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

@Venicelover

I honestly don't think that many of the posts by the OP are doing her cause any favours.

Lots of people including me (for the avoidance of doubt) support the idea, but cannot support the overtly offensive way other posters are being spoken to.

The OP may wish her ethnicity to be known, but not every poster will feel the same way ( for various very valid reasons) so asking people 'are you black' with the undertone being that otherwise they are not entitled to post, is counterproductive, offensive and not the way forward.

The title of the thread is: Dear black people of Mumsnet This section is Site Stuff

The OP is asking for views from mumsnetters who are black, supported by HQ, ( see comments).

Asking someone here on the thread if they are black is obvs relevant to the views they present.

If you are offended by something then report it. Otherwise, have a good day.

Okay, @Venicelover , you've made your point. You think Patricks is rude.

Not once have you contributed anything of value to this thread. The OP had a single question in it that you have not answered once, instead using this thread as a platform to air your dissent.

This isn't the place for that. It's been explained countless times but you keep chiming in. Even if you have 'the best intentions', surely by now it's clear as daylight that you're not helping anybody. We would like to discuss ideas for the new black area on MN. Let us be.

The OP is not being assertive, in my opinion

Bet she's crying into her drink about that (not)
I think OP has been incredibly restrained and pretty polite over all these threads, definitely more patience than I would have lol

I wanted to make the point. I have done so now, however, I can and will post on any thread I wish. I will also report to MN as I see fit. I would also respectfully disagree that my contribution has not been of value.

Any thread should be conducted appropriately, regardless of who it is (primarily) aimed at. I assume we are all in agreement that this site should be inclusive'?

"however, I can and will post on any thread I wish"

Okay. Well as relevance doesn't seem to be an issue for you then, might I suggest you post your concerns about the black MN space in sporner's corner?

Okay@Venicelover we agree, you are right. Your contribution is very helpful.

Can we move on now and go back to discussing our suggestions.

Okay, so far we've had a lot of discussion for and against having one main section as opposed to three or four subsections. I'm really on the fence with this one and I'd love to have some focused discussion about it without the derailing.

I and others have made some suggestions for 'sections' but those won't really be relevant if we decide against sections for the beginning stages.

The name of the area, I'm finding it difficult to find the suggestions amongst all the dissent and whataboutery. Can anybody remind me what the current suggestions are? Or has one been settled on already?

I wonder would tags be more effective.

So you could post your question within the relevant topic but highlight you're looking for black perspectives. Eg Hair q's in S&B tagged Black.

Might solve the potential tumbleweed problem which would be relevant to MNHQ when they do their sums but also get the target audience.

Though I dont know if that harder from a technical pov.

Might solve the potential tumbleweed problem which would be relevant to MNHQ when they do their sums but also get the target audience.

Why assume tumbleweeds though? Does anyone know if there's goign to be tumbleweeds before a board is set up?
In Scotsnet, for example, I'd have thought that's only a niche board for Scottish MNers and not relevant to most of us.
Black people are a huge proportion of the world's population, I'd have thought there'd be a great demand for a black board so to speak, - especially if that afro thread linked upthread is anything to go by!
Might encourage more black posters to post in my opinion

I think you're entitled to whatever section you like OP. If you would like to speak about black issues then that is entirely your right.

However, what I don't agree with is you saying, which I saw with my own eyes on another one of your threads 'if a white person talks in this section then they should be banned'. How dreadful. I would never tell anyone of any colour that they were not allowed to post somewhere simply because of SKIN COLOUR. Disgusting.

Maybe so Quaagers.
Hard to know until it's been tried.

However, what I don't agree with is you saying, which I saw with my own eyes on another one of your threads 'if a white person talks in this section then they should be banned'

Surely that depends what white person is saying?
Some of the ignorance (whether intentional or general not knowing and digging in heels when brought up) I can see why them posting should just pipe down, as it wouldn't be a board for black people to educate us white folk

@Quaagars Of course it depends on what they're saying 100%. But how can white people be educated on black topics if they're not allowed anywhere near them. This could only make matters worse surely.

The board exists for black people and to meet their needs not to educate people. By all means lurk and read or respectfully comment but the board's purpose is not too educate white people. They are many resources online to educate yourself.

But how can white people be educated on black topics if they're not allowed anywhere near them

Why won't you be allowed anywhere near them?
How about lurking to educate yourself (general yourself) on others, it isn't their job to have to field all the questions aimed at them, even if well intentioned if all they're after is advice?

I'm not saying that white people should go on and ask a bunch of questions. But saying if any white person makes a comment should be banned is ridiculous. I could understand if it was a silly question or trying to be rude but no, apparently no white people at all. You can't tell someone that they can't do something because they're a certain colour? That's ridiculous.

"However, what I don't agree with is you saying, which I saw with my own eyes on another one of your threads 'if a white person talks in this section then they should be banned'."

I've been an active participant in all of the recent threads about this new space. Please can you tell me which thread that quote was from. I'd very much like to see it in context.

Okay @bedjolly you are absolutely right! We all agree with you. Thank you for your insight.

Can we please go back to the purpose of the thread which is suggestions for the board.

@Dastardlythefriendlymutt do you remember what names have been suggested so far for the board itself? I know BlackNet is one but I'm not sure of the others.

This thread is making me really angry! How can so many people be so obtuse, and unaware that black people often have very different experiences to white people.
I like the idea of a black section, with subsections eg style and beauty, travel, health.
I appreciate that there is probably a desire from many for black experiences to be acknowledged.
I’m mixed (not black), married to a black man. My children look like me (brown).
I support the OP’s idea, but again feel a bit sad that my mixed heritage, and that of my children, makes me feel like an outsider that doesn’t fit in anywhere.

Agree with a previous PP: 'I think I could benefit from understanding more about how it feels to be a black woman in this country. I’d be interested to read such threads (without commenting myself). Seems a good idea.'

This is how the transwidows thread works, and it works very well.

I (white woman) support this idea OP, and I am sorry that you have met such resistance.

Obviously I am not qualified to comment but I was idly wondering whether a black section would make new posters think they were being corralled. Would a "Black Issues" type topic plus separate "Black Style and Beauty" etc topics alongside the existing ones be the way to go?

@@AMemeByAnyOtherName I think
BlackMumsnet
Blackmumsmatter

@SoupDragon

No