Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

Feminism: chat

Original poster

This board is the most frightening .

582 replies

fangbanger · 25/02/2011 23:25

Apparently.

I am a little saddened that a forum mostly used by women, has decided that the feminist boards are the most frightening of the forum.

Why do we feel that is? What can be done to prevent people from feeling so intimidated that they are too scared t post?

OP posts:
StewieGriffinsMom · 25/02/2011 23:30

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

JessinAvalon · 25/02/2011 23:32

This particular forum makes you think and makes you see things from an uncomfortable perspective.

There is one poster in particular whose posts always make me think. (Thanks Dittany!)

If people acknowledge that there's a problem, they might have to actually do something about it and change their own behaviour in some way. It's also unsettling to have to reevaluate your own beliefs, beliefs which you may have had from a child.

There's also the negative connotations of the f word.

Shame really. This section is my favourite on MN!

BooyFuckingHoo · 25/02/2011 23:34

i have to admit i lurked on feminism for ages before posting even though i was running riot all over the rest of the forum. at first glance, alot of what was being discussed was waaaay over my head, some still is but the more i read the more i understood and actually i find that you are all more than happy to explain anything that i dont understand (which can be alot) so i would say there really is nothing to be scared of. i love it in here now. it feels safe here.

balloonballs · 25/02/2011 23:35

For what it's worth I'm a near constant lurker and don't find you frightening.Grin

I don't post often because I've been "educating" myself by watching.

But seeing what Stewie is saying about the personal perspective being just as valid maybe I will now.

TapselteerieO · 25/02/2011 23:35

I thought they would suggest this topic, it is easy to be intimidated about posting about a subject that can seem quite militant.

I still post/lurk because even if I feel slighltly out of my depth I am interested.

lemonsquish · 25/02/2011 23:39

Hi, I've lurked on here for ages, but always been a bit scared to post.

I think it's because you all seem so well educated and I'm relatively new to feminist theory.

I've always thought of myself as a feminist but as have brought up two children alone, completed a science degree and lots of training at work, I've only just found time to read books on the subject.

I think you are all great, if a little intimidating for a relative newby.

bullet234 · 25/02/2011 23:41

If you're talking about BMC (as this was mentioned on that site today) then no, a forum did not decide. One poster, with their own opinions decided.

bullet234 · 25/02/2011 23:42

But for the recors I am a proud and definite feminist and I find the AIBU boards far more frightening.

Original poster
fangbanger · 25/02/2011 23:43

I do think that there is an element of the more well read posters being a little sneery (intentional or not it does appear that way at times) to those who post possibly naive comments on a subject.

As SGM (did you have a new name for a while or have you just returned from an absence? missed your name for a whiel) has said, every day discussion, without the deep academic undertone is what will probably achieve more, in the long run.

We need teh whole of MN to be not just lurking but contributing to these boards. Even if it is merely to disagree with some of the more extreme views. debate is after all one of the best ways to learn.

OP posts:
JessinAvalon · 25/02/2011 23:49

Oh I agree Bullet. AIBU is like a big fight! And what I find scary on there is the lack of feminism. I'm always amazed to read responses from women saying that lapdancing clubs/prostitution/porn are fine and to stop being so uptight/jealous etc etc.

BooyFuckingHoo · 25/02/2011 23:51

when i was groped in a nightclub i came here for support, i knew absoloutely 100% that i would get it. that is what i mean about feeling safe. and also proof that not all the threads are feminist theory discussions. i think there is room for more of the everyday sort of stuff though.

Original poster
fangbanger · 25/02/2011 23:51

no i am not talking about BMC.

I would find it odd that one site woudl be discussing another.

OP posts:
dittany · 25/02/2011 23:53

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Misfitless · 25/02/2011 23:54

Hello all you frightening feminists Wink.
I've avoided this thread like the plague before now but have been drawn in tonight for 2 main reasons -

I have never before in my life been as aware of sexism as I have been the last couple of months (and I'm thirty bloody seven!)

Your very cunning recruitment campaign in the guise of an invitation to join a March book group seemed too good to miss!

For these two reasons I'm in (if you'll let me be)
Smile.

LessNarkyPuffin · 25/02/2011 23:56

So you want to dumb it down? There's a place for all types of conversations on MN and feminism isn't restricted to this topic.

Misfitless · 25/02/2011 23:56

PS - my name is the opposite of a feminist name, I suspect. But I am loathe to change it Grin

dittany · 25/02/2011 23:57

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Misfitless · 25/02/2011 23:59

No I don't want to dumb it down Confused. As I said I haven't been on a feminist thread before and just wanted to join for the reasons explained.

Misfitless · 26/02/2011 00:00

Thanks dittany

EngelbertFustianMcSlinkydog · 26/02/2011 00:01

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
fangbanger · 26/02/2011 00:03

I am indeed a frequent namechanger. I did not namecahneg specifically to post on the thread earlier Dittany.

I have not said that I am intimidated, i have said that according to another thread on the boards tonight it would seem that large numbers of posters are.
I think that is sad.
I questioned why and offered my own opinions.

My post to you earlier said that i very much admired you level of knowledge and commitment to the feminist "movement" but that yes imo sometimes your posts can read a little too militant. not entirely sure why someone needs to be known to you to have an opinion on the posts you place on a public forum.

but this is not that thread, and it is not about you. so we will leave that spat here shall we.

OP posts:
StewieGriffinsMom · 26/02/2011 00:06

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

lemonsquish · 26/02/2011 00:06

Thanks Dittany, maybe I'll try to be more brave in future.

BooyFuckingHoo · 26/02/2011 00:06
PeterAndreForPM · 26/02/2011 00:07

I have done absolutely no academic study nor reading of feminist literature

I read some of the links that are posted here, that is all, and marvel at how articulate and intelligent some of the posters here are

I do, however, feel I have a place on this board

I do definitely think a little more before I post here, for example, than if I was posting some inanity in "chat" but that is how it should be, IMO

I have had soooooo much support and validation from this board, and like to think that even if I haven't paid it back on this one, I have in other areas, IYSWIM

isn't that what it's all about ?