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 👍🏿

[Arsewell]

I'm curious about this....is that solely for black people? So no people of indian race, French, chinese? White even? Noone else allowed on it?

Is there anything stopping anyone from different ethnic backgrounds doing what PatricksRum has done and proactively setting up boards aimed at discussion around issues/ topics specific to them?

@DimidDavilby is right BTW.

[Friendsoftheearth]

Oh yay!! Well done, it is great MN have responded x

[Phoenix21]

Thanks to @patricksrum and to all those supportive!

[JovialNickname]

I am really glad you have your own board, which is great (I am white) but don't you feel "othered"? As in here is Mumsnet, and oh there's the separate board for black people. Shouldn't black issues form a centre point of discussion on the main boards rather than being hidden away?

[WorraLiberty]

[quote OhReallyThen]@WorraLiberty

That was literally me asking right there. And I and many other MNetters from other minority races have expressed a want for this over the past few months on multiple threads about racism.

And if you'd read my post properly you'd see I wasn't talking about people from other countries, I am very much british but also a member of an ethnic minority.

You would also just hope that a big company like MN would have the common sense and intelligence to realise that racism goes beyond the black/white narrative and think 'hmmm, one ethnic minority has shown us why they need a safe space, would make sense that others would too, maybe we should look into this'[/quote]
Oh ok I didn't realise you were asking right there.

Have you reported your post so MNHQ can take a look at it?

Or perhaps start a thread in Site Stuff asking for a specific board.

Good luck. I hope you get it

[MrsTerryPratchett]

@DoubleDolphin

"What I find I uncomfortable is the talk of ‘banning’ all posters outside of that specific group."

Yes, that's what makes me feel uncomfortable. It's sort of a bit ironic really and doesnt sit well with me. Maybe that's not what mn wants, but others interpretation of it and that it's not really black only? Because surely that's exactly what happened in apartheid where there were white only areas.

What happened in apartheid was that, amongst other things, police shot black schoolchildren who were protesting. Shot them dead.

So please stop comparing this to that.

[EDSGFC]

@Phoenix21

What is making people think that the board is only for black people?

Errmm, the number of times it was said on the thread discussing the setting up of the board. Usually accompanied by "just fucking shut up and listen" or "go educate yourself"

[OhReallyThen]

From everything i've seen about it (I haven't read every last post on every single thread) it's not about banning people who aren't black from the forum but more of a question of why would they need to be there. Just like with the adoption or SEN or Elderly parents forums - why would you be there if these things have nothing to do with you? You're not dealing with it so won't have any reason to post there for questions/advice, nor do you have any experience dealing with it so you wouldn't be able to answer posts and support others either.

I'm not black so have no real intention to use it but if, for example, i was experiencing a real problem with racism in the work place i might go there and post something along the lines of
'Hi, I'm not black but i am X race and i've been having real trouble with my boss doing this because of my race. I know it's not exactly the same thing but does anyone have any tips on dealing with racism in the workplace from their own experience?'
because i'm sadly more likely to find women who've dealt with racism in the black section than in the general sections of MN and therefore they'd be more able to offer me advice dealing with it.

[dworky]

@unmarkedbythat

Well done, and I am still at the viciousness of the opposition to it

I'm not. Every time anyone mentions racism on here, certain angry people turn up and attempt to close down the discussion.

[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.

[VettiyaIruken]

Fantastic!
The amount of moaning and whataboutary was shocking! It showed the reality here and demonstrated exactly why the section is needed!

[Michaelbaubles]

Does anyone hear “where’s the board for white people?” in the same voice as DC when they wail “but when’s Children’s Day?”.

[Phoenix21]

@OhReallyThen your response to @EDSGFC is 👌🏽

[Friendsoftheearth]

The road to real change is meeting of minds and sharing ideas and solutions, now there is a space on the forum for this, and I am 100% supportive of the idea

[Phoenix21]

@JovialNickname

I am really glad you have your own board, which is great (I am white) but don't you feel "othered"? As in here is Mumsnet, and oh there's the separate board for black people. Shouldn't black issues form a centre point of discussion on the main boards rather than being hidden away?

A poster in a previous thread gave an example where she was directed from S&B to google when she asked about Afro hair.

[DoubleDolphin]

15:10Phoenix21

"What is making people think that the board is only for black people?"

Someone upthread said there was a lot of talk on the thread requesting it that even white people with black children should be banned on it, and also all other races. This might not be what mn want, but apparently a lot of people wanted it to be black people only, excluding any other race. It just doesnt sit right with me. Yes there are other dedicated areas for sen, etc, but noone is being told they are excluded from these areas.

[nanbread]

Congratulations

Did people complain that Scotsnet or Craicnet unfairly excluded English MNers? Does having a board for dog lovers harm those who prefer to keep ferrets as pets? We have one for Style & Beauty, does that constitute some sort of terrible exclusion of people who wish to be neither beautiful nor stylish? Are SEN focussed boards a form of apartheid punishing those who do not have children with SEN? How can we have a FWR board and not one for the men? Etc etc etc.

This.

Some of the comments on here show why it's needed! Jeez. Bet you complained to OFCOM about Diversity too.

[oakleaffy]

I had no idea how much BAME people suffered until a you tube comment from a young black man in USA.. it was in relation to clothing and police searches- he said something that no one should be made to feel.
If one is White, how can we begin to understand what prejudice BAME people may endure?
If Black Only boards are wanted, then I see zero probs with it👍

[GlendaSugarbeanIsJudgingYou]

Can we have a whites only section or one only for women who work full time and earn over a certain amount?

Well, there it is.

[PurpleHoodie]

If MNetters want an Asian board - for example, they could always ask. Site Stuff is that way >>>>

If MNetters want a Mixed-Race board; Multiculteral families and Site Stuff is that way >>>>

If MNetters are racist gobshites; the door is that way >>>>>>

Well done PatricksRum
I hope the Black MNetters here - and others interested in Black MNetters queries - get to enjoy another section.

[Nanalisa60]

I am White , I think it’s a great you have your own forum!! I don’t know why anyone would abject!!

Enjoy your own space!!

Now do you think they will open one up for us Ginger!!

[Phoenix21]

@DoubleDolphin can you direct me to those exact comments please?

I mentioned that white folk who may have mixed children/families may also wish to use the board. I didn’t see any disagreement and I’ve certainly not seen that only black people can post.

Mumsnet is an open forum with special interest subtopics after all.

[LastResorts]

Congratulations to everyone who will benefit from this board