To not be ok with race-based segregation?

If she held an event for women to discuss the obstacles they overcame, would you object?

I saw it in a similar way... a minority celebrating their achievement.

It's not segregation. It's recognising the different experiences of POC.

You only have to look at the threads in the Black Mumsnetters forum to see white people telling others that they're wrong about their lived experience.

I imagine it's nice for a group of Black elected officials to get together to share experiences.

I'm going to a women in business party tonight. Is that wrong too? We have lots of safe spaces that are segregated by sex, colour, job title i.e institute of directors, women in construction Mankind we all need a place to call our own so I don't see an issue with it. I don't like the term of colour but that just a personal preference.

When I had my baby I went to a playgroup that was for black and mixed race babies run by Surestart.

Someone complained and it was disbanded. Along with the breastfeeding support group as that was also discriminatory.

Do you also think we should have heterosexual pride month and white history month?

I would reply but I'm off to my women's only swim session in ten minutes.

I don’t know how many states in America have the nerve to allow men into women’s spaces and feel happy for them to take women’s medals and college places, but feel incredibly strongly in regard to safeguarding race divides. Yes we should be championing minority groups whether it be skin type, sexuality, disability, but let’s insure we are being equitable whilst doing it.

I’m going to bet yes

Surestart wasn't private. Black History month is all over the school curriculum.

Have you considered this, OP? Being public or private is irrelevant

I would hesitate to criticise POCs, as a group, for actions of solidarity. Or anything else. Should ex-slaves be banned from holding meetings? What exactly is your agenda here, OP, because I smell a great big rat (or is it Jim Crow?) masquerading as concern for 'democracy'.

So, if elected representatives had female only or LGBT+ groups and meet ups you’d object to it? Because they do and you’re not.

I think it's far more nuanced than that and I don't think its helpful framing it in the same context as racial segregation in the past.

How else are people of colour supposed to meet to discuss their specific experiences without segregating it from white peoples especially when political and economic networking events are still largely white and in the American context where people who get a foot in the door are generally families that can afford for their children to do an unpaid internship - not always but frequently wealthy white families.

Disbanding the breastfeeding group is awful. Can I ask though, why a group for black and mixed race mums was deemed necessary? I’m genuinely curious.

But surely this is them coming together to see how their lived experiences can help to influence things moving forward? They have valuable experience that White people simply won’t have.

the way to tackle discrimination isn’t to just bury heads in sand and pretend everyone is happily living together. The hard conversations need to be had and that often involves people who have lived it starting those conversations in a safe space.

YABU, OP. If you can't think of a reason why POC only groups are necessary and needed, then you need to think a bit harder.

YABU. We need safe spaces. I'm part of an anti-racism group at work. You can only join if you are from an ethnic minority background. It's difficult to explain why it's needed as it is very nuanced and complex, but these safe spaces are so, so important.

The previous posters have it spot on. It’s exactly like a women in business event.

If you read past the sensationalist headlines,

“I’ve been a part of a group that gathers, representing elected officials of color across all different levels of government in Massachusetts,” Wu said, according to WCVB. “A group that has been in place for more than a decade, and the opportunity to create a space for people to celebrate and rotate who hosts.” This year it’s her turn to host.

The mayor added there would be other gatherings for all elected officials to attend saying she “looked forward to celebrating with everyone at the holiday parties that we have besides this one, as well.”

Yep it’s hard to talk candidly if it’s not just people who have shared the same micro aggressions / subtle push back for promotion etc.

Yes. Though I can't think this post can possibly be anything other than a fairly platant attempt to provoke.

I would say it's important because our experiences of pre and post natal care can be vastly different to white people's (mine was wonderful, some people are discriminated against) and we need safe spaces to discuss that with other people who have lived experience of it.

@Dotcheck You really can’t think why black/mixed race mothers may need a group solely for themselves?
Really?

Great points made about female-only spaces.
It's also worth pointing out that if you are a person of colour who has had to put up with unfair, aggressive, abusive treatment or constant microaggressions that make you feel 'othered' throughout your life due to your race, then it would be understandable for you to want to be among people who understand it first hand, and not be conscious about the presence of people from the same group that have made you feel this way your whole life. You are not forced to join these events, if you do not want to (that is true segregation, surely - when you do not have other options?)

Yes but the pp said it was for black or mixed race babies...rather than specifically mums of that race .. I'm a white woman with mixed race dc. Could I have gone along?