To think MN has a race problem and it’s getting worse

[MovingOutofZone2]

Posters say incredibly offensive, often outright racist things and MN lets them stand as it’s a ‘difference of opinion’ and that’s fine. Other posters complain about this and MN deletes said complaints as they are ‘personal attacks’ and that isn’t fine.

Then we have mods wandering in and going ‘let’s have peace and love’, as though ‘both sides’ need to calm down. No, we need to stop placating racists.

I’m not going to give examples as this will get taken down as a TAAT, but I cannot be the only person to be fed up with all this. MN needs to do something about the racism, race baiting and general cultural ignorance. Unless the site is ONLY meant to cater to white people and, even then, I firmly believe that most posters of any race don’t want to see all that ugliness.

It’s getting to the stage where, as a Black person, I’m steeling myself before I log on. And knowing that half the time I report a comment, I won’t even get a token acknowledgement. This isn’t right. It wasn’t always like this.

Freedom of speech isn't legally protected in the UK. In countries where it is, it only relates to the government's power to suppress opposition. If MN doesn't want to provide a platform for ignorant racist views, it doesn't have to.

Agree. It would be useful to know what moderators consider as racism. A number of people with warped ideals use the term racist” as a way to close an argument and vilify the person whom they are segueing with.
I have heard that it is what a liberal says to a conservative when they are losing an argument…..

@Trainbear it tends to be what people say to racists.

I have the right to object to racism, yes. And if their conduct is appropriate, there should be no issue with it being ‘exposed publicly’, should there?

So, you think my objections are ‘disgusting’, ‘harassment’ and ‘bullying’; but your objections to my thread are…fine? Strong logic.

Again, free speech does not just apply to words you like.

And what opinion is that - that racism is unacceptable?

Can you give some examples of language that is ‘intimidating MN staff’? Given you’ve had multiple posts on this thread, MN mods clearly don’t agree with you.

And how on earth do you harangue a mob? It’s the racist mob haranguing minorities.

You don’t own Mumsnet. If you want a racist platform go make your own sub-reddit.

*Multiple posts deleted

MN are being advised by people who deal with racism directed at them and have a better understanding of how racism plays that they should be more aware and apply this to the site

how on earth is that bullying

or are we to applaud them for not allowing direct hate speech 🙄

@unsureatthispoint

Yes, it was frustrating, but I would never dream of opening a thread in order to harangue the mob, intimidate MN staff and try to reclaim the platform as if it were my own and others' opinions didn't matter. It's outrageous and painful to see actually.

Can you please share an example of someone trying to 'intimidate MN staff' or 'reclaim the platform as it it were their own' please? Then we can all take a look and see what we think.

Cheers.

@GrinAndVomit I implied nothing. I referred specifically to a point I made on another thread. On said thread I said ear piercing wasn't abusive. Nothing more, nothing less

@GrinAndVomit I said the person calling it abusive was wrong and culturally insensitive. My post was then removed because it offended the other person.

So, if you think someone is doing something abusive, but it is a cultural norm for them, would you do or say anything?

The problem here is you are saying it is more important to consider cultural sensitivity above behaviour that you consider abuse. It’s dangerous.

Legislation exists to make the distinction. For instance, FGM, forced marriage and child labour are not acceptable, either culturally or legally.

@Hobbi @GrinAndVomit I referred to a specific thing - a comment I made re ear piercing and the fact mn deleted it.

Your insisting on conflating and obfuscating my point is unhelpful and another means of silencing my initial point- mn succumbed to pressure from someone who was offended that I called them wrong and culturally insensitive.

If either of you believe I was wrong for calling them insensitive say so. Don't, derail or conflate by giving irrelevant comparisons.

One, there are men on mums net
Two, having a forum just for black women to my mind is racist! We wouldn't be allowed to have one just for white women and no I'm not racist. I chose to send my son to a school where he was the only white child in a multicultural class when he was 6yrs old. The nickname they called him in hindsight was racist but didn't enter my head to challenge it whereas if it was a single black child in a class no doubt it would have been called out.

@Mossstitch I’m going to preface this by saying that any bullying or cruel nicknames your son experienced should have been dealt with by the school, and he shouldn’t have had to go through that.

But “no doubt it would have been called out” if it were a black child… How on earth would you, as the parent of a white child, know this? I’m the parent of a mixed race child who was in a white class, and he was called the n word, the p word and when he told the teachers was told to “ignore them” or that he was making it up as “year 3s don’t know those words.” The kids racially bullying him were never punished. My son was just put in isolation if he pushed or shouted at them. Until I found out and got involved, and made it clear that we wouldn’t stand for it.

As for the comments about Black mumsnetters having their own board - just absolutely ridiculous. Hopefully you’re equally incensed about Gransnet, Dadsnet, the Irish board, the SEN board, the chronic illness board etc etc or else that would be massively hypocritical wouldn’t it?

As for the comments about Black mumsnetters having their own board - just absolutely ridiculous. Hopefully you’re equally incensed about Gransnet, Dadsnet, the Irish board, the SEN board, the chronic illness board etc etc or else that would be massively hypocritical wouldn’t it?

Well said.

Funny how it's only the black MNetters board that some people seem to see as needless and / or wrong, isn't it?

Wow, you’re a proper renegade. I’m sure the school were gratified by you deigning to send your son there. Have a🏅

Isn’t it just @monsteramunch It literally takes nothing away from white people or their ‘enjoyment’ of mumsnet but some types just can’t let it go.

Stating that sex is immutable, ie, stating facts entirely supported by is not transphobic. Nor does it equate to hating people.

It also does not eqate to being a racist.
Although such a seeping generalization does make your bigot.

True. I saw comments about MN being racist on Facebook yesterday. Not seen that before. Although I am surprised its taken that long because the racism on here is off the scale disgusting. Hatred of Black Women is real, to the point Black Mumsnet section had to be created due to a Black poster being hounded and doxed. & yes, racist comments on threads left to stand.

The really blatant ones do tend to be deleted, but then another racist will come along to say the same thing in a different way and the comment remains.

Lately Im rolling eyes at The Racism Race To The Bottom 'We experience racism it's not just Black people!'. Yet strangely enough they only complain about this when an incident involving a Black Woman is highlighted.

It's not going to drive me off MN though, the same as in real life ignorant, uncultured petty racists aren't going to make me leave this country. I will leave when Im good and ready.

I often wonder whether the people who say good morning to you or work with you, then come on MN to spew racist bile. The sly cowardly hypocrisy of that wouldn't surprise me one bit

I’m glad black women have their own space here. I hope it goes so way to making them feel included and safe. It takes absolutely nothing away from me for them to have that.
There is no white mumsnet because white people don’t need that safe space. What do you want to talk about on white mumsnet? What issues do white people have?
Yes there are men on mumsnet, it is a public forum after all, but it is generally respected that this is a place for women.
Giggle is a female only forum Though and has verification software to maintain that. As women are oppressed, as are black people in our society, I think it’s great that females are getting their own space the same way I think it’s great that black mumsnet boards exist.

@mnchat

I haven’t compared it to anything. I’m asking why you think anyone should consider cultural sensitivity if they believe someone is being abused. You stated that that poster should not have condemned ear piercing small girls because it was culturally insensitive. That was the only reason you gave. I am interested in how far you think this logic should be followed. At what point do you believe abuse trumps cultural sensitivity if it is not when purposely inflicting unnecessary pain on a small child?

@GrinAndVomit once again you wilfully choose to misrepresent my sentiments. My complaint was with mn for deleting my post where I called someone insensitive but not with the person for being insensitive - hopefully you now understand and can move on because frankly I am.

No. I’m sorry. You’re going to have to be even clearer. At what point are we allowed to discuss perceived abuse when it is considered a cultural norm for some? At what point are we allowed to be insensitive without you “calling someone out”?