Non-racist chat forums

[PinotGrogio]

Not sure if this will appear in Active but really I just want to hear the experiences and opinions of Black (and even Asian) MNetters here.

Given the descent into racism of this site, are there any other non-racist ones you’d recommend? I’ve had a look at Tattle and quite frankly that’s worse so it’s a no from me. Plus they’re kind of obsessed with “influencers”, in whom I have no interest.

It’s just a shame that the racism has seeped into all boards here - even TV and S&B is no longer safe. Anywhere else that isn’t a total cesspit?

@BeckyAMumsnet I also think it would be better for no threads to turn up in Active.

The fact that they do attracts inevitable racist posts. There’s no point keeping it in active to attract posters who are going to be put off immediately. Similarly, because threads show up in active this section isn’t used much and is much less helpful to new posters than it could be.

I’ve noticed when threads are posted on the main board which could benefit from being on BMN, the OP is directed here. Threads don’t need to show up in active for new posters to find the board.

I’ve also noticed that when I’ve asked for something to be removed from active, MNHQ does remove it. If that’s the approach that is already taken then it doesn’t really make sense for threads to show up in active in the first place. I previously created a thread with a placeholder title, I knew would attract no one before asking you to change the thread title and remove it from active. It’s just creating more work for MNHQ and posters.

Taking it off Active would be good. If its possible for Jewish MN then it should be done for all races. Saying that I mainly use Active....

Exactly this.

I think that what Becky said is really interesting and I’ve been chewing on it for a bit.

“The Jewish MNers board was in Active but due to the current conflict, it was attracting a very large number of trolls. We removed it from Active as a temporary measure and we intend to put it back soon.”

I re-read it and it struck me. The current conflict inevitably will be a lightning rod for trolls for users of the Jewish board. However this shows a fundamental misunderstanding of the level of sustained micro and macro aggressions black members of this forum go through and just how persistent and insidious it is.

I think a really good solution is actually is the temporary removal from active for a period which we could ask for - say 6 months - to allow for people to establish community and conversations and then opening it up back to the wider community.

@skullbabe I had exactly the same reading when viewing @BeckyAMumsnet‘s message. Our “conflict” is ongoing and a constant fight, not just a flare up like June 2020, etc. That’s the same for Jewish folks as well, mind you, but the point stands that it’s fundamental misunderstanding of what it means to be a constant target from mainstream White and western cultures. You’re constantly othered even though you’re a part of those cultures. @MNHQ isn’t grasping systemic and prolonged racism and how that manifests in online spaces.

Do HQ need anti-racism training or something? Racism is more than burning crosses or skinheads - it can be far more subtle and pernicious but your moderators don’t seem to understand this.

This. 💯

There are so many excellent points being made. I hope that those at @MNHQ are listening to what is being said. This is an ongoing problem here.

Mumsnet is a business and the more threads they keep off active the less traffic they attract and the less money is made. They do get it, they've just prioritised the business side. They just aren't willing to admit it so it's infuriating.

Well yes, I assume that is also why they’ve been quite happy to let the Royal Family board turn into the We Hate Meghan Markle board. Good for business so why should we care about MNetters of colour who might feel ground down or triggered by the constant aggressions, both micro and other.

The SEN boards are kept of "Active" as well but they have plenty of traffic.

If people are aware that specific boards exist either because they are told, look or are redirect there, it doesn't stop there being traffic.

@BeckyAMumsnet Also, an extremely good point. I do not think it’s fair to claim that Jewish posters are facing more trolls when MM threads are still allowed.

They always descend into the most shameful racism so in the same way, the Jewish board gets hidden because of trolls, they should be completely banned due to not only the racism, but also the rampant misogyny that is suddenly acceptable just because it’s her.

Sorry I am not black but saw this in active.

I agree with the other posts on this thread that it would be better to have the board taken out of active.

This would help create a more stable space for posters to engage with one another without having posts derailed.

Even a trial to see how the board functions.

It doesn't seem right that they can agree to move out the Jewish board but not the black one. Racism unfortunately hasn't gone away.

(I am not black but I am Jewish)

As far as I recall, the Jewish board was only set up very recently, since Oct 7. And then was very quickly put into non active. Sadly probably for good reason.

It does make it much harder to find it, i have to actively search out the board. And you have to know about it which means it is very quiet.

If users of this board all think this should be put into non active I absolutely agree, but the downside is that new Black mumsnetters won't necessarily know about it.

Then again I don't run Mumsnet.

If it's removed from 'Active', how will new black Mners know it exists? unless they trawl through all the topics but why would they even be searching for it? if people think there is not even traffic on the section now, I can guarantee you there will be even less traffic if it's hidden.

This is kind of how racism works though is it. The end result is back people not having a place to talk about their experience amongst themselves.

I would like to post more here but don't feel comfortable as I don't want to risk a pile on from white posters.

I made a thread about this a while ago and many other posters feel the same.

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/black_mumsnetters/4960480-how-comfortable-do-feel-posting-here-about-things-that-really-bother-you

MNHQ: tell us what you think

Black mumsnetters: we feel unable to post here due to racism

MNHQ

I thought the tumbleweed would be below the text 😂

Hopefully you get the jist

Myself and other posters redirect newer posters to other boards including those not in "active".

Lots of posters don't realise MN has more than "AIBU" and "chat".

Total agree about the royal board now being the 'we hate MM' board. I used to enjoy that board when it was just about frocks and gossip but the utter bile spewed about MM had me really questioning the state of the UK and what people are thinking about me that I didn't realise.

I would feel far more comfortable if these threads weren't in active as well. I approach any black threads with a mental hard hat which isn't meant to be the point surely?

I counted, and there are 34 pages of threads on the royal board and of those only about the first 4 pages predate MM joining the royal family. I mean she is by no means perfect but does she really deserve some 30 pages of threads devoted to tearing her character, looks, marriage, even her feet (wtf?) apart??

I think it shows how many of them are absolute hypocrites.

They wouldn’t put up with half the stuff MM had been through if it were them (so they say..) and are all seemingly pro-feminism yet they are ripping apart a woman they don’t know while saying rags like the Daily Mail are wrong about everything else yet not about her. I don’t understand why they continue to moan about her when she did what people like them wanted and left. I think it’s more odd, deranged, and telling about the type of person such people are to wish and hope someone’s marriage and family falls apart because they don’t like a stranger who has absolutely nothing to do with them and have little proof she is that bad of a person.

Their posts are prime proof that they did the right thing and left and I don’t blame them whatsoever. Look at posters moaning about Kate, personally, not keeping the public updated on her private information. Can only imagine if it was MM and she did keep the public update. They would very likely call her attention-seeking.

Harry, and Meghan made the right decision in getting out of this Country, as far as I am concerned. The level of hate directed at her from randoms on MN has been a sight to behold. Some of the posters must be utterly deranged, or deeply dissatisfied with their lot, and that is me being polite about them.

Too much hate can manifest as a form of sickness and that is what I see from posters on here who won't relent in their dislike of MM. It is like the above poster said, most will probably never meet her in real life let alone get to know her. It's the same with the Daily mirror and their daily postings. Every morning i check my news notifications that come up, the Mirror news is always reaching for them. You can feel their feverish excitement & delight that some ill luck has befallen Harry & Meghan , 'trump said he will boot them out', Harry is disillusioned with life', 'MM humiliated', etc etc I'm actually quite surprised they are allowed such free reign.

In all my years on Mumsnet I’ve never seen as many threads dedicated to tearing apart one person as I have the threads about MM.

Though it’s not just her of course. I’m a tennis fan but couldn’t go on the tennis thread on MN because the posters all hated Serena Williams, for some mysterious reason, can’t think what it might be…

Oh and of course Diane Abbott is another one - you can guarantee threads about her drip with vitriol too. I’ll never forget a poster describing one of our longest-serving MPs and the first black female MP as “strutting around like the secretary in the typing pool who’s slept with the boss” when Jeremy Corbyn became Labour leader.

But none of this has to do with race, of course not!

And it's all with the self satisfied veneer of golly gosh aren't we a bunch of no nonsense sensible women who know these people are wrong uns - for reasons......