MNHQ - would you mind if we made a Mumsnet banner for MN feminists to march behind?

[sethstarkaddersmackerel]

There were oodles of MNers at the Million Women Rise march in London on Saturday - probably at least 40 including children.

I think a contingent this size really needs its own banner, of the big, cloth variety carried by 2 people.

Now, if we do this we would be happy to discuss design with you so we don't inadvertently do anything to weaken the MN brand.

The text would be open to discussion too, just 'Mumsnet' or 'Mumsnet Feminists' for instance. I've started a thread in Feminism to see what everyone else thinks but would obviously not actually do it without go-ahead from MNHQ.

Does MNHQ have a view on this?

thanks

Go seth and the MN feminists! Yay! Wish I could be there

Nobody has said otherwise TSH.

Of course all instances of rape matter, what an asinine thing to say, that's a bit like saying breathing is a good idea.

We will not deny that most rapes are perpetrated by men against women and that therefore, the reasons and societal conditions and attitudes which enable that, need to be urgently examined and changed. You carry on denying it if you want to.

Personally i'd find that fine, since most victims (and perpetrators) of gun crime are male. But I would think it was missing the point because sexual violence is sexuallly based. It's not a coincidence that rape is used as a weapon; it's not like the perp thinks "oh, i would like to do harm to this person irrespective of their gender, now what weapon do I have handy?... Oh, hey, here's a penis! That'll do!". It's deliberate, and it cannot be divorced from the issue of sexual oppression.

Get that there banner out! I wish I could be there....who on earth could object!?

the Samaritans have recently had a campaign on men's mental health, because there are particular reasons why so many don't get the help they need. This seems perfectly sensible to me.

I think it might also help (for any lurkers, not for TSH as she's probably not going to take any of this on board) to describe the feelings with which feminists campaign against male violence.

It is, if I may speak for others, not 'rah rah rah we hate men, nasty hairy violent creatures'; rather, it is 'men are not born violent but they are often socialised towards violence, which is harmful to all of us, and this must be acknowledged and dealt with.'

how far is this 'lets include all people and all issues' malarky meant to go?

Why not start an organisation whose aim is to make the world a perfect place for everyone? It would be fantastic...but where would you start, TSH? I'm genuinely intrigued to know what you would do with such an organisation?

My point is, feminists aren't only interested in redressing the huge inequalities between men and women. They are also interested in all sorts of other things - illegal wars; environmental issues; human rights issues.

But bringing the situation for women to a level where it is equal with the more priveleged group in society will make a big dent in the plan to make the world perfect. At the moment, the most priveleged group in society is white, middle class, able-bodied, heterosexual men. If we had campaigns (as we do) to help black people; homosexuals; working class people; disabled people; women be able to live lives that are as priveleged as white, able-bodied, middle class, heterosexual men's are now then gradually, bit by bit, things will (and are/do) start to change.

But you can't do it in one whole chunk - the only way to do it is to raise awareness about each little issue, and teach people what they can do to help change things. Some feminists do nothing actively for feminism, but campaign strongly for some other cause. No one is disagreeing with you in saying that all these issues are important...but what, I think, the feminists are saying is this is the issue these particular people are focussing on right this moment in time. What is your problem with that?

Personally I object to being represented without my knowledge or informed consent. Using the MN banner implies that all of MN are involved and/or support the issue being marched about. Clearly this may not always be the case (and saying "oh but who can object to..." is a bit too over simplified and patronising really).

Having said that I see MN as a support and social site for parents and actually do not like all this political/commercial stuff that has been happening recently and I suppose this would just be an extension of those changes.

Anyway, you asked us to voice our objections and I have... feel free to carry on anyway

But do you still object if the banner says 'Mumsnet Feminists' LowReg?

Nope, to be fair I wouldn't as that makes it clear that it is only a section of MN as opposed to the whole shooting match!