Black section on MN

[PatricksRum]

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

I do think it is needed, the multicutural section isn’t adequate as culture doesn’t mean non-white, but it is also in a parenting specific area, where as someone may want to talk about employment, places to live, hair and beauty etc.

The frothy racists may invade with their racist comments from time to time, like the poster who requires people to prove their ethnicity to MN if that ethnicity isn’t a white one. Or the handful of posters who have PM’d me to complain that I have mentioned my ethnicity, or MNHQ who once deleted one of my posts because mentioning my ethnicity was something that “we can’t leave things like that stand, I’m afraid”.

I think it's a great idea. There's a lot about the black experience that I don't even know about, let alone also experience. It would be much easier for black posters to discuss those things without first having to explain what they are and then convince skeptical white people that they are indeed a thing. I can't see why anyone would be against that tbh.

I think it’s a great idea. I can’t imagine having to sit my dcs down and explain how to behave around the police so as not to be a target, or any of the other myriad things I am lucky not to have to worry about because of the colour of my skin.

I think the feminism board has a thread that someone has taken the time to write all the basic arguments out on for certain subjects, and links to articles, so that anyone posting those “questions” can just be given the link without anyone having to do the mental load of explaining things each and every time. But it does mean someone having to write the post in the first place! Just an idea. MN could sticky it to the top of the subject too so no one could pretend they didn’t know they were being an arse.

@justanotherneighinparadise

It strikes me as a slippery slope of separatism based on colour which hasn’t worked well in the past. But I can also see the benefit of it 🥴.

Do you also see other boards that "separate" on the basis of, say, disability or sexuality a slippery slope too? Or are they just somewhere to discuss specific issues...?

[quote Silvercatowner]**@PatricksRum* can I just say I think you are awesome*.[/quote]

Thank you silver!

It's only been a few posts that I've had to fight with this morning but it really is draining.

To hear that mskes me tearful

Apologies if this has already been said, but is segregation of races on the boards not a bit backwards?

@BullshitVivienne

I cannot believe how pissy some people are being. Going to report a few posts and see just how seriously MNHQ takes racism.

I think that it's better if those comments remain. They are quite enlightening. I asked early on on the thread whether Mumsnet was perceived to be racist, and I've seen a side this morning that I previously had not.

@BoggledBudgie

Apologies if this has already been said, but is segregation of races on the boards not a bit backwards?

Apology accepted.

How is it segregation?

Even if it were, white people segregated us and continue to do so.

I’m conflicted on this.

Black women should absolutely post about their specific challenges (‘the talk’ referred to by OP, afro hair, Christ, even the horrible ugly stuff like feeling victimised or discriminated against). I think it’s really important there is space for everyone. And of course that list is in no way exhaustive, it just echoes what has been mentioned in this thread.

But it makes me sad to think it would be scurried away in a separate forum. Other people will only increase their understanding and develop empathy by reading from the perspective of others.

Might it be the case that for each person who was pleased there was a separate topic, another might be offended / upset about the perceived segregation?

MN is a space for everyone but I do see how at times it doesn’t feel that way.

And I don’t mean that in a “you don’t deserve your own space” way! I think if the majority of black people want a separate board on MN they should have one. God knows I’d not know how to advise on things directly relating to black lives. Just worried it’d be seen as segregation (if that at all makes sense? Maybe I’ve just not had enough tea yet!)

@KittyMcKitty

MNHQ please make this happen.

PatricksRum I’m so sorry so many posters are incapable of listening to what black women are actually saying they want.

To those of you saying the OP isn’t asking in the right way, is excluding people and all the standard racist guff maybe reflect on what you are saying.

Thank you Kitty!

I really hope Mumsnet can facilitate this if not only because of recent events.

@PatricksRum I didn’t mean it in a hostile way, I’m sorry if it came across as so

I think the FWR board is a good example of how a separate board get good traffic, which I suspect will be Mumsnet’s big worry about hiving off smaller sections. I hope they go for it.

No this wouldn’t be something I would want.

@BoggledBudgie

Apologies if this has already been said, but is segregation of races on the boards not a bit backwards?

I assume that you cross posted with soupdragon who provided a perfect and succinct answer.

And by segregation I meant towards yourselves, in case it made posters feel like they couldn’t use the main boards and had to post only on the boards for black people. I think black people bring a lot of value to the main boards, and I think there should be a much tougher line on any sort of racism on the main boards

[quote BoggledBudgie]@PatricksRum I didn’t mean it in a hostile way, I’m sorry if it came across as so[/quote]
Me neither.

I'm naturally blunt, and that's putting it kindly.

It wouldn't be segregated. I, for one, would love all races to look ay the board and listen and learn.

Anyone remember the recent thread where a company was specifically looking to offer training to black men?

Standard racist MN comments.

At the moment due to a vocal minority MN isn’t a safe space to talk about specific issues about ethnicity when that ethnicity isn’t white.

@ElizabethMainwaring I did, apologies! Soup dragon has answered that perfectly

@PatricksRum I’m not so much blunt as I have no eloquence when trying to voice my thoughts. I appreciate bluntness much more than my ramblings!

As with all topics on mumsnet surely everyone just inputs and reads what they are interested in? The sections and subsections are just a form of organising mass amounts of information. There is nothing stopping anyone posting a thread about hair now on the beauty board?

I think if we as a society want an integrated society we all need to behave that way, so no segregating off areas is not an inclusive idea so I don't agree its required.

Good idea op

I don't think people are scared of a separate board, more sad that it should be needed

It's not segregation. It's a space for black people to discuss issues which affect them.