty harsh thing to say without explaining what's being referred to.

[swallowedAfly]

or who is being referred to.

wonder if you could clarify op?

[BobblyGussets]

What's an MRA please?

[madwomanintheattic]

?
haven't seen anything personally, but not around much.

[LRDtheFeministDragon]

Bobbly - 'Mens' Rights Activists'. A while back there were these blokes who'd talk about some of the posters on here on their websites and about how horrible and mean Mumsnet, Feminism, and Mumsnet Feminsts were.

[LeBOF]

I think that "fighting the partiarchy" has continued despite some posters deciding to discuss things less on mumsnet, to be honest. I know of lots of events that have taken place recently, for example, and that lots of MNers have attended them and set up local discussion and activism groups. Which probably sticks in the craw of that sad little animator man and his friends, but can only be a good thing. Feminism isn't especially meaningful if it merely equates to having an argument on the internet, but I suppose it is an easy battlefield for MRAs, as they don't have to change out of their dirty underpants to get dressed and go anywhere.

[KoPo]

And there was me thinking about how civil most of the threads in here have been recently. We have even had the odd civil posts from men, with civil sensible responses.

Have I somehow missed all this venom? I have seen fist time posters welcomed and listened to.

[LRDtheFeministDragon]

No popcorn?

[swallowedAfly]

is that what all the sticky stuff on the floor is? i did wonder. perhaps we could have little spitoons for hygene's sake.

[KoPo]

Sorry its just spilled on the floor. I got clumsy folding the chair away.

[LRDtheFeministDragon]

[AlwaysWild]

[spits on LRD's mop]

[LRDtheFeministDragon]

I don't know whether to take that as support or not!

[swallowedAfly]

it's like a 90's dance floor in here

[AlwaysWild]

Aint no support here LRD, merely a river of venom

[LRDtheFeministDragon]

Fuck this, I'm off to bleach my arsehole and dance in my heels.

[LRDtheFeministDragon]

(Hmm, maybe feminist venom has arse-bleaching properties, I dunno?)