To tell all the black mumsnetters we now have our own forum

[Marg33t]

Thanks to the fab PatricksRum for fighting against racism we've got our own board here

Look for black mumsnetters 👍🏿

@Ablackrussian

Why can't I speak to other black people about black issues/life without being made to feel guilty about it?

It's peculiar.

Because you didn't ask permission properly from those it doesn't concern and you were not apologetic and pleasing enough when they objected.

The response has been disgraceful.

It's pretty apparent that those who are against blumsnet just want to control the narrative, constantly. Why is that? Seriously, if this bothers you, ask yourself why? It's like certain people on here think they have the God-given right to oversee blumsnet on Mumsnet, especially those who know nothing about/have experienced the topics in hand.

EDSGFC, No, they shouldn't have to keep trying, you're right. But rather than looking at me for the answers, and spitting your dummy out, ask MNHQ. I'd be happy to support

@Ablackrussian

EDSGFC, No, they shouldn't have to keep trying, you're right. But rather than looking at me for the answers, and spitting your dummy out, ask MNHQ. I'd be happy to support

Because I don't think it's my place to ask for separate boards for other groups - that absolutely is segregation, a white person asking for a separate board for other ethnicities.

I will absolutely support any such request though because apparently it's the white posters supportive voices that matter, sadly.

@EDSGFC but it's your place to complain and object to this subforum for black mumsnetters?

I encourage and support any other demographic to request their own talking space from MN. It may sound dismissive, but it's not. It's just become apparent to me since discussing the new black area, that it truly does need to be asked for before it can happen.

If you checked on Monday and suddenly saw 'AsianNet' or 'JewNet', I really don't think you'd be impressed. I sincerely think that MNHQ needs input from the appropriate demographics in order to proceed with these requests. Agreeing and proceeding to create a space for black users at their request doesn't mean they're qualified to decide what other people want or need.

Please, honestly, from the bottom of my heart, ask MNHQ. I've had so much fun today talking to people about niche things that I never get to talk about. Everybody deserves the same, it's a good feeling. Please ask. Site Stuff would be easier to ask through, because more users can discuss their opinions with each other than people can in multiple separate email chains to MNHQ.

Also, thanks again Patricks. Today has been a good day

@Stripesgalore

‘How can we have a FWR board and not one for the men? Etc etc etc‘

In its early days FWR was plagued by trolls, whataboutery etc. MN’s position was that it was a board about feminism not for feminists.

I hope MN has learnt from that and moderates the new board to focus on black women’s voices rather than allowing huge amounts of trolling from other websites and whataboutery.

FWR is absolutely plagued by the above today. Goady anti-feminists post all the time. It's also modded with special rules so males don't get their knickers in a twist.

Have as many forums as needed; it just sticks in the craw that FWR is forced to centre male fragility when clearly, Mumsnet understands the need not to centre whiteness in a black space.

The next forum that's desperately needed is one that's anti-Semite free.

@WhatDoIDooDIoDtahW

^Would be interesting to have a database of everyone’s ages here and see in what age group are white people offended by black people having their own board.

Or is it just me that finds that sort of thing interesting..^

You wouldn't be trying to sneak some ageism into this thread as well as racism, would you?

And as for your suggestion of FOMO - get away with you. How arrogant to assume that other posters in a site as large as this might be talking about you!

@EDSGFC

why didn't Mumsnet canvas everyone and ask if there were any other groups who wanted a separate board and then set then all up at the same time?

MNHQ never do this, about any issue, demographic or interest. It's always up to the users to ask for it.

MNHQ never do this, about any issue, demographic or interest. It's always up to the users to ask for it.

They did do it when they wanted to remove separate boards or to amalgamate boards. They asked then what people's feelings were about that.

I've just joined Mumsnet at 3 months pregnant and am so happy to see that there is a space for black mums to chat and speak about issues that affect them.

Concerning and tiring to see that the fact that a Black Mums board has been created is already drawing complaints of racism and apartheid?! Bloody hell apartheid! Trying to turn a system that historically truly negatively affected black people to fit your narrative is beyond frankly!

It will be a safe space to talk through issues that affect us surely. Why is that so triggering to people?

Anyway, lovely to meet you all and I will be joining the Black Mums Board as a mixed African/Welsh woman (to help the posters asking about if mixed race are allowed) I count myself as Black so I will be joining 😊

@EDSGFC

MNHQ never do this, about any issue, demographic or interest. It's always up to the users to ask for it.

They did do it when they wanted to remove separate boards or to amalgamate boards. They asked then what people's feelings were about that.

But that's very different from starting new boards. Given that content is supplied by MNetters it stands to reason that the boards would be suggested by MNetters too, not MNHQ.

@StormzyinaTCup

Everyone who is mad about this - why do you care if there is another sub-forum on this huge site with at least 150-200 other subforums??????????????????????????????????????????

I'm certainly not mad about it, far from it, however, it is the only one of the 150-200 sub forums that is defined by the colour of someone's skin. As I posted way back it just feels a bit of a backward move.

Have you considered that it is because it's exactly that the colour of our skin that means black people have been marginalised, and deemed second class citizens, in much of the world (second class specifically to white people) throughout history; and that this marginalisation can create a sense of shared experience?

And that some of us might want to discuss that shared experience together, among ourselves?

And that we might prefer to have these discussions not interrupted by white people constantly saying, why are you special, why are you segregating yourself, I want to be included, waaaaaaah, racism!? (as has happened on this thread)

And yes, there may be black people who don't want to discuss these matters and they are welcome not to join in. But why should they prevent those that do from doing so?

@WhatDoIDooDIoDtahW Do you mean you're worried that they might be talking about you? I don't know about your friends of course but having had a quick look at the BlackMumsnetters forum I have already learned some interesting new facts and I don't think you are mentioned at all.

Because I don't think it's my place to ask for separate boards for other groups

If it’s not your place to ask for a board on behalf of another group, why is it your place to complain about a board for black people?

@Happylittlethoughts

"Sanitisethat

Safe spaces are not segregation.

It isn’t segregation for women to want women-only spaces. It isn’t segregation for gay people to want gay bars. It isn’t segregation for welsh male voice choirs to only have male voices. It isn’t segregation to have a ‘ladies in finance’ networking organisation. It isn’t segregation to have BAME working groups in political parties.

Any group has a right to seek out spaces where they can share their experiences with other groups who share the same background as them. This is not a new, controversial or unusual thing. My work has twenty different committees - a women’s network, an LGBT network, a BAME network, a parents’ network. None of this is remotely comparable to segregation.

Segregation was a specific act of oppression forced upon Black people by white people for the specific purpose of limiting their power, reducing their opportunities, preventing them from accessing wealth and depriving them of a range of basic civil liberties. It was one of the most unjustifiable atrocities ever wrought on any group of people in the history of the world.

So please, just stop. Stop watering it down and claiming you’re a victim of segregation thanks to the mere existence of a board which doesn’t cater to your particular experience. Stop acting as if this board sets a new and dangerous precedent when mumsnet is filled with specific boards catering to different groups already, none of which are the cause of any controversy whatsoever. Stop with this painful ignorance and entitlement."
💗🙌🙌💪
This this this!! Listen ffs

This in spades. Segregation is when a powerful group excludes and ring-fences a minority groups and denies them access to places, products, etc.

It is not: gay people wanting to discuss gay matters among themselves, grannies wanting to discuss ggc among themselves, women wanting to discuss female-specific matters among themselves etc etc.

I can't believe the apartheid comments!!!!!

Women are not allowed to discuss female matters among themselves! Why does everyone keep using that example!!

Welcome to MN ArtCats

@Sanitisethat

Because I don't think it's my place to ask for separate boards for other groups

If it’s not your place to ask for a board on behalf of another group, why is it your place to complain about a board for black people?

Apparently she’s also ‘upset’ that black people have been ignored when setting up this forum for black people.

Apparently she’s also ‘upset’ that black people have been ignored when setting up this forum for black people.

Absolutely - she’s upset at the white people who expressed favourable views about the forum but sees no issue with being a white voice expressing unfavourable views about the forum. The logic is... not good.

I applaud the intention of the board. It will be interesting to see how it pans out though. Because this is the internet. You can't be certain anyone is the colour they claim to be. But you also can't just exclude/ban anyone who isnt singing from the same hymn sheet, because just like people anywhere, black people will not all have the same views, or shared experiences. A wealthy Nigerian is going to have a very different perspective to a low income British person of black Caribbean ancestry. Mixed race people are going to add a whole other angle.

Anyone expecting a trouble free board of calm agreement is going to be disappointed.

Anyone expecting a trouble free board of calm agreement is going to be disappointed

FWR is totally full of argy- bargy. And yet it is a vital, fantastic resource shrug

@Sanitisethat

Apparently she’s also ‘upset’ that black people have been ignored when setting up this forum for black people.

Absolutely - she’s upset at the white people who expressed favourable views about the forum but sees no issue with being a white voice expressing unfavourable views about the forum. The logic is... not good.

And your logic is, because you are taking issue with a white woman speaking in support of black women who disagree with the proposal yet supporting white women agreeing with black women who do want the board.

So, basically you're ok with white people speaking up for some black people but not others??? That's not logical either is it?

I think there will be some BAME posters who will still post on the AIBU board. Some people don’t want to just post on a board where everyone is in agreement with everything they say and do because some people want opinions across a wider audience, whether in agreement or not. And of course you will still have those looking for a bun fight who want to invite negativity so they can have a rant.