How about a campaign where the users get MNHQ staff to take diversity training?

[Ghostofasmile]

MNHQ themselves have displayed ignorance (at best) over the last few months and prejudice / discrimination at worst when dealing with certain situations.
For example Justine, the sites owner herself over the last few days has made some very ignorant and damaging comments about diabetes.
We have seen the same with many times with Racism too as well as low level disablism.

Unless you are white, middle class and able bodied HQ isn't a nice place to be.

Post here if you would like this to take place. HQ need training and they need it fast.

[Badders123]

Completely agree

[GingerIvy]

I agree, however, suspect that MN will implode before this is actually taken seriously.

[AliceInUnderpants]

I completely agree that this is necessary, however it's very hard convincing someone to change when they feel they are completely right in the first place

[EdmundCleverClogs]

I agree. It should start with swallowing pride and making a public apology over the whole diabetes issue, and take it from there. No one is above change and learning from mistakes.

[TeaAddict235]

Agree, agree, agree. But who will give MNHQ the diversity training, I wonder? My experience of such training at work is that the trainers themselves aren't the most culturally appreciative people available. Maybe suggest that the MNHQ are sent to events such as Asian Person of the Year or MOBO awards, Black hair and beauty events etc? In order for them to fully appreciate the diversity of the users.

[MaddyHatter]

absolutely agree.

[TheoriginalLEM]

[monkeywithacowface]

Yes I agree. As I said on the deleted thread it's time to stop wasting our energies arguing with toady trolls and to direct our objections towards MNHQ. I think the best form of attack against these threads is to derail them By putting the focus on HQ and forcing a response.

If MNHQ won't delete disabilist posts we need to be the ones to shut down the conversation by actively not engaging in the the argument with individual posters who aren't interested in being educated and forcing HQ's arm to respond

[monkeywithacowface]

Goady not toady trolls!

[slenderisthenight]

I do agree. Culminating with Justine's complete failure to respond to the specific points raised by the mother who started the diabetes thread, MNHQ understanding of disability and sensitivity towards parents of children with disabilities (and parents with disabilities themselves) has been a car crash in recent times.

[allowlsthinkalot]

Absolutely agree

[LouisvilleLlama]

.

[Badders123]

I'm afraid mnhq are well out of their white, mc comfort zone and boy does it show!!
Justines comments were disgraceful and so ill advised.
But I could say that about every mnhq member lately...

[Badders123]

Did anyone actually contact mn affiliates and point them in the direction the the disablist
Thread btw?

[Thisjustinno]

No. It's a free to use optional website. Although I agree there are issues; I really don't understand why users think they can dictate what MNHQ should do or not do. I really don't understand it at all.

[SausageSoda]

For those of us that didn't see the thread, what was the gist of Justine's comments?

[Badders123]

It's not dictating
It's pointing out that vile discriminatory posts are left to stand in the name of "education"
Disgusting

[Saucery]

.

[monkeywithacowface]

So by that reasoning Thisjust any business can behave in anyway they wish towards disabled people? Disabled people just need to suck it up?

[monkeywithacowface]

Besides it's not dictating it's challenging the norms and putting pressures on the powers that be to create change. We could vote with our feet but as a minority voice it would be nothing more than a flounce and I doubt MNHQ would notice or care

[Thisjustinno]

My post isn't just about this issue - it's the prevailing attitude on here that MNHQ should do this or that. Should ban certain words (not racist or disablist words), should take a particular stance politically in regards to e.g trans issues. That they should stop the DM using threads. The demands that they should comment on this or that thread and the accusations thrown around when they don't.

I'm not being difficult or goady. I know there are issues on this site but it's a massive site which must be difficult to run and keep everyone happy. And no-one has to be here. It's an anonymous, free site.

I genuinely don't understand why people think they have a sense of ownership over it (to go as far as direct what training they think staff should get) yet somehow also hate it and are angered by it. Yes there are things that I object to on here but I would never think to demand this or that from MNHQ. I can delete my account at any time. It would have no impact for MN at all.

I appreciate that I might be on my own here but I really don't get it.

[PigletWasPoohsFriend]

.

[ItsAllGoingToBeFine]

Thisjustinno

You are not on your own. MNHQ is required to run their site lawfully, that is it. MN is an unmoderated internet site where predominantly UK, predominantly women get together. That is all it is. It is not a publicly funded resource, or a charitable support site - it is a web forum open to all.

[zippey]

I haven't come across any posts MNHQ have made which weren't fair and just. They probably get things wrong from time to time but overall I am happy with what the do. They can't control all the nasty posts and they need to strike a delicate balance between freedom of speech and unacceptable speech. I think they do this well. I don't think there is a need for any training. They are good people doing a difficult job. Let's face it, they will never please everybody.

[LouisvilleLlama]

I don't understand had the Justine thread been deleted? Last I saw she had clarified her position of the type of diabetes she meant and I. Her opinion I think she said that she stood by her point in letting children know the issues I can't remember fully. If it's been taken down then that's not great.

But I agree MN is a website, It's a big website and they can't always comment on a thread as they have other things to be doing and they aren't always going to agree with your stance.

It's a website you choose to be here and most of the issues are more from what posters write, and whilst I don't condone what's said a lot of the time, if you find yourself being too upset or readily angry or irritated by what people post it's not right but maybe MN isn't for you unfortunately unless MNHQ constantly monitor all threads there will be views you don't agree with