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Original poster

This board is the most frightening .

582 replies

fangbanger · 25/02/2011 23:25

Apparently.

I am a little saddened that a forum mostly used by women, has decided that the feminist boards are the most frightening of the forum.

Why do we feel that is? What can be done to prevent people from feeling so intimidated that they are too scared t post?

OP posts:
SeeJaneKick · 26/02/2011 00:37

I have found this an angry place...and have had comments directed at me in tones which were patronising and in some cases upsetting. That was a while ago and under another name...I'm tough enough to take it but I suspect many aren't and would not have the balls or the interest to hang around.

I am a feminist...but always feel as though I'm unqualified to comment on here.

Hullygully · 26/02/2011 00:36

Remember consciouness-raising groups?

Their time has come again.

Hullygully · 26/02/2011 00:36

All the fear is in your head.

Feel the love.

We shall start fem-lite and grow together.

Let's all sing.

BooyFuckingHoo · 26/02/2011 00:36

i don't have trouble articulating what i think, i have trouble knowing what i think until someone here says it and then i say "yes, that's what i think".

MogadoredMemoo · 26/02/2011 00:34

I started that thread and was one of the posters who said I found this forum scary, but I mean because I feel like I am not very good at articulating my thought and feelings, and I'm not particularly knowledgeable on the subject like the majority of people on here. So the problem lies within me, it is not cause by the people on this board.

I didn't mean to offend anyone. I would actually consider myself a feminist. I know I have spent a great deal of my life frustrated by the restraints that being a woman seems to put on me. and as I get older my frustration is turning into anger because I have realised just how deep it goes. I find myself unable to watch a lot of TV programmes now because of the way woman are portrayed. Also, when I was younger I thought porn was harmless, now I am deeply anger by it because I can see how damaging it is.

The problem I have is I don't know what to do about it, I wouldn't even know where to begin. And I want to know what I can do about it because as a mother of 2 girls I don't want them to grow up feeling inferior and that their value is judged by their physical appearance.

Even writing this I feel nervous, because I'm not sure if I even make sense,

And just for the record I have deepest respect for you all.

Goblinchild · 26/02/2011 00:33

I think any group of strong-minded, intelliget women who are passionate about particular topics can appear intimidating to those not yet part of the group.
Especially if the onlookers/lurkers feel that they really should know more about it than they do, but don't see any alternative because it is a choice between staying on the sidelines, or hitting rush hour at 70mph on the M25 the day after passing your test.
All or nothing, and some choose nothing.
feminism 101 with some patience and simple clear explanations sounds like a good idea.
No one learns if they are scared. To busy thinking 'Oh bother, how do I escape?'

JaneS · 26/02/2011 00:33

I suspect my corset quails at the thought of Andrea quite as much as she would have at the thought of it, hully.

Hullygully · 26/02/2011 00:32

Think of Andrea

JaneS · 26/02/2011 00:31

I am, as it happens, actually really truly wearing a corset right now.

My mate is getting married and she and her fiancee are having a hen party tomorrow with us all in forties burlesque dress, so I am wearing me corset and trying on me red lippie.

Have I let the side down sufficiently?

lemonsquish · 26/02/2011 00:30

I think I'm the same as PeterAndre, it's articulating what I think that I have trouble with.

LessNarkyPuffin · 26/02/2011 00:29

I didn't realise there was a full dresscode.

JaneS · 26/02/2011 00:28

Grin at Hully in corsets.

(But not in an objectifying way. I'm a respectable ladyperson, dontcha know.)

Prolesworth · 26/02/2011 00:28

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Hullygully · 26/02/2011 00:28

Good eh?

PeterAndreForPM · 26/02/2011 00:27

Fem-Lite ?

that sounds like a tampon for tweenagers...

Original poster
fangbanger · 26/02/2011 00:27

in fact i think i am a bit of a masochist as even when my posts get pulled to shreds by the more informed members of the boards, i will very often sit back and say "ah ok"

You have challenged my views and explained either why i was wrong or at the very least made me think aand re affirm why i thhought that in the first place.

even being flamed is educational.

OP posts:
PeterAndreForPM · 26/02/2011 00:26

hully...no pj's

that is sad

you are deprived

Hullygully · 26/02/2011 00:26

It is simply LUDICROUS that grown women say they are "scared" of feminists.

BooyFuckingHoo · 26/02/2011 00:25

that's a great idea hully.

PeterAndreForPM · 26/02/2011 00:25

I think there may be one or two extras after this evening...

Hullygully · 26/02/2011 00:25

Why don't we have a feminism for beginners thread?

Fem-lite? Where people can be gently introduced to concepts and ideas and ask questions without feeling they shouldn't?

zikes · 26/02/2011 00:24

Call it the happy fluffy kittehz board.

Hullygully · 26/02/2011 00:23

where is the love?

And what Tethers said

Or

I agree with Tethers

I don't have any pjs, Peter (pore ol me)

Original poster
fangbanger · 26/02/2011 00:23

My agenda is that i find it dissapointing that so many women are put off of discussing feminist issues.

can't see why that is confusing.

My last name was Yogididabooboo, if that helps at all. But as i namechange frequently i doubt any will stick out particularly.

I am always a little surprised when any woman says that they aren't a feminist. It seems odd to me. So for a large number of what i woudl consider intelligent and articulate women to be "scared" to post her is saddening to me.

As i have said, i am ignorant by comparison to many f you on these boards. But i am vain and thick skinned enough to post anyway.

I merely wanted to discuss ways to make the board less intimidating to the rest of the boards. Im not sure that menas dumbing down. I think the fact the board is so very informative is why it is such a great resource for those who have maybe never looked at feminist theory before. It gives a lot of the more in depth theory in bite size portions, re written in more laymen terms iyswim.

Im not sure what the answer is, which is why is started the thread

OP posts:
tethersend · 26/02/2011 00:23

Don't worry, Boo- I'm in a nightie. And clogs. And a Panama hat