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

Mumsnet are creating a section, they agreed already.

great, thank you 🌺

Is it common practice to close threads at night? I know this thread wasn't closed, but several people asked for it to be, which was what made me wonder.

@Venicelover

Is it common practice to close threads at night? I know this thread wasn't closed, but several people asked for it to be, which was what made me wonder.

Nope. Not common practice. In fact I've personally never seen it done until Patricks' recent threads. Sadly we've needed special moderation, as for some reason people keep dropping in to ask completely unrelated and irrelevant questions and deliberately derail the thread. They feel they can, because it's an 'open forum'.

And then there's the small matter of abusive trolls waking up after midnight and finding a prime opportunity to verbally abuse us. It's all very sad, and by sad I mean pathetic. I'm not upset, because I expect it. I'm not going to count the posts but I'm pretty certain that 75-80% of this thread has been taken up with arguments against the idea and subsequent bunfighting, despite the original purpose being so straight forward. It really does make me question people's comprehension skills. No worries though. We'll rent another thread when this one is full and try again.

@Venicelover

Is it common practice to close threads at night? I know this thread wasn't closed, but several people asked for it to be, which was what made me wonder.

Will let @MNHQ explain more, but yes, sometimes threads do not accept new messages overnight if it is likely that they would be difficult to moderate (e.g. only when the Night Watch are on duty)

Oh, and TIL I have 4B hair. I've never talked about black hair online before, so these threads have been very eye opening. Prior to today my hair was just 'Afro hair'. Thanks, all.

Great Meme.

It makes a difference to know. It will be great to chat about things like hair online.

@Dastardlythefriendlymutt

Great Meme.

It makes a difference to know. It will be great to chat about things like hair online.

It will indeed .

It looks like my brothers have type 3C, and they shave it all off 🤬. Im going to demand they grow it until I have enough for a wig

God this thread is depressing. Absolutely OP should set up a black section and absolutely it isn't her responsibility to cater to all BAME people if that isn't what she's trying to do. Why people immediately assume it's one disadvantaged group's responsibility to look after all other disadvantaged groups is just more racism. And to whoever said whataboutery isn't a real word, it may not be a real word but it's a very real phenomenon and it makes me so mad. Just leave the woman alone to do something for black people and go away if it doesn't interest you.

OP, I am white so totally acknowledge my opinion isn't important here, but in the interest of de-derailing the conversation here is my two cents. One method for deciding sections would be to start a general black section then add sub sections in later when you have the data about what people tend to post about.

@Doughnut100 that suggestion seems to be the most popular and my first impression was that it would be the best way forwards. But as people made their opinions known, I worried that having one 'black section' would add to the ignorant perception that we want to 'segregate ourselves'. So I thought that having specifically named sections such as Black Hair and Black Food would make it harder to misconstrue the intention of the area. I am interested to know your opinion of this, as a white person, because so far I'm not feeling very reassured

Ha sorry I just realised I hadn't even read a fraction of the way down the (increasingly depressing) thread when I posted that and it's already been suggested!
Also reading further some of the section suggestions are very good so I agree it would be useful to start with sections.

Also as others have said it makes so much sense to have specific sections where you don't have to constantly explain and justify your need to even post in the first place. Good luck to you.

Thanks for this OP and Mn. I agree with all those who say this is really needed. I think a general black section would be a good starting point. More sections could always be added later on.

Is this an overseas Thread? why are the comments by OP only made after Midnight?

OP has been posting at all times, not just "after midnight". Even if she hadn't, what difference does that make? Also, you do realise that the whole of MN is open to people posting from outside the UK, don't you, or did you think it was UK only and "no overseas"?!

@AMemeByAnyOtherName

And then there's the small matter of abusive trolls waking up after midnight and finding a prime opportunity to verbally abuse us. It's all very sad, and by sad I mean pathetic. I'm not upset, because I expect it. I'm not going to count the posts but I'm pretty certain that 75-80% of this thread has been taken up with arguments against the idea and subsequent bunfighting, despite the original purpose being so straight forward. It really does make me question people's comprehension skills. No worries though. We'll rent another thread when this one is full and try again.

And then there's the small matter of abusive trolls waking up after midnight and finding a prime opportunity to verbally abuse us. It's all very sad, and by sad I mean pathetic

I could not agree more. If that does happen then it is much better for the thread to be closed overnight.

@AMemeByAnyOtherName yes I agree the sections could be a good idea but not necessarily for the reason that it appeases racist responses... Black people should be free to make the board for themselves and designing it in sections for the specific reason of deflecting accusations of separatism seems to cater to white people or racists if you know what I mean. Perhaps any overt racism would be moderated and the more insidious stuff would peter our over time as people get bored/used to it (or am I naive😬?) Also maybe the sections will dilute the traffic? But earlier in the thread there were suggestions that seemed very interesting and as a white woman I don't pretend to have a perspective on how necessary they are or otherwise.

[quote AMemeByAnyOtherName]@Doughnut100 that suggestion seems to be the most popular and my first impression was that it would be the best way forwards. But as people made their opinions known, I worried that having one 'black section' would add to the ignorant perception that we want to 'segregate ourselves'. So I thought that having specifically named sections such as Black Hair and Black Food would make it harder to misconstrue the intention of the area. I am interested to know your opinion of this, as a white person, because so far I'm not feeling very reassured [/quote]
Why on earth should there be any onus on the black community to demonstrate that their boards are truely necessary ?

Look how different this thread was

https://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/amiibeingunreasonable/a2364851-Why-does-Mumsnet-now-have-a-Scotsnet-section

Read the first post and last message if nothing else

Why not?

My skin is not black.

@midgebabe I took your suggestion and read the first and last posts. I really hope it will be that cut and dry. Practically, I do think one section will be much better until we have a better idea of what people would like to see. I just shudder at the thought of someone starting a thread in said section essentially asking (of course, innocently and wide-eyed) "why is this here?". Perhaps we can have an agreement with MNHQ to delete any threads like that on principal. But then that's not really within the realms of free speech. I don't know. After all of these threads my head is a mess.

Also, you do realise that the whole of MN is open to people posting from outside the UK, don't you, or did you think it was UK only and "no overseas"?!

lol 🤣

I would leave the wide eyed threads up, just don't respond

Same as if people post derailing posts, you need to be able to continue a thread hopping over the posts that don't positively contribute

It's not rude to blank people who are being bad

If this thread is anything to go by, any new black section will attract some questionable post. There are trolls and racists on Mn. People should be mindful not too feed them.

If this thread is anything to go by, any new black section will attract some questionable post. There are trolls and racists on Mn. People should be mindful not too feed them.

very well said 🌺

There are trolls and racists on Mn. People should be mindful not too feed them

Very true

AMemeByAnyOtherName are you white? As you keep posting

‘Our thread’
‘Abusing us
‘We will make another thread’

I’m a bit confused.

I still like sections. Because there ar things I would not even consider asking on MN and waiting to see friends so seeing sections kinda reminds me hey, I have a lot to ask, share and advice to give.

I think maybe limiting it to 4 sub topics and chat initially (as a PP advised) then letting them grow organically or not.

That Scotsnet thread is a stark difference to our experience.