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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
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Treaclewell · 27/08/2025 14:08

A few days ago, I don't know how I got there, I was reading threads about the Battle of Bamber Bridge, where the British made it quite clear that we didn't do as the white Americans from the Southern States demanded and learn their advanced habits of segregation here. (Aus and NZ) too. We were proud not to be disciplined into their ways, and protected their black troops. And our own, who they thought they could impose their home laws on.
From comments, the locals in Lancashire have pride in the side they took then.
Where have these racists crawled out from, since they weren't in Bamber Bridge, or Bristol or Cornwall then?

Zov · 27/08/2025 14:07

Hiding this thread, in 3... 2.. 1!

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.

PandoraSocks · 27/08/2025 14:05

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

Oh. I like that idea!

PandoraSocks · 27/08/2025 14:04

PhilippaGeorgiou · 27/08/2025 13:52

I can see your point but I don't see that challenging it makes any difference. I would rather spend my time challenging it in real life where I actually can make a difference. It's also better for my blood pressure.

Show quote history

I think you are probably right PG.

I have spent a lot of time arguing against the racism, producing actual facts and figures. It is all ignored, piled on, laughed at.

I do see @OchonAgusOchonOh 's point too about tacit approval, though. But if we did all stop engaging and MN became just an echo chamber of racism, maybe MNHQ would be more stringent.

MNHQ has got a bit better recently IME and a few of the more obvious racist trolls have had the boot. But others are left to run riot.

Anyway, no doubt this thread will be piled on very soon.

OchonAgusOchonOh · 27/08/2025 14:00

PhilippaGeorgiou · 27/08/2025 13:52

I can see your point but I don't see that challenging it makes any difference. I would rather spend my time challenging it in real life where I actually can make a difference. It's also better for my blood pressure.

Show quote history

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.

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.

TooBigForMyBoots · 27/08/2025 13:53

YANBU @PhilippaGeorgiou.

Original poster
PhilippaGeorgiou · 27/08/2025 13:52

OchonAgusOchonOh · 27/08/2025 13:43

Anti-Irish racism is rampant and has always been accepted on here. It's just taken a step further and now racism against any and all foreigners is accepted. I assume most of the those posters have similar attitudes towards locals who are not white.

I'm not sure totally ignoring them is the way to go as yes, while the posts will die, not challenging them can be seen as tacit approval.

I can see your point but I don't see that challenging it makes any difference. I would rather spend my time challenging it in real life where I actually can make a difference. It's also better for my blood pressure.

OP posts:
OchonAgusOchonOh · 27/08/2025 13:43

Anti-Irish racism is rampant and has always been accepted on here. It's just taken a step further and now racism against any and all foreigners is accepted. I assume most of the those posters have similar attitudes towards locals who are not white.

I'm not sure totally ignoring them is the way to go as yes, while the posts will die, not challenging them can be seen as tacit approval.

HangryLikeTheHulk · 27/08/2025 13:36

I think this site - influential as it is - is likely being targeted by the billionaire oligarch capitalists behind Reform UK / GB News / the flags bollocks / hotel yelling.

Whatafustercluck · 27/08/2025 13:32

It does seem that there has been a remarkably herculean lurch to the far right on here whether you look at the comments or the poll statistics. I was just contemplating taking an indefinite break from Mumsnet because it's utterly soul destroying to think that this online community may just reflect the real world out there at the moment. Or maybe it's just AIBU, which has never been renowned as a safe space for anyone. I agree that a huge number of comments appear to massively overstep the mark of decency and respect, under the guise of free speech. I fully expect some goady Tommy lover to be along shortly to prove my point by saying that the woke leftie snowflakes are way more fascist than the fascists. In reality I'm a centrist. I just hate racism and refuse to tolerate it just because it's dressed up in the fancy clothes of free speech.

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