A Safe Space to discuss the disablist issue

[RainbowZebraWarrior]

Recognised a couple of names on the thread in Site Stuff about the issue of MN being lax in deleting Disablist posts / threads.

What concerned me more, however was the fact that I didn't see a lot of my Neurodiverse MN allies on there. That is very telling.

I know we escape here. And I'm so grateful that this board was created for us. But should I feel grateful just to be included and not dismissed?

There were a few posts deleted on the thread and a couple of names will stay in my mind. (Though some will likely name change)

It is so sad that people feel the need to dismiss our lived experiences.

I also want to add that I've discussed the ever changing language regarding Neurodiverse people. I totally understand why any of us would prefer to be known as ASD / Asperger's etc. I was late in my Autism diagnosis (51) but I'm trying to keep up with the current language as my DD(10) is currently mid diagnosis.

We all hold our original diagnosis dear. And for good reason.

Sending solidarity to all as we continue to navigate our lives daily with the obstacles that come our way.

Recognised a couple of names on the thread in Site Stuff about the issue of MN being lax in deleting Disablist posts / threads.

@RainbowZebraWarrior Would you be able to link the thread please?

In solidarity 🌻

Here you go @Clarice99

www.mumsnet.com/talk/site_stuff/4660676-disability-bashing-threads?reply=120975194

🌻

Thanks so much for the link @RainbowZebraWarrior

I see it's quite a long thread, so I'm going to make myself a cuppa and read it all.

I've contacted MNHQ countless times via email about this very issue and posted on various threads, so the linked thread is really interesting to me. Thanks again.

Some of the posts on there are so depressing 😡

I know, Clarice. So bloody much so.

I think that's why I felt I needed to post a safe space here. Even though it's been discussed over and over on these threads - and indeed why we got our own board in the end.

Two of the people on that thread were Previously Banned Posters and have now had all posts deleted (and I'm assuming are banned again) so we are getting somewhat at least.

*Somwhere at least

I have just seen that thread and will take a look when I have time to go through the posts.

I already know it's going to be depressing though.

It's sad that it has to come to this though. Surely MNHQ should be more on the ball and not allow a thread to get to 6, 7, 8 pages etc before it's identified that there are previously banned members posting goady, offensive shite?

In my view, and experience, disability has always been seen as the lowest priority in the EA protected characteristics. This low status is reflected on MN too. It's very demoralising.

Yeah, absolute same old, same old.

We keep making the point. (e.g. why is it ok to say The Disabled, when we wouldn't say The Blacks) and still it happens. It's beyond depressing.

And it took MN 24 hours to recognise the PBP's who were spilling bile. Another poster commented that it was Sunday so give them a chance.

I often wonder if the posters spilling bile so so deliberately at the weekend as they know they will get a certain amount of free reign. It's a huge, worldwide site. It deserves full time moderation.

I thanked MN for deleting the posts I reported. But something surely could be done to stop those with IP addresses from even making new accounts.

Since we got this board, I've noticed that there's not many who venture here to question us. I'm guessing the same is true in the Black and Asian MNetters boards. I bloody hope so.

AIBU attracts those who 'Call a spade a spade' aka cunts and keyboard warriors. But that post I referred to was in Site Stuff. It still attracted the haters.

More needs to be done. But then, we know that.

Very sad that we can always second guess the sort of responses. Many have been deleted, but it's fucking depressing that those opinions even exist in 2022.

Since we got this board, I've noticed that there's not many who venture here to question us.

It was horrendous here for quite some time. Members left as we were being attacked regularly.

I sent countless emails to MNHQ, as did lots of other members, to beg that posts from this board did not show up on active. This was finally agreed, but not before members had left, sadly never to be seen again, due to MNHQ dragging their heels, leaving us open to attack, abuse and question.

The 'give them a chance, it's Sunday' comment was utterly pathetic. Who cares what day it is? The site is up and running 24/7, 365 days per year and should be moderated fully by staff who have a thorough grasp of the EA and also how to prevent PBM's from returning or at the very least, taking swift action when they do slip the net.

You're right @RainbowZebraWarrior it's extremely depressing that these stinking, rancid attitudes still exist. And worse still, they are given a platform to spout hatred 😡

I just want to say hello. I'm the op of the thread in site stuff.

Hello @deliverooyoutoo and thank you for starting your thread. It certainly has got people talking! Sending much love and solidarity 🌻

Hello @deliverooyoutoo

Thank you for starting the thread on site stuff. I'm sorry I didn't/don't have the capacity to post on the thread. I sincerely hope it prompts MNHQ into action.

In solidarity 🌻

Thank you everyone.

There was another thread overnight that has now been deleted.

It's so draining.

They've ended up hiding my thread in site stuff. I got really upset by some posts.

I'm sorry.

You don't need to apologise at all, you did a good thing highlighting the problems! It's the people who act like twats that need to apologise.

If I hadn't started the thread it wouldn't have happened. And I feel so guilty. I just proved the point which was a total waste of time.

And I got upset and said too much about myself and they called me a liar. Which I'm not.

I'm honestly so sorry. I screwed up and I'm sorry.

You did not screw up.
If you hadn't of posted that thread, they'd of been offensive on another thread anyway.
You did a good thing highlighting to mnhq and people about the issues and problems.
You have nothi g to feel bad or guilty or apologise over!

Hi @deliverooyoutoo

Please ditch the guilt. You haven't done anything wrong, and you certainly don't need to apologise.

The people who called you a liar are not worth your headspace. Fuck 'em.

🌻🌻🌻

Please please don't be sorry.

It ended up having the effect of me over sharing too and then I got bombarded with accusational questions. Thankfully MN did their job and deleted them straight away.

I'm in a bit of a hypervigilance type state today though.

Point well and truly bloody proved that people just don't know when to stop. Makes me shudder.

Again, please don't feel bad. You did a massively brave thing in highlighting the problem. And my God is it a fucking problem.

Please post here or even PM me if you need to chat. We will always have your back here.

Thank you all xxx

You didn't screw up, OP. When I realised the thread had been deleted it finally pushed me to do something I had been making excuses to myself not to do: email MN about the Equality Act and remind them of their duty to uphold it.

I don't expect much of a ripple caused by one little old email, but it just upset me so much to see something descend into something so cruel that it had to be shut down. Protecting the more vulnerable members of society is a duty we should all be complicit in, and it's not happening here.