Dear black people of mumsnet

[PatricksRum]

Ideas for a black section on mumsnet.

Should we have separate sections i.e black hair and beauty, black parenting, black cooking or a general black section?

Link to previous

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/_chat/4018383-black-section-on-mn

I understand that mnhq would rather the black community suggested what was most appropriate than dictate from a white viewpoint what they would suggest. ...certainly listening is generally considered a better way to support a minority than dictating

How to deal with someone who tells me its ok because my son could pass for white as he just looks tanned.
How to even start to explain to her why that is wrong-she thought it was a compliment
How to help black youths negotiate the world in a white school and world without them beclming disillusioned and aggressive

@AuntyPasta

Are you just racist, a bit thick or both?

IQ 120, half Thai and partners half Jamaican. So which are you?

That’s low for MN but I’ll go for racist.

'Exactly the same reason why there’d be an absolute fucking uproar if there were a white only section.'

1. Loads of men hate MN as it's very much a majority female place. They say it's sexist. Do you agree?
2. It's not 'only' how can it be on an anonymous website?
3. The correct analogy would be saying that Mumsnet is divisive because it's aimed at women. Do you believe that?
4. Reverse racism. Huh. White people have not been oppressed by black people in the UK. Your idea it's racism to have a board where black people can talk about things that are pertinent to them is ludicrous. Is it divisive to have a section for LGB+ people on this board? Same difference

Interesting and depressing thread.

And a black section is entirely appropriate.

@Randominternetbitch 👏👏👏👏👏

The fact that so many are objecting shows how much it is needed. Mumsnet it’s in your hands now.

@Byallmeans

Patrick keep posting as you expose the deep rooted racism people just don’t believe they have.

Yes to a black space

And yes to a black moderator.

Because what would be the fucking point otherwise?

Also didn’t you know being a black angry woman is so unwhite...

I’d be really interested in knowing how many black and Asian moderate MN tbh.

Thank you

I, too, am interested in the ethnicity makeup of HQ.

"Why do you need a black section?"
"Just read the threads and you'll understand"

They're making my job of explaining so much easier.

I am white so feel free to ignore but I wondered if somewhere to discuss birth and ante/post natal care and experiences would be useful given the shocking mortality stats.

@BraveGoldie

Patrik you are doing awesome. Hope the Jollof went down well.

I would love a section on supporting black businesses. That is somewhere I would go for recommendations.

Thank you so much.

The black business thing is SO important.

Also I need the secrets for thd best rice'n' peas!

@midgebabe

I understand that mnhq would rather the black community suggested what was most appropriate than dictate from a white viewpoint what they would suggest. ...certainly listening is generally considered a better way to support a minority than dictating

But that is generally asked by MN, not by an individual poster.

As I said, was the disability board set up by mumsnetters with disabilities? Is it moderated by someone with a disability?

@doadeer

OP

Higher education section might be helpful my DH works at a very big well known company and they have programmes to increase black representation, he gives talks and goes into schools and colleges with high BAME (best for word in this context) proportions about what these type of companies look for and how to get on graduate schemes.

There are lots of resources and organisations available that people might not know about. I would be happy to share in these sections if it would be helpful.

Sounds good

Job vacancies also

@midgebabe

I understand that mnhq would rather the black community suggested what was most appropriate than dictate from a white viewpoint what they would suggest. ...certainly listening is generally considered a better way to support a minority than dictating

But isn't that presumptuous and insinuating that there are no staff at MNHQ whobare black or would be able to ask for suggestions.

Exactly puppy...you don't see the white section.

But black people are saying that because white is the default, that limits what they can easily discuss, limits the responses they get.

The OP is asking for black, it would be inappropriate for ?her? To suggest spaces for other minorities.

@EDSGFC

I'm confused by all of these different threads by op, basically asking the same question.

Usually, if MN are planning on changing anything it's them that posts isn't it? Certainly it's what they did when they wanted to amalgamate different boards.

Op suggested this yesterday and MN replied and said they'd consider it. Why are there now threads from the op to work out the whys and wherefores? That's up to MN isn't it?

This will shock you...

I communicate with HQ

half Thai and partners half Jamaican. So which are you?

Yeah, and?
Are you saying because you're half Thai and Jamaican, that means you can't possibly say anything racist?
How does that work, then?

"Why do you need a black section?"
"Just read the threads and you'll understand"

They're making my job of explaining so much easier

Indeed! Becoming more and more clearer why

White fragility like male fragility is definitely a thing.

Mnhq wanted more details fleshed out by the users. I don't know the colour of many at MMHQ but those that I know of, those at the top , are white.

@MargeryBenson

And I support a black space on MN. I think you'll find most posters for it tbh.

The issue - again- is the op herself and how she is allowed to get away with 'no whites please' on her now deleted thread but people are deleted left right and centre for expressing an opinion too.

You are called a racist. Or hard of thinking. Or white fragility (wtf?) and it's honestly for the best that white people stay away from this post now probably. The op herself said this.

I'm white and have had lots of normal pleasant exchanges with the OP on both threads because I'm contributing to the actual question she asked I'm not trying to derail her thread and question why she would want it in the first place. If you want to contribute to the question she asked that would be different.

I communicate with HQ shock

And? Why don't they follow the same procedure for other changes then and let members make the decisions?

@Randominternetbitch

For the umpteenth time:

The OP asking for a safe space for black people makes fuck all difference to anyone else who isn’t white.

You are perfectly entitled to make a case for a space for any other group you feel passionate about.

There are already plenty of special spaces for certain groups -Scotsnet, Dadsnet, Gransnet, Special Needs, Feminism to name but a few. This concept is not new

The OP does not have to justify herself to you no matter how many times you demand it and it’s not her problem if you’re offended by her posts. Neither does she have to moderate her language just to make you feel comfortable. I’m actually amazed at how she’s managed to keep her cool, I don’t think I have it in me.

This isn’t about you - your attempt to make it about you as a non black person demonstrates precisely why a space for people with actual lived experience of being black in the UK is needed by our black mumsnetters.

You might not agree with her posts or her ask but in truth no one cares what you think and you’re not special. Only Mumsnet can act on it. So either shut up, listen and you might learn something or jog on!

Thank you so much. I'm really biting my tongue. There's a few posters who have clearly said they have no opinion on the potential section but keep repeatedly posting and replying to comments that insult me. I don't care about the insults. What is upsetting is that, yet again, we can't have a thread for ideas about our topic without it being hijacked by those white posters with ulterior motives.

Have MNHQ said they are creating an entire set of topics rather than just one?

@PatricksRum I truly hope you get what you want but it won't necessarily have much traffic.

That is not a racist comment!
I'm a fish keeper and 'Fishnet' is like tumbleweed.

So is 'Legal Matters'

The 'Chat' section encompasses everything.