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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To expect Mumsnet NOT TO ALLOW OPENLY RACIST THREADS TO STAND UNDELETED?

235 replies

Hurlyburly · 10/09/2007 11:23

Hmm? Well AM I?

If someone tells me not to click on the FUCKING thread in question, I think I will explode. Racism should have no place on Mumsnet.

OP posts:
Tortington · 10/09/2007 11:53

maybe they can make it a secret place - a la special needs.

LoveAngel · 10/09/2007 11:57

To hear people talk sometimes...@WB ...I often do wonder if people take that on board before posting.

choccybuttons · 10/09/2007 11:57

But is this really a big suprise to everyone? I mean really?

No it's not nice to read threads like that if you get offended by it but most of the stuff written in the posts have all been heard before.

Wolfgirl · 10/09/2007 12:07

Hurly - I totally agree. It would be awful, I wouldnt stomach it very well tbh. I get very defensive on my DSs behalf if I think kids wont play with him blah blah blah. (you didnt need to do the blah blah bit btw

But I stand my ground and say that if we dont discuss these things, how will people change? How then can you get alongside someone and encourage them to think differently. Threads like this will keep cropping up periodically, and the same offended will cry out and retaliate.

Its called education and encouraging someone to have a change of heart, and if that dont work, then least ways learn to be more tolerant - dont you think? what gives anyone the right to take acceptance to such things anyway? And someone did point out that years ago, a child with black skin would most definatley have been the minority in a class of white children. It would certainly have been the case in my school days. Was it right then? absolutely not, but it happened, and that poor child would have had to cope with it etc. But times have changed, people have changed. Its just that some people are still not 'used' to it, and need help.

Am I wrong to think this? I dont. This is a huge subject Hurly, and I doubt most us MNs have time to get into such deep profound subjects - especially with LOs round our ankles.

Sorry - I have to go but I do see your angle on things - I just differ with this particular case.

Hurlyburly · 10/09/2007 12:09

Thanks for the advice, Cod.

So what do you do when you see a coven of racists getting together and cosily exchanging the same nasty little views?

Erm, register a polite objection? Flounce? Shrug it off? Is there no code of conduct that racism is not allowed?

OP posts:
Desiderata · 10/09/2007 12:13

Hurly, you really need to lighten up.

Wolfgirl · 10/09/2007 12:14

Yes Hurly, you seem overly riled at the other thread. Are you OK? take a cyber hug and coffee from us MNs.

Cashncarry · 10/09/2007 12:15

I really can't see where you saw a "coven of racists" on that thread Hurly. Maybe I'm just being a bit dumb but although some of the posts made uncomfortable reading for me personally, I didn't think they sounded BNP like in the least.

TBH, I think that your problem may be that you have too much of a "them and us" attitude. Ironically that is exactly the problem of the OP and those who agreed with her.

I wish you would reconsider your point of view on having the thread deleted. I think you clearly have very strong views on this subject and those who don't have the same kind of experience would really benefit from your input.

choccybuttons · 10/09/2007 12:15

'So what do you do when you see a coven of racists getting together and cosily exchanging the same nasty little views?'

You look at them and think what a sad bunch of narrow minded tossers. You don't try and get the thread deleted because that won't erase the issue, it would simply be putting a temporory band aid over the it. Like someone said, we need threads like that now and again, not so people can throw nasty rastist comments about but so people can educate those who have these nasty views and maybe try and change their perspective. It won't change everyone's views but even if it only changed a few, that would be a good thing wouldn't it?

LoveAngel · 10/09/2007 12:17

I don't think HB is 'overly riled'. I think she appears to feel strongly about a very serious issue. The place for hugs and coffee is Netmums by the way. Even a newbie like HB knows that much.

lionheart · 10/09/2007 12:20

Hurly, the views expressed there (and some are vile) are being challenged.

I know there can be a gut reaction to what is being said and obviously, to the title, but an interesting debate has emerged from the initial OP.

Wolfgirl · 10/09/2007 12:21

dont scrap LoveAngel. ffs

LoveAngel · 10/09/2007 12:22

Don't patromnise, then, FGS.

LoveAngel · 10/09/2007 12:22

patronise, even

choccybuttons · 10/09/2007 12:26

Oh god the netmums card has been played has it.

EscapeFrom · 10/09/2007 12:27

How would deleting it help?

Really?

It would be like draping kitchen towel over dog shit.

The dog shit needs to be cleaned up, not covered up. Same with racism.

LoveAngel · 10/09/2007 12:30

Have to go in a sec, but look, to clarify - I think some people have found comments on the thread really very close to the bone. While some may want to debate the subject and others may choose to ignore the thread, some people may actually be very angry about it and find it unacceptable. Why is that so hard to understand? Another card I will play right back at ya, choccy - if you don't like it, why not leave the thread? cackles and flounces...just for a bit, though!

TigerFeet · 10/09/2007 12:31

I wouldn't say that the thread is openly racist at all. There are a lot of unpleasant, xenophobic views on there but there are also people with genuine, valid concerns.

An openly racist thread would read thus:
Poster: All white people are above any other race. Sling everyone else out of the country.
OtherPoster: Wholeheartedly agree. Let's join the BNP pronto

Apologies if the above seems trite btw, just a very generalised way of getting my point across.

The thread in question has morphed into a debate about immigration with differing views that are being challenged by both sides. Nothing wrong with that if you ask me.

choccybuttons · 10/09/2007 12:32

If i don't like what?

Or should i say netmums is waaaay better like you did

FluffyMummy123 · 10/09/2007 12:32

Message withdrawn

IcingOnTheCake · 10/09/2007 12:43

I don't understand why you would request for the other thread to be deleted then start your own thread about rasism? Surely if you didn't want rasism to be discusted you wouldn't start a thread

Oh and the mumsnet card is always a lame way of saying nananana to mumsnet!

IcingOnTheCake · 10/09/2007 12:44

Sorry that was netmum card not mumsnet!

Hurlyburly · 10/09/2007 12:47

I am not starting a thread about racism.

I have started a thread about the unacceptability of racism.

There's a difference.

Just as there is a difference between a thread discussing race relations, and a thread expressing openly racist views.

OP posts:
CatIsSleepy · 10/09/2007 12:51

didn't follow the other thread the whole way through and don't have time to read it all now...

The OP was very poorly worded and lots of people made it clear they found it offensive

when she came back she clarified her concerns which did not seem wholly unreasonable

seemed like a potentially interesting discussion but not one I could make a great contribution to not having a dd at pre-school, so I didn't go back to it

sounds like some unpalatable opinions were expressed-
guess there's a lot out there, unfortunately

Agree with EscapeFrom-
I don't think it's possible to sweep it all under the carpet
perhaps it's healthier to have it out in the open and being discussed and challenged

stillsleeping · 10/09/2007 13:05

hurley, whether you like it or not there are a lot of people in this country who feel forgotton and whose views are becoming more and more extreme because they feel that white people don't count. Now before you start jumping on the fact that i've used the word 'white', can i ask why it's any more offensive to want white interests to be looked after by the powers that be, than muslim, or gay rights or any other.

It's the fact that people would rather shout 'RACIST!' than listen to people's genuine concerns that leads to people in places like Barking voting in the bnp. If you don't believe me, go and see for yourself.

In a truly equal society people from all backgrounds would be treated equally, and left wing white people wouldn't be embarassed about being so.

i'm bloody left wing so i should know.