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See all MNHQ comments on this thread

FWR split continued

999 replies

RebeccaMumsnet · 29/06/2012 17:11

We have decided to start a new thread about this as the other thread was near capacity and taking a while to load.

Here is Justine's post from earlier on

We can give a Radical Feminism topic a go if that's what people want and see if it works. Obviously we need to be crystal clear that no one is obliged to post in one particular place and no one should feel excluded from any topic but we could test it out, and see if it helps resolve tensions. We'll do that in the next few days.

There are a couple of other things to think about as well.

First, those who come onto FWR to derail and inflame. We acknowledge that we have been too slow in the past to spot these posters for what they were. We're sorry about that and hope we're a lot quicker at dealing with them now. We're all for opinions but we do draw the line at posters whose only obvious intent is to goad.

And secondly, this idea that FWR can be an unwelcoming place to those who aren't following the 'party line'. Judging by posts on recent threads and by our inbox this is a view of a significant number of Mumsnetters and obviously that's not a healthy situation. Mumsnet is a place for discussion and for diverse opinion and it's the exchange of ideas and tolerance of differing opinions that makes it the board it is.

We do hope threads like this help to clear the air a bit and remind everyone that, whatever the differences of opinion, the FWR board will only ever be the stimulating, thought-provoking, enriching place we'd all like it to be if people feel that they can express themselves without being jumped on.

Please do continue to let us know your thoughts.

OP posts:
yellowraincoat · 29/06/2012 20:02

Mintyy - I really don't know, I was actually wandering!

Maybe cos all the fighting is going on here? Or cos the air has been cleared a little?

I certainly feel happier posting there atm.

EclecticShock · 29/06/2012 20:02

"Add message | Report | Message poster Pan Fri 29-Jun-12 20:00:11
There is a plethora of new threads in FWR - most of them commenced over the weekend. Whilst focus has been on this debate, and other 'regular' posters have been otherwise engaged, that will prob. change in the near future. And it's back to square one."

Do you think more people are posting and feel welcome?

yellowraincoat · 29/06/2012 20:04

Maybe we should just have a permanent ruck thread where we can slag each other off and then the rest of the board will be all Smile

EclecticShock · 29/06/2012 20:05

If more people are posting and feel welcome, these threads have not been a wasted exercise :)

glasgowwean · 29/06/2012 20:06

I delurked to post this week. Didn't get shot down. Was pleasantly surprised but then found everyone was debating over here instead.

I think there hasn't been a dominant POV this week and that's allowed posters to express. There has also been a huge effort to welcome discussion.

But this this happened the last time it kicked off and it was constructive for a while and then fell apart again. And it can't all be down to trolls etc

EclecticShock · 29/06/2012 20:06

Ha ha, yes yellow, we can exorcise demons here away eater than detracting from feminism :). Group therapy and all that :)

AyeRobot · 29/06/2012 20:07

Ideas, not people.

Come on, now. Get posting about ideas instead of having a go at individuals or groups of individuals. Try posting when in agreement, instead of just when outraged at a comment - it will change your own experience of the board.

For people that want a board to be more welcoming (and post on multiple threads over years), some of you have a very odd way of showing what that looks like. I've been put off posting because I don't want to be on the receiving end of this kind of personally-levelled vitriol. But I don't get counted on these threads, nor do others who have voiced similar feelings.

More feminism, please, not more boards.

EclecticShock · 29/06/2012 20:07

Rather than detracting ...

yellowraincoat · 29/06/2012 20:07

or we could just organise an actual fight club.

Let's be avin yer.

glasgowwean · 29/06/2012 20:07

I think there is merit in that yellow, it seems that posters need to let off steam every once in a while. I don't know how that's done without the backbiting that happens

WicketyPitch · 29/06/2012 20:08

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ChickensHaveNoLips · 29/06/2012 20:08

AIBU is the fight club. We allllllll know it.

yellowraincoat · 29/06/2012 20:08

Glasgow - I suggested above. Fight Club.

glasgowwean · 29/06/2012 20:09

Yellow, away and boil yer heid.

That felt good

I'm ready to be friends again now

EclecticShock · 29/06/2012 20:09

Fight club is a fitting term... Shame but true.

yellowraincoat · 29/06/2012 20:10

Glasgowwean, get on, ya rocket.

JugglingWithTangentialOranges · 29/06/2012 20:12

I've become more involved in the FWR board over the last week or so, and am interested in what the radfem view and feminism in general has to offer - basically to taking on board a stronger feminist philosophy in life.
I'd just like to say how much I've appreciated the "paddling pool" thread, and the willingness of Eats and others to answer any questions posters may have.

Also to those who've advocated more PARN, politeness, and mindfulness. - And just to being open and friendly to newcomers. I think all those ideas are very helpful.

I think the presence of trolls and other trouble-makers seems to have created or heavily contributed to many of the challenges everyone else has faced on FWR (from my slightly limited experience here) - I think this needs to be recognised by MNHQ in deciding where we go from here ( And very glad to see that you have said just that )

On balance I'd suggest leaving FWR as it was but with more encouragement for PARN and mindfulness, and stronger moderation (chucking those trolls off the bridge !) And build on the "Paddling pool" thread for those wishing to explore feminism, with Q&A's answered by friendly radfems and others - because they do exist !
And room for the LibFems etc. to express their own outlook at the same time.

missmaviscruet · 29/06/2012 20:12

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

EclecticShock · 29/06/2012 20:13

I personally think its been a massive step forward to acknowledge the status quo, although I'm aware some of you may have seen this scenario played out before.

Hullygully · 29/06/2012 20:14

There is jus tthe one teensy sticking point - Justine's assertion that thing's cannot continue to go on as they have been...

glasgowwean · 29/06/2012 20:15

Aye, that Justine, always bullying, always hectoring.

JugglingWithTangentialOranges · 29/06/2012 20:20

Sorry about the PARN Hully - though if it made you laugh ....

Of course, Should have been PARD - polite and reasonable discourse/ discussion

  • a touch of dyslexia/ ADD/ forgetfulness creeping in there.

PARN - polite and reasonable negotiation ? Often needed on FWR ? Smile

EclecticShock · 29/06/2012 20:20

I like the feminist theory idea, it would encourage poster like me who don't agree with all the theory to do some research and answer robustly rather than just stating from personal experience that I don't agree... It's theory not experiences...

However, I do feel that not all activism is aligned with theory... So not sure these fit together that well, for example making the pill available to teenagers.

MsCellophane · 29/06/2012 20:22

Did Justine mean how it was leading up to these threads or how it has been since these threads though?

WicketyPitch · 29/06/2012 20:22

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.