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]

Nope. I'm saying the opposite and that has always been my stance (I have a thread on aibu to prove it).

What I meant is the fight to have this board was borne out of the need for a space to host 'the black perspective' (a particular one). So it feels a bit 'trolly' (I'd feel that way personally) to always come with a different one, which was happening elsewhere before the board was needed.

I mean look at how your posts have been taken, though I don't know the history. Was away from MN for about 3 months and came back to this new board.

To be clear, I'm not saying what should be. I'm saying what I think will happen mostly on this board like other safe space boards which is understandable. Whether I'm proved wrong or right really doesn't matter.

@Venicelover

@Raceless

Is there only one black perspective though? I didn't realise that, or that that was what this section was set up to air or promote. I must have missed that memo!!

Naively, (it would appear) I thought it was primarily for (but not restricted to) people of colour to discuss issues which they were interested in, or which only they might understand the issues arising from.

Clearly, not everyone has the same life experiences even if they are the same skin colour. Therefore, by definition, there will be different perspectives represented.

Surely, all specific boards are like this? Within any cohort there are differing opinions. Not every LGBT/disabled/etc,etc, person thinks the same, so why would every person of colour?

Baffled! And clearer now why my posts have received the reaction they have!!

Thanks.

Is there only one black perspective though?

No and there shouldn't be because...

Clearly, not everyone has the same life experiences even if they are the same skin colour. Therefore, by definition, there will be different perspectives represented.

Surely, all specific boards are like this? Within any cohort there are differing opinions. Not every LGBT/disabled/etc,etc, person thinks the same, so why would every person of colour?

I agree but I suppose other perspectives don't need the safe space. That's why i said they can still use other boards to debate.

Naively, (it would appear) I thought it was primarily for (but not restricted to) people of colour to discuss issues which they were interested in, or which only they might understand the issues arising from.

I believe this is part of what the space is about but I could be wrong as I'm now reading one or two posts where some pp mentioned some people are banned (Not sure how true it is). As I said, I've been away.

So it feels a bit 'trolly' (I'd feel that way personally) to always come with a different one, which was happening elsewhere before the board was needed.

I agree.

It is worrisome that someone who was repeatedly against this section being provided for BLACK voices and has such anti-black views(e.g. advocating for stop and search specifically because it targets black men) is always lurking in this section playing devils' advocate.

This section is for BLACK voices and experiences. It was deliberately stated it was not a BAME section so you are wrong on that front Venicelover.

You also deliberately insinuate you are a person of colour/black to defend your anti-black views hiding behind "well you don't know what I am" and then calling people racist or bigoted for making an assumption.

Anyone of any race is welcome but it is primarily for black voices and perspectives. And I would argue it does matter what your race is in this section because people like you come to gaslight black people on their experiences and voices .

If you are indeed a person of colour you are exactly the reason why an black space was advocated for and not an all inclusive BAME one because you constantly use your voice as a minority to silence black voices.

It and you go against the spirit of this section and it emboldens others to come and troll black people in their safe space and effectively silences the black voices the space is meant to serve.

What I don't get is why there's virtue signalling white people posting on here to gush how anti - racist they are anf how terribly excited they are and how oh so unracist they are. If this is a safe space for black women (and men) let them have it and stop dominating it is say however nice your sentiments

Why is some white people supporting some black people virtue signalling? People support what/who they want to support and it's okay to say so.

I don't think I've dominated the section?
I think I've only posted on this thread (to say yay, congrats ) as I know what a struggle it was to get set up and also to wonder how someone (if I'm remembering correctly) was so vocal in thinking it shouldn't be and now saying "why can't we discuss"
(Only other thread I posted on was once to say yum at a picture of dish somebody posted )
It's not a debating board? It's a place for people to discuss their lived experiences.
Which I haven't been trying to discuss, or to debate as it's not our place to do so.
I've said before I lurk but that's just to get others experiences away from my own.

I dont think you have dominated the section @Quaagars I find your posts strike the perfect balance and are supportive, constructive and insightful. Unlike others you supported the creation of the space as well from the get go.

I also don't agree with the assertion that non-black posters have engaged in "virtue-signalling"

Hmm. I've posted 8 times on this thread, and always in support of posters as well as celebrating the fact that this place exists.

Does this make me a virtue signaller?

Am I gushing?

FFS. I thought it was being supportive.

@Savourysenorita

What I don't get is why there's virtue signalling white people posting on here to gush how anti - racist they are anf how terribly excited they are and how oh so unracist they are. If this is a safe space for black women (and men) let them have it and stop dominating it is say however nice your sentiments

How is it virtue signalling to offer support? Virtue signalling suggests insincerity, how can you ascertain that is the case?

@lovelymarie

So it feels a bit 'trolly' (I'd feel that way personally) to always come with a different one, which was happening elsewhere before the board was needed.

I agree.

It is worrisome that someone who was repeatedly against this section being provided for BLACK voices and has such anti-black views(e.g. advocating for stop and search specifically because it targets black men) is always lurking in this section playing devils' advocate.

This section is for BLACK voices and experiences. It was deliberately stated it was not a BAME section so you are wrong on that front Venicelover.

You also deliberately insinuate you are a person of colour/black to defend your anti-black views hiding behind "well you don't know what I am" and then calling people racist or bigoted for making an assumption.

Anyone of any race is welcome but it is primarily for black voices and perspectives. And I would argue it does matter what your race is in this section because people like you come to gaslight black people on their experiences and voices .

If you are indeed a person of colour you are exactly the reason why an black space was advocated for and not an all inclusive BAME one because you constantly use your voice as a minority to silence black voices.

It and you go against the spirit of this section and it emboldens others to come and troll black people in their safe space and effectively silences the black voices the space is meant to serve.

That is a direct attack on my integrity. I stand by all my comments on this and every other thread. You may not agree with them, that is your prerogative, as it is mine to post as I see fit, and where I see fit without being bullied and/or denigrated for my opinions.

I think you need to look closer to home for a target for those accusations which you have levelled at me.

I think it's pretty spot on actually

Because its meant to be a place for black women and men to discuss issues relating to them and so far all I can see is white people posting feeling the need to explain they're white and continue to dominate the board by discussing how not racist they are. Its like when lots of straight people turn up to gay pride - by many attendees it is deemed offensive because once again the 'majority' ate turning up and infiltrating their space. Its not done with bad intention of course but defeats the purpose of the board.

Savourysenorita - I’m afraid that’s not been my experience on this board but perhaps I’ve missed a number of the threads/posts that support your point.

@Dastardlythefriendlymutt

I think it's pretty spot on actually

Which is your prerogative. We will have to agree to disagree then.

all I can see is white people posting feeling the need to explain they're white and continue to dominate the board by discussing how not racist they are

Never once done that on this board, and haven't discussed how "not racist" I am either.
I've literally posted on this thread to say congrats (bit more now before a poster started shit stirring - which is a bit confusing as their stance seems to flip flop all over the place, so it does seem a bit "trolly" behaviour as someone upthread put it.)
Not sure what the motive for doing that would be, I'm sure I'm right in that the name was vocal in not wanting the board set up - apologies if not but think it was. Which is a bit that now wants to discuss/debate experiences of others

@Savourysenorita

What I don't get is why there's virtue signalling white people posting on here to gush how anti - racist they are anf how terribly excited they are and how oh so unracist they are. If this is a safe space for black women (and men) let them have it and stop dominating it is say however nice your sentiments

I have seen no post such as you describe. Posters like BIWI and Quaagars, have been very supportive from the start.

@Savourysenorita

Would you rather than white (or non-black) MNetters didn't post at all on this board?

that, not than!

I absolutely would not want that to be the case, but my opinion isn't that popular so ....however, no one else has bothered to answer you, which I find appalling.

I think it's very interesting that I haven't had an answer from that poster - but also, AS shows that those are the only posts they've bothered to make in the Black Mumsnetter section, so I suspect there's another agenda going on there.

@BIWI

I think it's very interesting that I haven't had an answer from that poster - but also, AS shows that those are the only posts they've bothered to make in the Black Mumsnetter section, so I suspect there's another agenda going on there.

Yes, you could well be right I suppose. Are they posting in other areas? I am not au fait with the search process on MN.

@Savourysenorita
Hullo there!
I'm a black grey locs lady of certain vintage and am still new to Blackmumnetters but I agree with what you'd written about virtue signalling by others. It seems they're annoyed and angry we have this safe to voice space and that it should really be ideally nothing to do with them........
Some cannot help but meddle can they?