Ageism - come on MNHQ stop deleting threads and let's challenge and debate and inform

[LaureBerthaud]

The 'why do elderly people go shopping on a Saturday' thread had a daft premise but the replies were informative and interesting. Ageism was being challenged. MNHQ (misguidedly IMO) deleted it. I'd like it reinstated.

I started a thread asking that MNHQ stop deleting ageist threads and allow them to be challenged so people could be better informed.

It went pooof in minutes. Apparently it was a TAAT because I referenced the shopping thread. I'd like it reinstated.

in the old days disablist threads were left up and we were told to educate.
I for one am glad we have moved on from that. Agism is wrong and imo MN HQ are quite right deleting it.

samcro is right. Many people were banned and others left because of the stance regarding allowing disablist threads to stand and didn't return.

There was a time this page would be full of people arguing for them to remain or be deleted.

Whilst there may be helpful and challenging posts not all are and many were offensive.

Hi OP

Thanks for getting in touch.

We understand that there are reasons for leaving this sort of thing up, but as Samcro has said, it's something we tried in the past and it just didn't work - bottom line is that if something causes upset and offence in the way that ageism/racism/disablism does, then we won't allow it to stand.

I agree with HQ on this.

Especially as the reasons given for older people going shopping on a Saturday, really didn't take a genius to work out.

And even when the reasons were stated repeatedly, people were still coming on to agree with the OP and say they didn't understand it either.

It's not even about people needing to be 'educated', they just have to think of a second, outside of their tiny little bubbles.

*for a second

It was an awful time when the policy on disability threads was to ask Disabled MNs and parents of Disabled DC to "engage and educate"

Some truly awful threads and posts were left to stand and stick out in my memory.

Often, disabled MNs upset responses would be deleted above and before or instead of the offending post, because the poster who was being offensive took offence to being told this. It was all a bit Orwellian.

Zero tolerance to prejudice is a better approach

Also agree with HQ's stance. That supermarket thread was vile. This virus has brought out a lot of ageism that's shocking, revolting generalisations about 'elderly' people and 'boomers'.

We do want to do our best, and listen to what our users want, and a majority want prejudice removed without question.

I've found some of the ageism upsetting, which is putting me off the site completely. Currently struggling with being the main carer of my frail elderly DM, and the total disregard and ignorance from some posters of the reality of older people's lives and the vitriol against them is shocking.

Ah ok, if that's how you feel. I don't think you can compare the ageism threads with the disablist threads (which I remember) but if people aren't up for the battle then we'll just have to pass on the opportunity to educate and improve things.

You can just hide threads rather than reporting them.

What’s the difference between ageist and disablist threads?

I've reported this thread for you!

The very stubborn elderly

I don't think you can compare the ageism threads with the disablist threads

Why on earth not?

There is one at the moment saying that all over 60s should be put into isolation

There's another with the thread title that her mother is a version of those horribly misogynistic Karen memes that's utterly rife with ageism.

Of course you can compare ageism with disablism! What a stupid thing to say.

And one thing you can count on, is all those who come on to the boards and spout racist/sexist/disablist/ageist shit are never going to listen - when people try to 'educate' them, just just retrench themselves in their original views. It never works. It sends a far better message if their posts are deleted - or even if they're banned.

I think the blatant ageism on here recently has been horrendous. We saw it on here over Brexit and now it’s rearing it’s ugly head over the current crisis. So many displaying such ignorance and mindless prejudice. Well I have news for them. They too will be old one day, if they’re lucky.

And another one here

And another one HERE

Come on, MNHQ - can we have a bit of moderating of all this ageism, please?

I do hope the ageist posters realise that Bojo has just asked retired NHS folks to help pronto and you can bet a good proportion of them are over70 as retirement age is rising

Hi - thanks for the reports. We're taking a look at all reports. If you have any concerns about a thread or a post, please drop us a line at: [email protected]