Black section on MN

[PatricksRum]

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

If black people want their own board, fine. But with such an argument I don't think anybody should be surprised or upset when a section of white people inevitably ask for a space (not necessarily on Mumsnet)specifically forwhite people

Predictable, but I hope that MNHQ would decline such a request. As the more privileged group, white people do not need their own space, and MNHQ should have the courage to say this.

@kenadams are you uncomfortable with white people being referred to as some kind of faceless opressive mass? This is the same as saying on the feminism board - not all men when discussing our patriachal society. If it doesnt apply to you it shouldnt trigger you.

How else should we be referenced as a group? White people do this to black and asian people ALL THE TIME.

@slipperywhensparticus

Do white parents have the talk?

Yes I constantly have to explain racism in this house my 11 year old questions why it exists he has sen and is very rigid in his thinking he cannot consider how this happens he does not get it at all cannot understand why people behave that way will question for days and days why why why then go back to ignoring colour like it doesn't exist his friends are Sikh and Chinese he sees no difference they are just 11 year old boys like him he tries to understand "humanity" but fails

Interesting but this talk is what moat parents do regardless of ethnicity. But unfortunately is not "the talk" that is being referred to. There was a a talk that we have with our children that starts from the day the start school and it doesn't end! This example is just a very small snippet

@BabyLlamaZen

It's actually racist of mumsnet users to not realise they're being ignorant. There are a million of things specific to black women that you couldn't just easily post about. It would always have to be suffixed something like 'black hair only.

That's simply because the UK is a majority white country, it's not because of racism. It's just a numbers game

[quote YouJustDoYou]@ChanceChanceChanceYes, I know - I was quoting someone else, those weren't my words. Bolded words is quoting someone else.[/quote]
Yes, I'm sorry, I quote, then copy and paste, then unquote - but a child spoke to me (rude!) and I forgot to unquote!

for accidentally implying it was you.

Guess what that’s the sound of?*

Is it the sound of you rushing by the argument in your haste to crack a tedious, oft-seen joke ?

There is a large population of working-class whites in the UK, and elsewhere, who do not feel as if they have benefited much from the much-vaunted 'white privilege'. The stats are there regarding their educational attainment. If segregated spaces based on skin-colour are to be permitted for other ethnicities, because those ethnicities demand it, I don't think it is unreasonable to expect that a fair chunk of the white population might pipe up and demand the same. Now, will those requests be received with a balanced ear and debate ? Or will they be decried as being racist ? Of the issues the OP raised :

• black hair ;
• "the talk" ;
• buying from black businesses ;
• black parenting ;

I don't see any which cannot be covered on any other board - namely Health & Beauty, Parenting, and Shopping. TBH, point 3 strikes me as being astonishingly racist - again, if I'm a white person and suggested I wouldn't shop somewhere based on the skin colour of the proprietor, or would privilege a certain shop based on the skin colour of the proprietor, I would not expect a warm set of replies.

But, again, if the general consensus of black people on MN is that they want their own board, then good for them. I just worry it's the tip-of-the-spear towards a more-segregated society, rather than a more integrated one.

If we have one can it not be called BAME if there was ever a more 'othering' acronym?

BAME=NOT white IMO

Can we call it Global Majority?

There is a large population of working-class whites in the UK, and elsewhere, who do not feel as if they have benefited much from the much-vaunted 'white privilege'.

Well then they don't understand what white privelege is. It's not saying you have an easy life, but just that it's not made harder by the colour of your skin.

And yes to a new topic board.

I think it's a good idea (I'm white). I think MN is very white-centric, I noticed a thread recently asking about the best nude nail polish and every single response was about pale pink or beige polishes and that's a relatively trivial subject. Also this is probably the first time in 10 years posting in MN where I've had to say "I'm white".

I don't see any which cannot be covered on any other board

Then you aren't listening.

I just worry it's the tip-of-the-spear towards a more-segregated society, rather than a more integrated one.

Do you feel the same about the disability and sexuality based boards?

Is it the sound of you rushing by the argument in your haste to crack a tedious, oft-seen joke ?

I know jokes you don’t understand can be boring. It’s ok.

@FlatScreenTV01

My White Grandad was born in Jamaica. Don't be such an ignorant sod OP.

How is that at all relevant given he is white?

There was a thread earlier this week asking what it would be like living in Oxford as a mixed race family. The first response was an accusation of overthinking. The problem with bespoke boards is that they appear in Trending now anyway and respondees often don't notice what board they were originally posted in. Would it be good practice for posters to state their race on race related threads? The usefulness of that second responder on the Oxford thread's race for example is 100% depends on her background.
YY to the 'astonishing this doesn't happen' from white posters.

@Smallsteps88

Is it the sound of you rushing by the argument in your haste to crack a tedious, oft-seen joke ?

I know jokes you don’t understand can be boring. It’s ok.

Urgh, 2 consecutive posts without an engagement with the argument. I know what I consider boring.

As an aside, I had no idea what "the talk" was until Eastenders covered it earlier this year.

We have topics here on sporning and keeping pet fish but somehow a topic which reflects the lives and experiences of a large percentage of women isn't acceptable

This in spades

White privilege just means any difficulties you face are not due to the colour of your skin. Not that you live a life of privilege.

I use the SEN boards as the main boards attract a lot of ignorance (which is ok people cant know about everything, but its tiring wading through the guff) and some outright disability discrimination which stings. I totally get why a black topic would be wanted for the same reasons.

All of the "but what about ... " posts demonstrate your point perfectly op.

Urgh, 2 consecutive posts without an engagement with the argument. I know what I consider boring.

You don’t have an argument. You have a “but but but what about meeeee” whinge.

I just want to check, I’m mixed race and have experienced racism. When people say black do mean all non white ethnic minorities?

@DifficultPifcultLemonDifficult

All of the "but what about ... " posts demonstrate your point perfectly op.

Yep.

“Waaahh! If you’re getting that, we want one too!”

“But you’re not the oppressed group”

“Doesn’t matter. Fairs fair innit. We can’t see green cheese. Waaah!”

OP I apologise for the blatant ignorance and microaggressions coming out here in responses. If black members feel it would be useful and support the idea, I think the obligation is on all non-black posters to support it with MNHQ. We need to not centre conversations around us and actively create a space for black voices to be heard - in whatever way they feel most comfortable with. Once again - I’m sorry you’ve had to deal with some of these comments

But @PapaPoule if you (or working class MNetters) feel strongly there should be a board to discuss working class issues then you can ask for one. I actually think there’s some merit to that, especially around education. But this thread is about a black space. The existence of one doesn’t detract from the other and there is likely to be some cross over just as there is with many other group-specific boards.

I can't see why anyone would have a problem with this tbh and If it stops even a smidgeon of the performative wokeness and pontificating accusations of racism on MN, I am all for it.