MNHQ

[Waltermittythesequel]

I've been a member of MN for almost a decade (I had to re-reg after the hacking debacle). I know there has always been contention and controversy but I can honestly say this is the first time I've ever been sickened by MN members and by you, HQ.

Over the last few days there has been thread after thread bashing Ireland, being xenophobic, insulting and downright nasty and you, HQ, have let them all stand.

I believe now, that the English attitude to Ireland is unfortunately as bad as it ever was and it is perpetrated by business like yours for not taking a stand against it. I can only assume you agree with the shit being spouted.

I have loved it here but I can't engage on a forum where such behaviour is tolerated without even an attempt to do something about it.

You should be utterly ashamed of yourselves. I'd like to say it's been fun but frankly, the last few days have negated any enjoyment I've ever had here.

I've just read two threads in active conversations that have been the straws that broke the camel's back.

I'm not expecting anyone to give a shit about my flouncing, by the way. I'm not expecting attention. I AM expecting a barrage of abuse and oh-so-hilarious insults. It doesn't bother me.

For a 'supportive' website, MN, you've really let yourself down.

Great post JustaScreenName.

for you Walter.

There's a fairly constant undercurrent of anti-Irish sentiment on MN, which sometimes manifests itself in outright sneering, as in recent days, and sometimes in patronising 'ho-ho-ho, aren't those Irish a great laugh' comments, and sometimes in blithe goady ignorance.

OP I'm sorry to say you're being a total drama queen. I have read the threads- there is a lot of ignorance on there. A LOT. But xenophobia? Post one comment here that is xenophobic to the Irish nation.

Don't try and be so hard bloody done by. You haven't seen it before because no one was talking about Ireland before. With world wide attention comes criticism. Blimey imagine being American? Taking the blame for the Iraqi war etc (which we've had a lot of criticism here for, ditto financial crisis) don't take criticism of the country seriously- you can educate if you wish or ignore- but you can't get het up with the constant bashing it's pointless. And yes, if it were xenophobia it would be wrong. But it's not, unless I have totally missed some comments.

Not even remotely Irish OP but I completely agree (that there have been Irish-bashing posts, I reserve judgement on what MNHQ should be doing).

It's really not ok to say "If you don't like the offensive posts, don't read them". Is that how we treat racist or disabilist posts, tell people they can say whatever they like and minorities or disabled people just shouldn't read them?

If we can't see it, it's not happening.

Great way to tackle life.

Diamond it's not even subtle - read crustsaway's appallingly ignorant and patronising comments on [http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/2386693-Irish-bashing this thread]. I mean, seriously. If you know nothing about an issue, why be so entitled and naive - or disingenuous - to voice an opinion on it?

Rats - here.

Absolutely agree with JustAScreenName's posts, especially this:

I get why each individual thread was allowed to stand, but taken together they do send a very clear message that as far as many on here are concerned, Ireland has no business having a sense of pride about itself and we will be very quickly put back in the inferior place we occupy in some minds around here.

I'm welsh and know exactly what you mean. It's moronic behaviour from moronic people. Ignore, ignore , ignore! But don't leave......

MNHQ seem very reluctant to act on verbal attacks on people in other countries for some reason. The stuff about Ireland has been awful, and there is often some pretty awful stuff about Scotland too

I think that imo MNHQ handles reports/queries into posts with regards to denigrating Ireland, NI badly any way and has done for a fair wee bit. Tbh I think they shite themselves when a thread with regard for example to NI pops up. I think it was two NYEs ago (the same one as the huge kerfuffle on NYE) when there was a long thread on Site Stuff with regards to it that was left unanswered by MNHQ for a long time.

I've read the threads over the past few days and some of the posts have been thick as shit and have made less sense. I wouldn't leave over it, but it has left a bad taste.

Yeah, I remember that one wigglesrock

Irish here and sick of all the threads over the past few days. Particularly the 'irish women need rescued' and the 'Sinn fein/ IRA' ones. Patronising attitudes and ignorance shown. But I didn't report posts so I suppose I shouldn't be complaining

Crustaway hasn't posted any xenophobic comments. They have said the Catholic Church are weird and hypocrites and Irish woman don't have equality.
FOr Christ sake, xenophobic would be "all Irish people are thick bog trotters"
There is nothing there about the Irish peoples. Again, if I've missed it could you point it out (the sentence, I don't think I'll re read 6 pages again in case I missed something )

You seen the trans threads at the moment. Couple going on in chat and they're tame compared to what happens on FWR.

Most people not affected by such threads don't see them as bashing. It's only when it affects you personally that you often notice them.

If Irish people are saying they have found the posts/threads xenophobic and anti-Irish, Diamonds, why are you contradicting them? Do you think you know better than Irish people what anti-Irish sentiment looks like?

Crusts implied that the church and the people are one and the same. She called the people weird and backward, among other things.

From what I've seen over the last few days the site has been massively pro Irish following the brilliant Yes vote in the Irish referendum - but I guess there can always be other threads lurking somewhere that escape your notice. They sound very childish to me. I hope you've seen the threads covering the Irish referendum too - that's been the place to be

Crusts posts were a fucking disgrace. What a charmer she comes across as. you just know though that she Would never say any of that to an Irish person face to face. She's a keyboard warrior, and that's being kind to her..

The irish are often the butt of the joke here on MN. Much sniggering up sleeves and it has been brought to HQ's attention several times to my knowledge, each time received a pathetic "report if you see anything" wishy washy, we aren't really bothered so wont do anything response. I really dont expect anything different this time.

And of course there are the "dont like it, dont read it" trotted out every time.

It seems there is a strong desire to protect the right to ridicule the irish. People get very aggressive when you suggest they could try to, you know, not do that.

Diamond I didn't say xenophobic, I said patronising / ignorant.

But to inject some positivity into the thread, for anyone interested, this is an utterly fab kid's history book with lovely illustrations - The 100 Greatest Moments in Irish History.

Most people not affected by such threads don't see them as bashing. It's only when it affects you personally that you often notice them.

This^ !!! And the problem is MNHQ are I'm guessing not often personally affected....

The irish are often the butt of the joke here on MN

Many people are. Not just Irish people. You probably don't see it or recognise it if it doesn't involve you. Then MNHQ say there's nothing to see here but report anything.

Hi there,
Thanks for reporting, we're treading a fine line here regarding the current focus on Ireland, do report if you see anything that breaks guidelines.

Best,

^^
Mn response to my report to take a look at this thread

I agree orlando, however this thread is specifically about the way ireland/the irish are referred to.