Just wandering...

[SweetTooth2]

What is it about H&M and/or the royals, that gets people so angry and worked up?

People being pretty hostile to each other on the royal threads these days?

There seem to be quite fierce emotions in defence of H&M and also attacking them.

What's it all about do you think? Why all the hostility on these boards on either side?

(Obviously loads of people not being hostile. I fully acknowledge that! Just wondering why some posters have so much emotion for or against, and why the hostility to those with differing opinions. What is being ignited or triggered in people?)

I have seen threads where posters still posting on here have made racist statements or supported others who did. I have seen threads where white posters (admitted) have challenged POC when they have called out a racist post. Even when they are told of posters personal experiences they mock or try and minimise the experience. Hugely offensive.

They do it regularly and can barely contain their glee even on this thread. Often when challenged with facts they try and defend and then flounce. That can be quite comical.

Its not irrelevant. I'd like to know.

It was this weekend.

it is common on these threads for people voicing critical opinions of Meghan to be accused of racism, with zero evidence.

and that includes people from many different backgrounds, who have themselves experienced racism

while some people may dislike Meghan because of her racial heritage, it is nonsensical to decide all those who dislike her are racist, rather than forming a judgement based on her actions.

Even when they are told of posters personal experiences they mock or try and minimise the experience. Hugely offensive

and I’ve had the same treatment - told my experiences of racism do not count because I am white.

I must have imagined being spat on…

The threads were so pleasant and polite for the last few days.

Will Meghan head to the awards tonight. I don’t know if the streets of LA are better suited to avoid ‘catastrophic incidents’ like the alleged ones in NY.

There are many things I’d like to know too. That doesn’t make them relevant to every single discussion under the sun,

but an opinion on two people should be formed without reference to their relatives.

why should prats get away with prattish behaviour because of what their relatives may or may not have done?

The threads were so pleasant and polite for the last few days

weren’t they just.

wonder what suddenly changed…

It's the glee that gets me - there are several posters on here who do this repeatedly post inflammatory things, but avoid engaging in a meaningful discussion or taking responsibility for their statements.

there's nothing pleasant about the posts on this board, lots of just mean tabloid-y crap

I have an interesting story for you.

There is a poster who once used the phrase, I don't see colour and don't care whether she's black, white, or polka dotted.

I then posted an article explaining why the expression polka dotted in discussions about race is problematic, and why saying I don't see colour to people who have experienced racism because of the colour of their skin is even more problematic.

Next thing I know, a poster who had been tagging me on every thread just to say she was ignoring me changed her name to include the word ... polkadotted.

I kid you not.

It was so petty and childish, and indeed comical that I could only laugh. But it's the kind of passive aggressive pettiness that goes for intelligent engagement on these threads. And the delight with which as you say, they post about getting people deleted or banned tells its own story!!

There's been conversation about other members of the Royal family within this thread. Doria is also discussed. Harry and Meghan do not get away with any behavior they may or may not have done as they're costantly slagged off and have been sent death threats.

You're very rude to decide what is relevant and what is not. I'll ask again do you think that Charles, Andrew and William are not attention seeking and egotistical prats.

You raise a good question, OP. I think there are some genuinely obsessed posters here, and it’s quite hard to get a reasoned discussion going with them.

The H & M threads originated in Style and Beauty, would you believe, and migrated during the early days of Megxit when the shenanigans became more absorbing than what Meghan was wearing. Back then discussions were calm and measured on both sides, with one or two notable exceptions. There was only one thread at a time. It was all very civilised.

Once people started chucking accusations of racism around everything went south. Threads were derailed and deleted so it’s easy now to claim they were riddled with racists but they weren’t really. Obviously there were posters who went too far and they were rightly dealt with, but most were just looking to share opinions about what was a topical news item.

I stay away from posting these days as I can’t stand the sneering and goading that goes on. All the eye rolling and “What, me?” does my head in.

You're very rude to decide what is relevant and what is not. I'll ask again do you think that Charles, Andrew and William are not attention seeking and egotistical prats

Oh the irony.

here you are again asking again because you have decided it is relevant.

that’s very rude - by your own statement.

people do not have to have any opinions about any other members of the RF to think H&M are egotistical muppets and it’s false logic to predicate one on the other

Hey ho, the gang's (almost all) here

Think the progression of this thread is proving my point

aint that the truth

Sadly while you and others are referring to one incident over the weekend you are ignoring the racism which is prevelant almost every other day of the week. Week in week out. I am not trying to.minimise what you say happened but do wonder why the focus is on that and there is deflection from others? The actions leave no doubt as to some agendas.

How is it acceptable that white posters can challenge a POC on what they find offensive and racist? Yet instead of calling white posters out there is a rush to support.

Recollections may vary, but there were definitely threads about Meghan long before they left, and not just in the Style and Beauty section.

In November 2017, after the engagement was announced, I wrote to Mumsnet to ask them to keep an eye on the threads on this and other forums because there was a racist tone to the posts about Meghan that was concerning. I just checked my email and it was 27 November 2017 that I wrote to them.

After 2020, it got totally nuts with whole threads that ended up being deleted.

If you look at the 2020 section of these you will find whole gaps of missing threads because it got so bad, and so nasty.

And a lot of it was fuelled by racism.

It even got to a point where Mumsnet banned Harry and Meghan threads for some months as they could not monitor them adequately.

It even got to a point where Mumsnet banned Harry and Meghan threads for some months as they could not monitor them adequately.

Probably because they couldn't manage all the endless, spurious accusations/reports of racism rather than actual racism

Racism has become the default trump card to shut down criticism of two very privileged, very divisive and very attention-seeking individuals.

As you say, @MrsMaxDeWinter recollections may vary! Moderation at one point was deranged, I do remember that. Claiming that any criticism of Meghan came from a racist perspective became a knee jerk response from some posters and MNHQ were flapping about like headless chickens.

Things are calmer now, but not kinder.

Interesting you use 'trump' . How insulting but not untypical to say that racism is used to shut down criticism. Wow just wow. 👏👏

There are case studies being done already. As an amateur anthropologist, it has been fascinating to see how hatred has become a bonding mechanism for many here. I'm reading a lot about hatred as a bonding mechanism, and people finding solidarity in hating the same public personalities.

The free for all climate sometimes attracts the loonier elements, see for instance the posts on the Meghan is pregnant thread, about the kids not being hers, she was never pregnant etc.

Incidentally, the women whose pregnancies are most "denied" in these social forums are Meghan, Serena Williams, Beyonce and Michelle Obama.

Make of that what you will!