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Original poster

Racist Threads

287 replies

PhilippaGeorgiou · 27/08/2025 13:11

Wasn't sure where to post this, but I thought AIBU would be ok. I am not running this as a poll, because I don't care about anyones opinions on the matter. And if anyone wants to respond with more racism, don't bother because I won't be engaging for even a second.

Right at the moment this site is not being overrun by racists because MNHQ has determined that there are no racists on the site and it's abuse to tell anyone they are a racist (even when they are). However, there are multiple threads expressing racism every single day, all rehearsing the same old misinformation and bogus narratives. Not one of those posters want to engage - they become abusive and offensive if anyone produces remotely evidenced facts. Their "facts" are the only truthful facts. Everyone else is a "woman hating woke leftist". Which is apparently not abus, according to MNHQ. MNHQ have made is abundantly clear that they will not moderate misinformation, and are blithely happy to allow most abuse to stand.

Here's the thing - there's pretty much nobody on those threads that is genuinely interested in having a discussion or debating information. There is nobody jumping on those threads saying that they don't really understand the different views and positions and would like to know more. Unsurprising, anyone who actually wants to explore the issue, the absolute last place to look to do that would be yet another toxic thread here. Probably the only good thing is that it really is highly unlikely anyone with a real curiousity about the subject would look to form opinions based on the toxic formula of MN.

The only thing that these threads are good for is clicks and ££££'s in the bank for Justine and the site.

So anti-racists - I suggest that we all stop answering these threads altogether. I know it is hard to see the racism stand (although apparently not for the owners of the site or the moderators) unchallenged, but every single challange does nothing but feed the flames and earn money for MN. You all know that the people who are not racists will spend 20% of their posts posting misinformation and 80% posting goady barbs and personal insults, just to keep the threads going. It will be incredibly boring for them if they only have each other to talk to. The threads will die without oxygen. And MN makes no money out of clicks that haven't happened. It's a win all around.

And if you want to do something proactive, instead of engaging with people who aren't going to listen, why not raise your concerns about the racism with the advertisers? They are being associated with it by their presence, and are clearly far more likely to influence the owners of the site than the people posting on it.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
5
MiloMinderbinder925 · 27/08/2025 15:22

WhereIsMyJumper · 27/08/2025 15:12

I personally would like to understand your definition of ‘racism’

Post yours and let's see if we agree.

ginasevern · 27/08/2025 15:18

WhereIsMyJumper · 27/08/2025 15:12

I personally would like to understand your definition of ‘racism’

Yes, me too.

Coffeetime25 · 27/08/2025 15:13

unfortunately these people do exist and firmly believe that Facebook is there Bible and Tommy Robinson is their God and refuse to believe anything that hasn't bin written on Facebook if we put on Facebook that all you had to do to stop the boats was jump off a cliff I believe we would solve the problem pretty quickly lol

WhereIsMyJumper · 27/08/2025 15:12

I personally would like to understand your definition of ‘racism’

WhereIsMyJumper · 27/08/2025 15:10

Lolapusht · 27/08/2025 14:43

It’s an absolute nightmare that using Mumsnet is compulsory and there’s no way to not look at things you don’t agree with.

Similarly, not being able to quietly accept or ignore either differing or offensive views held by other people is a real ballache. Compulsory vexation at opposing opinions is horrid.

👏

FlorenceAgainstTheMachine · 27/08/2025 15:09

CharlotteRumpling · 27/08/2025 13:56

Indeed. A year ago sweet well meaning people were posting things like " Am I being inappropriate if I wear a sari to an Indian wedding?".
Now it's " There's a brown man in the park!" or " My children are not safe at school!". MN does nothing.

Maybe we should fill the threads with flowers.

Edited

I really like this idea.

mimblewimble · 27/08/2025 15:07

Btw I know for a fact that at least one MN link has been shared on at least one flag-raising platform recently, and I haven't been deliberately checking so I'm sure there are more. So the sudden lurch to the right we're noticing may not reflect the views of the usual MN posters.

mimblewimble · 27/08/2025 15:04

☕?

🕊️?

🐈?

Lolapusht · 27/08/2025 14:43

It’s an absolute nightmare that using Mumsnet is compulsory and there’s no way to not look at things you don’t agree with.

Similarly, not being able to quietly accept or ignore either differing or offensive views held by other people is a real ballache. Compulsory vexation at opposing opinions is horrid.

CherrieTomaties · 27/08/2025 14:42

florizel13 · 27/08/2025 14:16

You are saying that "racist" posters don't want to engage in meaningful discussion....but you also say that you won't engage either, with any opinions that differ from yours?

Being racist isn’t having an opinion.

murasaki · 27/08/2025 14:35

Lavender14 · 27/08/2025 14:09

This was my thinking. You can't argue with stupid as the saying goes, but I do worry about people who are vulnerable to misinformation or who are directly impacted and harmed by such posts seeing them and taking silence as approval or agreement and the same misinformation being spread further.

It's deeply worrying that this may reflect public opinion but equally I wouldn't be surprised if there was a targeted approach to this behind the scenes and flames are being deliberately fanned.

I also don't understand how someone can say or do racist things, but not be deemed racist? Surely they are only saying or doing those racist things because they are inherently racist? So I'm not sure why this cannot be called out without being labelled a personal attack. The two go hand in hand.

Show quote history

Agree, I'm always baffled when people do something bad and then say 'that's not who I am'.

It clearly is, they did it.

Lavender14 · 27/08/2025 14:29

florizel13 · 27/08/2025 14:16

You are saying that "racist" posters don't want to engage in meaningful discussion....but you also say that you won't engage either, with any opinions that differ from yours?

There's a difference in someone engaging in debate in a genuine way, and someone who just wants to create a platform where they can dictate an echo chamber for their own beliefs. There was a board recently where the op continued to post misinformation and refused to engage with anyone who disagreed so the narrative went in a circle which basically just wasted the time and was draining for anyone who was trying to engage with the op or other posters in a constructive and open minded way. That quickly becomes really negative and tbh I think that's exactly the dynamic such posters are trying to create.

EvangelicalAboutButteredToast · 27/08/2025 14:29

If only we had way of blocking those people!

JaneJeffer · 27/08/2025 14:25

EvangelicalAboutButteredToast · 27/08/2025 14:22

Perhaps we can lobby for a Racist’s board?

Every board is a racist board when certain people post on it!

EvangelicalAboutButteredToast · 27/08/2025 14:22

Perhaps we can lobby for a Racist’s board?

PandoraSocks · 27/08/2025 14:19

florizel13 · 27/08/2025 14:16

You are saying that "racist" posters don't want to engage in meaningful discussion....but you also say that you won't engage either, with any opinions that differ from yours?

Because we have all tried millions of times. It is a waste of energy. It isn't about "differing opinions". It is about counteracting racism. Big difference.

PandoraSocks · 27/08/2025 14:18

Perhaps once the 💐 has been used a few times, people would cotton on?

florizel13 · 27/08/2025 14:16

You are saying that "racist" posters don't want to engage in meaningful discussion....but you also say that you won't engage either, with any opinions that differ from yours?

PandoraSocks · 27/08/2025 14:13

Sadly, you are probably right about that @PhilippaGeorgiou as the same disinformation is spammed across the boards by an ever changing influx of posters.

One poster admitted they were all following a link from X or Reddit. Can't remember which.

Original poster
PhilippaGeorgiou · 27/08/2025 14:13

Whatafustercluck · 27/08/2025 14:11

Me too.

Simply put a 💐 after every post that's racist/ offensive/ massively overstepping. Instead of the good old fashioned mumsnet biscuit. Suggest doing the same with painted roundabout too!

Show quote history

Hmm - but a bunch of flowers could be taken to indicate giving someone flowers / thanks. It would need to be something consistent and also clearly anti-racist.

OP posts:
swingingbytheseat · 27/08/2025 14:13

It does feel very despairing.
My thoughts are, that to be a racist you have to be in quite a lot of emotional pain already. It’s trauma dumping in the most easy way, i.e. not being able to own your own pain so dumping it on the most vulnerable in the community.

They probably just need a hug, but unfortunately the behaviour is so repulsive, they become even more isolated and lonely and in emotional pain

Whatafustercluck · 27/08/2025 14:11

PandoraSocks · 27/08/2025 14:05

Oh. I like that idea!

Show quote history

Me too.

Simply put a 💐 after every post that's racist/ offensive/ massively overstepping. Instead of the good old fashioned mumsnet biscuit. Suggest doing the same with painted roundabout too!

Original poster
PhilippaGeorgiou · 27/08/2025 14:10

CharlotteRumpling · 27/08/2025 13:56

Indeed. A year ago sweet well meaning people were posting things like " Am I being inappropriate if I wear a sari to an Indian wedding?".
Now it's " There's a brown man in the park!" or " My children are not safe at school!". MN does nothing.

Maybe we should fill the threads with flowers.

Edited

At one point when it was disablist threads every day, some of us took to discussing recipes or what we were having for tea. It incensed them no end (and a fair few of them are on the wrong side of the racist threads).

@PandoraSocks a few of the more obvious racist trolls have had the boot
I don't think so. They have name changed or have set up another account. The writing styles are identical.

OP posts:
PandoraSocks · 27/08/2025 14:10

Zov · 27/08/2025 14:07

I really wish we could have a separate board for all these 'there are so many racists on mumsnet,' and 'mumsnet is so racist' threads.

So I could hide it.

You can always scroll on by if you don't care about the issue.

Lavender14 · 27/08/2025 14:09

OchonAgusOchonOh · 27/08/2025 14:00

It doesn't make any difference to the racist poster. However, I think for those who are the target of the racism, seeing other people saying it is unacceptable can be helpful.

Show quote history

This was my thinking. You can't argue with stupid as the saying goes, but I do worry about people who are vulnerable to misinformation or who are directly impacted and harmed by such posts seeing them and taking silence as approval or agreement and the same misinformation being spread further.

It's deeply worrying that this may reflect public opinion but equally I wouldn't be surprised if there was a targeted approach to this behind the scenes and flames are being deliberately fanned.

I also don't understand how someone can say or do racist things, but not be deemed racist? Surely they are only saying or doing those racist things because they are inherently racist? So I'm not sure why this cannot be called out without being labelled a personal attack. The two go hand in hand.

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