Black Mumsnetters - a new section

[MichaelMumsnet]

Hi all and welcome to the new board.

From recent discussions on the boards we realise that, as with parents of children with special needs, or parents who are LGBT - there will be sensitivities and common experiences that Black MNers will find easier to talk about in a dedicated space.

The board exists primarily for the use of black Mumsnetters. While others are of course welcome to use it, please be respectful and mindful that this is a 'safe space' for those posters. While some may be happy to answer questions on race, others may not and it's not their responsibility to educate on these issues.

Please feel free to contribute, and to invite any others who might find the board useful - and please do let us know about any ideas, suggestions or concerns that you may have.

All the best,
MNHQ

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[updated 7/12/20]

@BIWI

To be fair though, there are posters who only ever post in AIBU, for example.

I imagine there are.

However, many more use the 'active' or 'trending' thread titles and post on those which pique their interest.

I just wondered if the posters on here had changed their habits to post solely on BM or if they (still) visited other section of MN?

If that is the case, then the poster suggesting that a separate section could be counter productive in some ways may have a point.

If that is the case, then the poster suggesting that a separate section could be counter productive in some ways may have a point.

Counterproductive?
To the 'masses'?

Clearly not to the demographic for which this section was set up. Perhaps I'm being thick, but I'm not getting it.

I have found it really useful in this section. Topics have been brought up that I've pondered, but not had the guts to talk about/bring up (on the main board). And I haven't felt gaslighted but that's because people have had similar lived experiences.

You only need look at the threads posted so far in this section to see that they largely relate to the lived experiences of black MNetters as intended.

But I hardly think that black MNetters don’t post elsewhere - we live in a larger world after all and I will post in the cats, education, books etc sections as I need.

I’ve posted much more since this section has been started. Still visit other parts of MN, but very pleased that this space exists. It feels really productive and positive.

That is great then. I just thought it was a valid point and something to think about.

Just found this section! So glad

@Venicelover your posts on a few threads in this section are basically you taking issue with everything.

What's your agenda?

That is great then. I just thought it was a valid point and something to think about.

A valid point? In relation to what, exactly?

Why is it something that you think I should think about?

[quote JayDot500]@Venicelover your posts on a few threads in this section are basically you taking issue with everything.

What's your agenda?[/quote]
I am not sure what you mean. I have disagreed with some posts and agreed with others, and I have entered into polite debate which is the funtion of this site. You are misrepresenting me. In any event, I am entitled to an opinion as much as you are and will post as I see fit, regardless of whether you feel that means I have an agenda. Which, for the avoidance of doubt, I do not.

@Ablackrussian

It was something that occurred to me, if it doesn't affect you, or you don't understand my point, scroll on

Venicelover - I've noted you've posted on other threads here so obviously take an interest in this board. So I am surprised that upthread you suggested that perhaps the board is counter productive. I agree with Ablackrussian when she questions to whom it may be counterproductive especially when its existence was so hard fought for

You can understand the frustration some of us would feel that the validation of the board is still being called into question. Seriously?

On top of this, telling Ablackrussian to piss off, politely of course, in response to her reasonable questions, does make me wonder, like JayDot, why you are on this board.

I was simply making a point, which if you read the post you will understand, if you disagree, so be it. It was, and is, a valid point in my opinion.

As for telling @Ablackrussian to scroll on, and implying I was saying piss off, really? Is there inverted 'tone policing' going on here?. Had I meant piss off, I would have said it.

As for you questioning my motives for being on this section, question away. Or are you really saying that having a common characteristic means people can have no independent thought or difference of opinion?

Maybe that is the underlying essence of what this board is about?

The comments about the Minister who said teaching White Privilege was illegal seem to be rooted in the fact that she said that despite being black. Shock, Horror, she has a difference of opinion to the party line on here.

I agreed with her, but that is seemingly not allowed, or you have an agenda. Way to go!

@Venicelover

You entered a thread about a magazine for little black girls to take issue with the name. Can we enjoy the novelty of the magazine first before we start taking issue with the name?

You entered a debate about white privilege to share your thoughts and support the views that the term is lazy and divisive. Then you took issue with the perceived argumentative tone of a poster and made it all about the how her tone wasn't polite this wasn't helping her case. What she actually said was dismissed because of it.

Here, you were questioning the validity of having a safe space for black women to discuss content that matters to us, where we are not the minority voice on the thread.

This area is small and new enough to spy a correlation. You keep saying maybe you're also a person of colour, well there are many poc who do not serve the interests of the wider community due to their own interests and experiences. Priti Patel is not a myth. The minister you keep referring to is, imo, that way inclined also, but I don't expect anything better from an equalities minister representing the Tory party. You keep doing your thing, this is not my father's forum and a different perspective is not unwelcome, despite what you may believe and have no problem saying.

I think you will understand that while people are enjoying this new board and what if offers they would rather not revert to tediously defending its existence. It's that simple really.

"it" offers

[quote JayDot500]@Venicelover

You entered a thread about a magazine for little black girls to take issue with the name. Can we enjoy the novelty of the magazine first before we start taking issue with the name?

You entered a debate about white privilege to share your thoughts and support the views that the term is lazy and divisive. Then you took issue with the perceived argumentative tone of a poster and made it all about the how her tone wasn't polite this wasn't helping her case. What she actually said was dismissed because of it.

Here, you were questioning the validity of having a safe space for black women to discuss content that matters to us, where we are not the minority voice on the thread.

This area is small and new enough to spy a correlation. You keep saying maybe you're also a person of colour, well there are many poc who do not serve the interests of the wider community due to their own interests and experiences. Priti Patel is not a myth. The minister you keep referring to is, imo, that way inclined also, but I don't expect anything better from an equalities minister representing the Tory party. You keep doing your thing, this is not my father's forum and a different perspective is not unwelcome, despite what you may believe and have no problem saying.[/quote]
Another person has also taken issue with the name for the same reasons I did. Have you picked them up on that too?

I stand by all my comments on the White Privilege thread, as did another poster who has been chased away, but then, she was white, or so she said. She was well and truly rounded on though by several posters.

If you re read my post on here I wasn't questioning the validity of this space, I was saying that if it panned out to be the only place POC posted on MN that was a concern...for me. I don't think that is unreasonable.

I have never disclosed my ethnicity on here, but I surely know a thinly veiled insult when I see one:

many poc who do not serve the interests of the wider community due to their own interests and experiences

My days, attacking people for having a POV/life experiences which are different from yours is not the way forward. I bet the message machine has been hot, analysing my posts and bitching about me...go for it. I can take it.

a different perspective is not unwelcome, despite what you may believe and have no problem saying

Well, you have a funny way of showing it!

And, you are correct, I don't have a problem giving my view, and it is most often done in a polite and articulate way, until pushed, that is how I was raised and I won't apologise for that, it has got me to where I am today.

This will be my last word in defence of my right to post as I see fit on here, I will just report posts that I consider to be piling on or taking me to task for a view that is not the party line.

Okay

Isn't walling off posts from or about people of colour going to be divisive in the end?

Eh?

I didn't have to climb over barbed wire fences to post here, and haven't been chased off by snipers yet lol

I think if there can be a separate board (Feminism) for women on a site that's largely for women and about women, then a separate board for black people/women is more than reasonable.

It's hypocritical to think otherwise. Both boards serve a specific category with some specific issues that might clog the whole site if not separate. It's understandable to give it it's own space for those who are interested in it. Doesn't mean the rest of MN is out of bounds to posters.

That said, I also agree that this board is more for some people who have similar perspectives on issues. Others with a different pov will probably be ignored or accused of hating the black community. You know, like you get on the feminism board too with women.

It's just life. People generally choose others who're likeminded.

@Raceless I very much agree, however, it was a fair comment to make and was made by several posters.

With regard to your statement about different points of view, that did very much happen. I hope we are over that now though as those posts were reported and removed. All points of view should be considered valid and going forward be able to be expressed (and discussed in a polite fashion) without either being ignored or vilified.

All points of view should be considered valid and going forward be able to be expressed (and discussed in a polite fashion) without either being ignored or vilified.

I doubt it - it's really the very nature of all safe spaces everywhere to host similar opinions only or more favourably. Can't blame them.

So differing ones may go to aibu to start a thread 😄

There, debates may be had and all opinions welcome

I disagree, if this is a section for BM then surely, it is also a place for discussion and debate?

it isn't about AIBU, but that other opinions exist which are reasonable

Or are you implying that all people of colour are one group with the same opinion on everything?

It's a place for people to discuss matters important to them, things that affect them.
Whether it be food, when to have the talk etc, where is it our place to debate?
Debate what?!