MNHQ .. Can we talk about disability bashing?

[Brownsugarshortbread]

Over the years i have posted on and enjoyed MN.
Sadly there seems to be a growing culture of it being okay to have a go at disabilities, those who claim DLA and those who's children have 'invisable' disabilities such as ADHD and ADD.
The terms 'freak' and 'scrounger' have been batted around and comments from some posters IMO certainly boarder on harrassment and discrimination.

When certain posts or posters have been reported, some have been removed, yet a lot haven't.

And while I agree with free speech, these types of comment or reaction to these comments, are not an education for those bigoted posters. Nor do those whose lives are touched by disability wish to be used to educate those posters.

Disability Harassment

is unwanted behaviour based on disability,
impairment or additional need. Such behaviour may include comments that are patronising or objectionable to the recipient or which creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive environment for people with disabilities. Disability harassment includes inappropriate reference to disability, unwelcome discussion of the impact of disability, refusal to work with and exclusion of people with disabilities from social events or meetings.

"Free speech", "get off your high horse"

So free speech means people are free to say what they like - be as racist and homophobic as they like?

Nope?

Why is it "free speech" to make comments with regard to the disabilities some of us deal with every day. Why is that acceptable as "a different viewpoint"?

I am used to idiots saying "ADHD doesn't exist" and while I may give my own viewpoint I can write these people off as ignorant and move on with my life. In fact if that is their view point so be it - I can point out research until I am blue in the face but they won't accept it.

In effect this thread is about a comment on another thread, where a badly worded post by an MNer upset many people. In actualy fact the poster didn't intend her comments to be interpreted as they were by people but it was worded badly and appeared to be a comment about people with severe disabilities.

I tend to keep off most of the threads where I guess this stuff comes up most - the benefits and SN threads for example.

But I would say when offensive terms come up in random topics, usually by newbies who perhaps don't realise how unpleasant some of the words they remember from school actually are, then mumsnetters are pretty hot on pulling them up on their language. To the extent that the thread subject often takes a turn away from the original subject and on to disablist words, and the poster who used the word is then educated and usually apologises.

I would also support a less tolerant attitude by MNHQ towards posts which bash those with disabilities and or their parents/carers. Poster who do this repeatedly should be banned - MN is supposed to be supportive forum and those of us with children with SN should not have to spend half our time 'educating' other posters when we have a hard enough time already and are more in need of support not less.

DillyDaydreamin I don't think this about one comment(yes the person said sorry but then re posted it on another thread!) this has been going on for a long time and will continue until mn hq do something.

I have been on threads that go on for tens of pages where posters defend their 'right' to use words like retard.

There is much use of the if people dare disagree.

dilly I think this thread is more complicated than that. I think its a build up of feeling caused by thread after thread using insulting language and pushing offensive ideas about disabilty.

It seems to me that the recent cuts have been used as an excuse to vent any ill thought out and ignorant view about how people with disabilities live their lives.

If I see one more post about DLA being an out of work benefit I shall bloody scream.

Dilly I didn;t read the other thread; in fact before this happened I posted in chat (perfectly searchable) saying my adieux to MN, in part because of this.

It's not special treatment that is wanted; as someone else said, simply parity with the other fields of bigotry. I would no more wish to see a racist / homophobic / etc post stand than a disablist one and I have out in time over the eyars battling those views also.

Bigotry is abhorrent. And there's something remarkably awful about people willing to come out with comments on a website when they would not dare in RL, and if they did in RL at least I could front up to them and I would know who the person to be avoided was. Any of the nasties on MN could be my neighbour, fellow school parent, teacher. It's really quite scary.

And YY to thought police and not caring what people think as longa s they leave the boys alone and don;t try to peddle their nastiness, and to DLA being an out of work benefit.

As an aside and whilst I appreciate that it's bad form to talk about a thread on a thread IYSWIM..... I spotted this in relationships (of all places) HERE.

Why? To cause trouble is my guess, cynical old me. If you look through it, the responses pretty much say it all. The OP has only been around since April, or has had a new name since then but still, you'd like to think that she's be a bit more savvy about such topics......

MN is not a nice place to be some days.

good grief I wish I hadn't followed that link,
why would anyone think that thread titile wasn't offensive?
wtf has mn become

I haven't disapeared.. ( had to go to bed and can post now I'm on a coffee break).

The SN section IMO is good and supportive.. Yet it has got to the point for quite a few people where outside of that topic area is a tad unpleasant. You can't always know when a topic may change direction and you face various opinions which can really be quite offensive.

The free speech and thought police issue is fair enough, but I feel it's a bit of a lame arguement when used to defend some rather questionable written comments. As said already, if it were race it would be pulled.

it really isn't about thought police or free speech, I'm sure no-one minds answering genuine questions or helping others out. But it's wrong to think it's okay to hide bigoted opinions under free speech, particularly when there is actually law against it.

If everyone who reads this thread just walks away with the little glimmer of "actually that's not okay", it would actually translate into RL. And I agreewith vicar, that RL is a lot harder to face in regard to these issues.

sadly some of us can't use the sn topic, so we have ot venture outside I am just glad I can go elsewhere as tbh I think this is now getting bad, having followed that thread and seeing the views on there I am shocked.

My point being really ( sorry have a tendancy to waffle)

these post will occur, we all know that, but what I'm asking is that MNHQ looks at reported threads in regard to disablist comments etc with the same weight and gravity that racist etc or unlawful comment are regarded. Because in fact there are laws to help proctect against this.

Sorry Shoesy, I didn't mean to upset anyone. Just to point out that comments like that are all over the boards now, AIBU used to be the favourite haunt for SN/DLA bashers, SN, then chat.....

There's just no need. Imagine if I started a thread - 'my DH said I catch like a nigger' ?????? I'd be torn apart in seconds.

It's all discrimination, isn't it?

Absolutely mouseface.. And if you used that title there would be uproar, quite rightly so.

Even if you then went on to say you found your dhs comments offensive.

Here, here Annie

but it has happened so many times - look back through site stuff. over the last year there have been 3 or 4 threads saying exactly the same thing (I htink they were in site stuff!) plus probably a couple more in AIBU etc.

lots of people agree, but the inconsistency stays.

I hve just reported that thread, can't believe it is still there, hopefully it is just cos mn hq wern't aware

Thanks Shoesy - you beat me to it!!!

maybe i will have a little experiment.

start a thread with "i took one of DH's chips and he called me a theiving nigger"

let us see what response we get shall we?

HQ's unwillingness to respond responsibly to the disablist comments that are a frequent and obvious is disgraceful.
Such a lack or action would simply not be tolerated if it was homophobia/racism etc

Parents of children with additional needs have as much right to read and post freely on all the Mumsnet boards as anyone else.

I have been advised by MNHQ that they would consider deleting a comment that was personal abuse, but not one that is generally disablist.

Now, please forgive the following post, it is not my sentiments but an illustration of MNHQ policy, showing the deep flaw.

To post "all n**rs are benefits cheats" would elicit deletion of comment and stern treatment of the poster.

To post "that p**i on the corner sits on their arse all day collecting benefits" would elicit deletion of comment and stern treatment of the poster.

To post "all disabled people are benefits cheats" would just be left on the board and nothing done.

To post "that mong (sorry, cringing myself here) on the corner just sits on his arse all day collecting benefits" would be left and no action taken.

Disablism is just as disgusting and abhorrent as racism. There is even legislation in place to prevent the harrassment, prejudice and hostility we face here because our children have disabilities.

Please MNHQ get with the times and make it clear that you are complying with the Equality Act 2010 and are clear on the right of all posters here to not be attacked due to elements of their life beyond their control.

Oh, and there are at least three posters on these boards who have admitted on threads that they are trolling in a disablist way, yet they are not dealt with.

Why?

Seriously? People actually troll in a disablist way? And ADMIT IT?

FFS.

What is this place coming to?