Should MN have a People of Color Section?

[KickAssAngel]

Firstly: I am deeply ashamed that it has taken me 13 years to even think of this.
Second: My apologies if there is such a thing but I looked under the Talk headings and couldn't see one.

Like most of mainstream UK/Westernized culture there are certain POV or voices on MN which are more dominant. In an attempt to create a bit of space for people who somehow don't fit that kind of profile, MN has a few areas for those people. Cat lovers have the litter tray, there's a special needs area, and feminism topics (and others). I see those areas as places for people who are particularly interested in those things as being able to post there more specifically about their lives, hopefully (although not always) without being railroaded and drowned out by people who don't share those experiences.

BUT - I see nothing that provides people of color with a space.

I wouldn't want to invade there, but as someone who is white, and very aware that I pretty much just get the 'white story' from all areas of society, including MN, is this something that should be established?

I would see the potential benefits as 1. People who might want to share their experiences with others who would more immediately understand/agree with them could do so, and 2. I would want to lurk and hear the 'voices' of POC in order to drown out the white dominance I've grown up with.

I really hope I have raised this in a sensitive and appropriate way. I was prompted by a couple of things - one thread here about why women may not want men joining in a lot, which got taken over by a load of men joining in - and also, in RL, when a white friend shared some problems she's had as the partner of an African American, which really shocked me. I realized after that story that I have NO idea just what it is like to live with everyday racism, and then noticed how there isn't a space for that discussion on MN.

Would posters want this, or is MN so 'white' that other forums are being used instead?

Luchi, sorry that I misunderstood.

One of my boobs is bigger than the other....can I have my own special page please?

Ludicrous.

Empress - which is kind of why I thought it worth starting a thread. I haven't ever seen this discussed on Mn before. I could be wrong.

There is only one race, the human race.

it works both ways.

I work with many people with various skin tones and it does not matter in real life. It's like saying does hair colour matter!

This is the level of discourse on race there is on Mumsnet.
Sucks, huh.

cola belittling the OPs idea just goes to strengthen her argument that there may in fact be a need for a separate topic away from piss takers.

I think it's a good idea, and thank you for posting that video, it was a very interesting watch.

Awful idea. Why would anybody need a seperate area to talk just because of their skin colour? I don't like the idea of deviding people on this basis. It's very us and them, when infact we are all part of society regardless.

Helmet - I was trying to skip past those comments!

I do think that if BME people come to MN to see the white MC pov and then go elsewhere (whether RL or another online group) to get any kind of support because they don't get that support here, then it's a weakness of MN. I'd like MN to be so open and diverse that anyone can find some kindred spirits.

So, not white people on The Archers threads aren't finding kindred spirits?

Not white peoples on Masterchef threads aren't finding kindred spirits?

Not white people on "should I buy an iphone 7" threads aren't finding kindred spirits?

Why do you persist OP?

Why are you pretending that it matters to you where and how people of all races post on MN?

I think you cannot assume the racial, cultural background of anyone on mn. Unless they tell you.

I think racism needs to be discussed. I've seen it discussed many times. I've ranted a lot on many threads where I've read shocking racist and xenophobic comments. To move these discussions into a separate area that is in danger of becoming as slow as multicultural families (with possibly one or two posts a month) would not be a progressive or beneficial way of educating people about racism.

Gruach - Why would it NOT matter to me? From a purely selfish perspective I find life more interesting because of diversity. I also do manage to genuinely care about other people, and whether they are getting a fair lot in life. As someone who's been on MN for a long time, I actually give a shit about whether it is a racist place, even passively so, by not being as welcoming and inclusive as it could be to all people. If having a discussion about how the site is structured helps to open up discussion about racism & religious bigotry then I would like to have that discussion.

I don't see a problem with the concept, but not sure of how it could be implemented without appearing divisive.

Personally I like that if ethnicity or cultural heritage is an issue to the poster that it's often mentioned in the post. Otherwise we are all the same (because we are)...

But...

I'd love to know how many people who think skin color doesn't matter (rather than that it shouldn't) have spent much time in any skin other than white, assuming they're UK-based. Skin color does not have any biological impact on intelligence, yet school attainment rates can (and are) divided by ethnicity. Whatever the cause, it's a fact that we live in a society that is unequal in many ways. Pretending that's not the case does not mean it's not the case!

Caipora - if the multi-cultural families section isn't used much there are a few explanations for that.

1. MN is so white that not enough people post there.
2. MN is so white that multi-cultural people go elsewhere for those discussions, but may use other parts of Talk.
3. It is safe to post questions about multi-cultural family life on the main boards like Chat & AIBU and that those threads are still supportive and helpful to the OP.
4. MN & the UK are so diverse that there is no need for multi-cultural families to post because they never experience any problems at all, ever.

I'm guessing 1 & 2, with a little bit of 3.

How would anyone know anyone else's ethnicity on Mumsnet unless they chose to reveal it. That's one of the things I love about this forum.

Or 5 multicultural families are so diverse that there are not many people that will have the same experiences/be able to give much help to one specific family.

That's my personal experience.

I have just noticed that I can apparently only count up to 3.

I'm a Smurf.

What credentials should I email MNHQ?

An everyday racism thread would actually be really interesting. With an agreement to ignore the inevitable posts about how that wasn't racist because and people are too sensitive nowadays ...

Eek
I hate that term
And all of the terms really
And I am one
What the would the board be for?

I don't get it
I'm an English woman
I understand that people might want sections for countries or cities - but the colour of their skin?
The mind boggles. Well mine does.

I'm also wondering what would go on a multi cultural family board. Isn't this all part of chat?

I do call out racism, lots of posters do.

People of colour? Are you fucking kidding me?

OP your posts are starting to get bit Rachel Dolezal' now.

OP: I think there should be a separate board for PoC
MNers: no thanks. Also PoC Is a cringy term.
OP: but I would like to understand more about racism.
MNers: Don't think we need it, not about you.
MNHQ: MNers don't want it, we won't be doing it.
OP: let me tell you, PoC, why I am definitely right and you need a separate board.

Oi! You tiddly oggy eating, Poldark loving surfer girl! ( Is that what you meant?!)

I think it's a terrible idea.

Already some posters are treated completely differently due to their ethnicity or their religion.

I was reading a thread the other day where someone wanted to ask a simple question about Eid, and they were all "Hi ladies, sorry ladies, can I just ask a question ladies . Then they followed it up with "Thank you for answering my question".

And I was sat here thinking ffs if they were asking any other question, like "How often do you wash your sheets" for example, they would have just asked it without all the and the 'sorry ladies' stuff.

It made quite uncomfortable reading and I'd hate to see a 'People of colour' section go the same way, because like it or not it is othering and it can be quite patronising.

In the same way that I'm sure you didn't mean to sound so patronising OP when you said, I am deeply ashamed that it has taken me 13 years to even think of this.

Deeply ashamed? Really?

No. I am not white. I seriously think it is a bad idea to have a separate section. It would be an invitation to goady posters/trolls. How could you police it and ensure that posters were being truthful?
If I had an issue about race or culture that I wished to discuss, I would post in chat/AIBU or whatever. I don't think I would only need or want advice from other BME posters.