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

And please OP, let me know if you would rather I stayed out of this - I'd like to help but do know I am white and so can make mistakes

@Applesandpears23

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.

Yes, totally agree.

Any suggestions from any race about the topic I love.

I would like to discuss the ins and outs of the police etc but probably a bit deep. But would be helpful for us to have legal advice from a black person should these types of situations arise.

Surely just topics that are very black specific? Because black People aren’t a homogenous group that have the same cultural experience surely? I find to say that there is a bit narrow.

I could for example ask for a “parent of mixed heritage” children section. But other than how do I help retain both cultures, how do I choose inclusive schools etc, I can’t think how my experience as a mother of them is the same as another’s who may share a skin colour but not in any way share a regional/cultural/religious background.

I don’t want them to be lumped by skin colour it’s regressive.

@doadeer Thank you again.

It's the same on lots of threads where the OP's question is ignored, and, instead, loads of unwarranted advice is given. The OP becomes hostile.
Difference here being, this happens every day of our lives.

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

Good point, sorry I'll shut up now (seriously, not meant snarkily)

@EDSGFC

I communicate with HQ shock

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

Feel free to discuss this with them.

[email protected]

Like you keep pointing out, I don't work for HQ so I'm not in a position to answer.

without it being hijacked by those white posters with ulterior motives.

Who are 'those white posters' with 'ulterior motives'?

Yet another wild accusation with no evidence.

1. How do you know the skin colour of all posters? Many have not said

1. What ulterior motives do you think some posters have?

Is the LGB + topic regressive?

@SoupDragon

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

AFAIK still mulling around ideas. I suspect one topic though.

[quote 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[/quote]
I need somewhere reliable on MN for long afro hair. I am Indian but from an aboriginal community and so have ‘black’ hair.

@midgebabe

And please OP, let me know if you would rather I stayed out of this - I'd like to help but do know I am white and so can make mistakes

I really appreciate your help.

I've covered in previous threads how we need white people to fight racism.
Just not being racist isn't enough.
As you can imagine it's very frustrating to read the same posters writing the same bullshit. I appreciate your fight when I am too down!
And, of course, racists are more likely to listen to white people than black people.

Thank you, midge

I think it sounds like a fab idea!!

@Quaagars

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

Good point, sorry I'll shut up now (seriously, not meant snarkily)

No, please don't. It isn't you! It's necklace and eyeshadow

@GrumpyHoonMain that would be one of the things I'd find most useful also.

[quote PatricksRum]@doadeer Thank you again.

It's the same on lots of threads where the OP's question is ignored, and, instead, loads of unwarranted advice is given. The OP becomes hostile.
Difference here being, this happens every day of our lives.
[/quote]
Yes I know. Every single black female friend I have has been called angry and hostile and my DH has been assaulted by police on his lunch break accused of dealing drugs. He is regularly mistaken for security or a cleaner at his company and asked to show his badge. The list is endless.

All I can say is there are lots and lots of us who have always been your allies and friends and not just because we've suddenly been told to with the BLM coverage.

Keep going 💪

On the previous thread one poster commented that it was hilarious to see the virtue-signalling by white people. What does that even mean?! I get that it’s not the job of black people to educate white people - anyone can google some reading material. I support the idea of a black section - tbh I’m not fussed either way 🤷‍♀️. For the love of god though please stop saying “whataboutery” it’s a made up word.

OP - creating racial silos is not how we fight racism. Communities grow in cohesion, character and strength by living together, sharing stories, allowing space for shared cultural ideals to develop.

If we stop raising matters pertinent across racial and cultural groups in a general "chat", "beauty & style" or "parenting" space, how then do we increase the probability of serendipitously learning about each other's unique challenges or even better, our own biases - racial or otherwise?

I learn a lot from MNetters simply by happenstance - race or creed irrelevant.

No, please don't. It isn't you!

Oh, OK, was just a bit as I've been replying to/calling out comments and chipping in a lot glad it wasn't a case of me not knowing when to shut up

@doadeer that's sadenning to hear but not surprising.

I hope with a legal section it would help with the unfair treatment we receive from the police.

@midgebabe

And please OP, let me know if you would rather I stayed out of this - I'd like to help but do know I am white and so can make mistakes

Yeah go and put your sackcloth on now

OP - creating racial silos is not how we fight racism.

Who's ^we?
^
I fight it how I choose to. Hth

@MrsIcandothis has pinpointed it more eloquently than I could.

If we stop raising matters pertinent across racial and cultural groups in a general "chat", "beauty & style" or "parenting" space, how then do we increase the probability of serendipitously learning about each other's unique challenges or even better, our own biases - racial or otherwise?

Nobody stops anyone reading other sections on here though, do they?
Just because a group has a section about things that interest them, or is helping them, doesn't mean others can't read and learn?
I read a lot of different experiences to my own to broaden my views.
People could learn a lot about other cultures from reading, they'd have to know to sit down and shut the hell up though, just read. Not come in with White People too! crap.
People don't listen to others enough.