Black section on MN

[PatricksRum]

I think it would be great if Mumsnet could make a black parents section/ section for black users.

@needaMNnamegenerator

Lastly I don't think it's reasonable to ask for Black moderation.

Again from a business perspective this opens floodgates that are not business viable.

MNHQ can't fund only feminist mods for FWR or mods with teen children for the teenagers topic and so on.

We've already seen from this thread, sadly, that there are a whole lot of people on MN who have issues with this new area. Hopefully once it's up and running they'll at least bugger off and leave you all to your own devices if they can't be supportive from a distance.

But - I wonder if there needs to be a clear moderation on what isn't acceptable on this new forum to ward off some of the inevitable trolls
/ racism both conscious and unconscious. Kind of like the feminist section has its own moderation rules, except set in agreement rather than forced upon the board.

If MN don't have the resources to supply black moderators, could a compromise be that the moderation rules for this section are drawn up in consultation with a core group of black women driving the new area (or with the board as a whole)? That way, although not moderated by black MNHQers all the time, they would at least be moderating in agreement with the board.

As to whether this is needed - you could have a look at MNs moderation policy and see if you think it covers the policy you'd need.

Of course, you could just go for it and hope for the best - as you'll find out once it gets going whether more moderation than the standard boards is needed. (I hope it won't, but sadly this thread suggests some people might indeed need certain things SPELLING PUT IN BIG LETTERS )

This was my thinking too.

Opposition to us having our apace disguised under "concern for Mumsnet's funds"

That's a really good idea.
If we can't have a black moderator then perhaps adding to the talk guidelines as I don't think they fully cover what we would need.

It's absolutely relevant to consider the financial implications of new topics in the sense that MN is a business

It really isn't.

I take it you're subscribed to premium?

I find the whole commercial argument rather distasteful, actually.

Did Scottish and Irish MNetters have to justify the introduction of their boards? Did we have to calculate how many dads might be on MN before Dadsnet could be created?

You say you're supportive of the idea, but it really doesn't sound like it.

It's absolutely relevant to consider the financial implications of new topics in the sense that MN is a business not a user community

It's both!

I don't know about anyone else but my eyes glazed over reading DeRigueurMortis post. If site users ask for a specific topic they really don't need to worry about advertising revenue! Thats MNHQ's job to work out and deal with.

@HepzibahGreen

It's absolutely relevant to consider the financial implications of new topics in the sense that MN is a business not a user community

It's both!

I don't know about anyone else but my eyes glazed over reading DeRigueurMortis post. If site users ask for a specific topic they really don't need to worry about advertising revenue! Thats MNHQ's job to work out and deal with.

Totally agree.

I'm yet to see these posts on the coronavirus topic for example.

Mumsnet's business isn't our business.

I know the OP is aiming for a Black section rather than BAME (or Global Majority) but I'd really find it helpful to join discussions on many topics relevant to my DD (many parenting issues, schooling, some political issues - she's of an ethnicity that's not on the UK census but in her birth country, she's in the group that gets stopped by police, called lazy/criminal/gang members etc).
But if it's definitely Black I'll sit on my hands and listen.

@BIWI

I find the whole commercial argument rather distasteful, actually.

Did Scottish and Irish MNetters have to justify the introduction of their boards? Did we have to calculate how many dads might be on MN before Dadsnet could be created?

You say you're supportive of the idea, but it really doesn't sound like it.

I assure you I am supportive of the idea.

There seems to be a misunderstanding.

I'm not nor ever have said that the creation of a black topic should be a purely financial decision.

I've been explicit that I think a black topic is a good idea and agreed that the references to ScotNet etc are good examples of precedent in this regard (but only in the sense they do not have sub sections).

The point I was making is that the success of such a topic will be based on the amount of content and page views it generates and by starting off with multiple subs under a black umbrella topic you stand to dilute that.

Content generates content which in turn attracts users, so it makes sense to collate as much of that in the same topic to begin with to create a space that has broad appeal to as many target potential users as possible.

To be clear I do think there should be a black topic I'm just cautioning against starting with multiple subs to start with - better to let it grow organically and add subs based on user behaviour/content.

That's an opinion based on years of industry experience.

So feel free to take my comments on board or not but respectfully don't insinuate I'm some how covertly (or overtly) trying to prevent the creation of this space within the site.

@drspouse

I know the OP is aiming for a Black section rather than BAME (or Global Majority) but I'd really find it helpful to join discussions on many topics relevant to my DD (many parenting issues, schooling, some political issues - she's of an ethnicity that's not on the UK census but in her birth country, she's in the group that gets stopped by police, called lazy/criminal/gang members etc). But if it's definitely Black I'll sit on my hands and listen.

There's a multicultural families topic.

I'm not insinuating anything! I was saying quite clearly that I didn't think you sounded supportive, despite you saying that you are.

I doubt very much that all the topics on MN are analysed in the way you suggest. If so, there surely wouldn't be boards like Fishnet.

If so, there surely wouldn't be boards like Fishnet.

Gosh, how have we got to 2020 where a topic for fishes gets less abuse than a topic for black people

Racism is alive and kicking.

Why? What kind of topics might be on there that aren't on the existing boards?

It's a great idea OP.

Why would I be banned @PatricksRum I’m of Afro Caribbean heritage. I fit the bill perfectly.

@EmbarrassedUser

Why would I be banned *@PatricksRum* I’m of Afro Caribbean heritage. I fit the bill perfectly.

For your racist comment.

Which of my comments was racist @PatricksRum I’m utterly confused 🤷‍♀️

@EmbarrassedUser

Which of my comments was racist *@PatricksRum* I’m utterly confused 🤷‍♀️

The first comment/ question in your post.

I shan't repeat.

So by asking you whether it would be appropriate for a white Person to ask for this board I’m a racist? But it’s not racist for a BAME person to ask the same?

Just so I’m clear on my offence here.

@EmbarrassedUser

So by asking you whether it would be appropriate for a white Person to ask for this board I’m a racist? But it’s not racist for a BAME person to ask the same?

Just so I’m clear on my offence here.

You didn't ask

You suggested we are getting preferential treatment because we are black.

The point I was making is that the success of such a topic will be based on the amount of content and page views it generates and by starting off with multiple subs under a black umbrella topic you stand to dilute that.

Content generates content which in turn attracts users, so it makes sense to collate as much of that in the same topic to begin with to create a space that has broad appeal to as many target potential users as possible.

To be clear I do think there should be a black topic I'm just cautioning against starting with multiple subs to start with - better to let it grow organically and add subs based on user behaviour/content.

None of that is for the OP to worry about, or for you for that matter unless you're thinking of getting a job working for Mumsnet?

I've never seen posts like yours on any of the other threads asking for specific topics.

MNHQ deleted your post EmbarressedUser not Patrick.
Take it up with HQ.

*None of that is for the OP to worry about, or for you for that matter unless you're thinking of getting a job working for Mumsnet?

I've never seen posts like yours on any of the other threads asking for specific topics.*

Still none the wiser if this poster subscribes to premium.

Interesting how Mumsnet's finances are only a concern when thinking of creating a safe space for black people. Hmm

@PatricksRum I really think you’re taking offence where there’s none to be taken. From my point of view MN would be opening itself up massively to complaints from all groups of society if they do this. Surely BAME people all want to be known as who they are as People not for the colour of their skin so by having a black board aren’t you just highlighting differences even more? Do we need a Hispanic/Asian etc etc board? This is what the threads are for. Someone mentioned hair in S and B so Afro hair can be talked about in there in the same way that different hair types e.g. curly/very blonde (rubbish examples) but basically showing that anything goes.

[quote EmbarrassedUser]@PatricksRum I really think you’re taking offence where there’s none to be taken. From my point of view MN would be opening itself up massively to complaints from all groups of society if they do this. Surely BAME people all want to be known as who they are as People not for the colour of their skin so by having a black board aren’t you just highlighting differences even more? Do we need a Hispanic/Asian etc etc board? This is what the threads are for. Someone mentioned hair in S and B so Afro hair can be talked about in there in the same way that different hair types e.g. curly/very blonde (rubbish examples) but basically showing that anything goes.[/quote]
Are you black?

Did that just happen?
Is defo happening a lot on these threads.