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

We are not stakeholders. We are the product.
We don't have to be the product, as has been pointed out.

All large commercial organisations have stakeholders AF.

I don't quite understand what it is that you don't understand.

Stakeholders ?

What are you talking about ?

But the arguments that some posters are proffering that MN is just a small private gathering just don't cut it; It's a large profitable media organisation with responsibilities to all its stakeholders.

I'd have thought that there's at least a possibility that MNHQers might positively welcome something along the lines of diversity training.

MN Towers has had to formulate a series of policies on how to handle a succession of different sticky subjects, often in response to stormy nights/weeks on the boards.

They do try hard (and clearly work hard) but sometimes there are inconsistencies or blind spots. There's a glaring one around disablism at the moment.

Blind spots are what diversity training is designed to tackle.

I think MNHQ do get it mostly right, `and Justine did apologise but the thread did get very personal which was uncalled for.

The thread has got extremely personal and it is still there. They haven't deleted it, which they could have done.

What "influence" does Justine have ? confused

Roberts was named in the Media Guardian's 2010 power 100.[1] Along with Mumsnet co-founder Carrie Longton she was voted number 7 in BBC Woman's Hour's "Power List 2013" of the most powerful women in the UK

( en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justine_Roberts )

Quite a lot, apparently

I think MNHQ do get it mostly right, `and Justine did apologise but the thread did get very personal which was uncalled for.

No one gets everything right, all the time.

I agree with thisisjustinno and other previous posters - It's a well run site on the whole and I think they do their best.

There is also a growing trend of people personally attacking members of HQ and I don't really blame them for disengaging when that all starts.

I agree

i think, for clarity.. that it can't do any harm for staff moderating and running such a public and well known forum, to have some kind of diversity training.

When they're been asked to referee with day in, day out ignorance of posters, then surely it can't be a bad thing if they understand the nitty gritty of what is and isn't acceptable?

It would certainly limit the 'oops, sorry, that shouldn't have happened' moments of inexperienced staff failing to delete comments that then leads to a firefight that the more experienced staff then have to deal with.

Blimey, MN is one of the least discriminatory, nicest bits of the internet TBH - try hanging out on Reddit or 4Chan for a bit

AF - I REALLY wanted to say 'who the fuck do you think you are?' in my original posts but was a lone voice at the time and really couldn't be arsed with the flaming I thought I'd get. Not on a Thursday; I'm tired .

But that's the core of what I think about these sorts of threads. Which are numerous lately.

I just think.

Feck sake.

I agree with JustIn

MNHQ aren't perfect about every issue but they have a bloody difficult line to tread and do so very well, imo. Any time they're wrong they hold their hands up and never ever have the attitude of "our site, our rules". Which they are well within their rights to.

I don't think it's a bad thing if certain "ist" comments are left to stand for an educational perspective. I for one have been educated about things which I had no idea about previously, partly through these "ist" posts.

It's a free site and don't think posters should be making massive demands about what MNHQ SHOULD or shouldn't do.

I don't think Justine doesn't care I just she has her own, different opinion and that's fair enough. It's not really appropriate for the owner of the site to get into arguments with its users.

There is also a growing trend of people personally attacking members of HQ and I don't really blame them for disengaging when that all starts.

I can't think of any other site where people wouldn't be kicked off for similar posts.

I think HQ are trying, there is just a lot to deal with at the moment because so many people are unhappy about different things.

What was the problem with pointing out that diabetes can have life limiting consequences? Children who have type 1 or type 2 should be encouraged to take responsibility for their own care as far as they can and they need to know why. Plenty of adults with diabetes put their heads in the sand.
As far as the general site management goes I think they do pretty well considering the range of opinions they try to balance. If you don't like the site, don't use it.

As the founder of one of the biggest parenting sites, obviously enough influence to be asked to speak on Jamie Oliver's latest ego trip campaign.

What "influence" does Justine have ?

Oh I completely agree. I mean my masters that force me to use this website, whip me when I don't post on threads I don't agree with and pour molten lead on me if I hide threads totally understand where OP is coming from.

Fucks sake.

It's because T2 is demonised as the 'fat persons illness', when it's not always the case that it's weight related! People shouldn't talk about serious issues that they are not fully informed on, especially when it can cause further negative effects (such as continuing the idea that diabetes as a whole is due to a persons idiocy and inability to eat properly). It's one thing to have an opinion on an anonymous forum, but this was stated as fact by a person who is somewhat influential. That's why it's not ok.

I agree with the OP. On the diabetes thread posters told justine why her apology didn't actually cover the things it should, but she doesn't seem to care.

What a shame that someone with such influence isn't prepared to take on board the range of views rather than the blanket view that the media frequently portray.

I can assure you I've been on threads where people are repeatedly reporting but it just get ignored or the educate line thrown out