Concerns about racism

[PandoraSocks]

Hi there Mumsnet HQ

Many of us are concerned about the uptick of hatred, xenophobia and racism on the site over the past couple of weeks. Most of the bigotry is focused on asylum seekers. MNHQ will of course delete racism etc. if reported, but this has gone way beyond a few hateful posts.

Links below to three examples of threads which have descended into real nastiness.

Cheers.

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/in_the_news/5385273-civil-unrest-whats-really-going-on?utm_campaign=thread&utm_medium=share

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/5385914-do-you-believe-there-will-be-a-civil-war?utm_campaign=thread&utm_medium=share

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/5386073-to-be-so-fed-up-amd-disheartened-with-all-the-xenophobia?utm_campaign=thread&utm_medium=share

I think a pp said a journo exposed racism of Gransnet, resulting in some action being taken?

The fact Reform looks set to be our next government is to me proof these are mainstream views?

I also think that having a specific sex and gender sub hasn’t helped really - there’s hundreds of threads about how dangerous and awful and disgusting all trans people are and it’s full of attempts to paint right wing extremists as “talking sense” just because they also happen to hate trans people. If you did the same for immigration, you’d get loads of threads about rapists, grooming gangs, how you’re not allowed to say Christmas anymore and god knows what

You know what, I agree with this. That board hides behind "reasonable concerns" too and the last bit of your comment I can see happening too
you did the same for immigration, you’d get loads of threads about rapists, grooming gangs, how you’re not allowed to say Christmas anymore and god knows what
As said up thread to bigotry, it all follows the same script - "reasonable concerns, what about our women and children?!"
I don't want to derail the thread so not going into other issues but it's worth pointing out that the same would more than likely happen to an "immigration board'. Can just imagine what bile it would attract and would carry the risk of an echo chamber where people further get into extreme views and don't realise it.

https://yougov.co.uk/politics/articles/52704-is-there-public-support-for-large-scale-removals-of-migrants

https://www.ipsos.com/en-uk/two-thirds-britons-say-total-number-people-entering-uk-too-high

The views might be mainstream.

That doesn't mean that they are not racist and/or predicated on the basis of misinformation (or disinformation).

The reason that some of us want better moderation on MN is because misinformation and disinformation have a direct impact on public opinion.

Do you think concerns are ever reasonable? Do you not believe that women and children are more vulnerable than men?

I don't think so and be careful what you wish for yes they'll make some ground but Christ they can't run local councils.

Borrowed from another thread

Yes the YouGov thread highlighted some significant misconceptions-
Key to understanding this finding is the belief among the public that immigration to the UK is primarily ‘illegal’ rather than ‘legal’. Our research shows that almost half of Britons (47%) think there are more migrants staying in the UK illegally rather than legally, including fully a third of the public (32%) who think the illegal figure is “much higher”.

It’s far too early to even begin thinking about the result of the next election. The current polls are as reliable as a four year weather forecast.

Starmer is a spineless politician who speaks in soundbites to the media and the electorate. We are not, and it behoves us to do better.

I said it was untrue. Which it is. The fact that our PM is a weakling who panders to the rhetoric of Reform doesn't change the law.

Yes. Let's have a continuation thread on here focused on addressing racism on Mumsnet, and without derailing. Incidentally I think part of the problem is that racism is now being framed as a mainstream view, because it's becoming increasingly normalised and seen to be acceptable.

But you’re contradicting what the government is saying by coming on here claiming coming here by boat is not illegal. It is not you who decides the laws on what is and is not illegal. But you seem to only be able to resort to insults about the PM to justify your answer when challenged when that’s not what I asked. Seems you don’t have an answer and that you are wrong in claiming it’s not illegal

The second one is based on misconceptions rather than informed opinion.
Let's get this straight once and for all I do not advocate all and sundry wandering into Britain but the level of racist hatred is a real concern.
86 %of reform have strong views on immigration surprise surprise they exploit people's fears and is about the sum total of what they bang on about.

What the government says is irrelevant. The convention on refugees is clear. That's where I'm coming from, and it's not my opinion. It's a matter of international law. Why is that so hard to grasp?

Yea, I do. I don't believe in demonising and discriminating against entire groups as a result though.

I’d argue main stream views are being framed as racist in an attempt to reduce push back for a far left agenda. Which would explain why they’re not being actioned, because they’re not racist.

Is that the law or just your strange view on what you like to make up as the law lol

Well the thread is nearly full now.

Thanks to everyone who posted. It's been really informative in many, many ways.

I think there are lots of Mumsnetters outside of this thread who are worried about the racism on the site. The reaction to the "pink" thread showed that. That was Mumsnet at its finest IMHO.❤️

See you all on the boards, if you choose to stay here.

Fuck racism. Fuck bigotry. Fuck hate. They come in sneaky disguises, but they will never win.💪

Fuck racism. Fuck bigotry. Fuck hate. They come in sneaky disguises, but they will never win

Yes to this!

For the ones who hate it when I post gifs:

Thanks for starting the thread, OP.

It seems that nothing is going to change but it was still useful to air the issue, I think.

Some of us will have decisions to make about how we move forward.

Thanks for starting the thread. Its been interesting.

Have you read that whole article? Because I have, and it isn't the 'Brits want immigrants out' gotcha you seem to think it is.