To all those who say on threads 'I am too scared to go into feminism' - this topic isn't scary!

[GetOrfMoiLand]

I think it's a shame when I see threads where the OP says 'I am too scared to put this in feminism' or something.

I am certainly not knowledgeable about feminist theory, but have never felt that my opinion on this thread wasn't wanted or I was vilified for stating what I believed.

I think this topic is pretty inclusive - yes some people are forthright with their opinions, but nobody's word is god, and I would hate to think that mumsnetters were put off contributing to threads in this topic because they mistakenly think the posters on here are viragos.

Ah, sorry, cross-post ironing.

I totally agree it's really important to discuss how things can be inclusive - not imo just how feminism can be inclusive but how we can make all areas of our lives better at including women (who tend to be disadvantaged in terms of access to 'intellectual' stuff anyway).

I do myself often want to ask simple questions that seem dim to more seasoned posters - but it doesn't matter. And I don't feel they should have to stop posting just because I am not as well read as them.

I do think there's a very strange perception of 'intellectualism' both within and without the section - some posters in the past have been very vocally anti-academic in the cause of feminism while at the same time being very, very intellectual. It can make someone like me, who's a student but not an intellectual feminist, feel there's no place for my voice - that I'm both too inclined to see things through a student-y perspective and too lacking in feminist intellectual knowledge. I think we have to find a place for all of these voices. IMO we do very often hit that ideal on individual threads, though ... and when we do it is just amazing.

getorf Ive always been nervous of posting in Feminism but decided to give it a go a few weeks ago. I was told to "shut the fuck up". That kind of put me off posting here again.

bibbity - I haunt the feminist section a bit. Not sure if I count as a regular. And yes, I can see where the reputation has come from - but not sure what good it would do me if I paused for thought as I am not one of the snippy ones. You can't stop people posting the way they choose. But the fact that some posters are forceful in their posting style shouldn't negate the value of the section as a whole.

Here's the thing, I'm a bit clueless when it comes to style and beauty. I would quite like to know more about a few particular things, but am not interested in talking lots about labels endlessly. Some of it doesn't do much for me, but sometimes I want to know what they think or to get some advice or support - what the hell am I going to wear to an evening wedding, etc. So do you know what I do when I want to be included in some but not all of Style and Beauty?

I go and start a thread about what I'm interested in.

I don't start threads about how scary and exclusive they are, talkingabout stuff I don't know. I just ask.

Switzerland! Here at last.

"You say people keep moaning that they're left feeling unwelcome and banging on about it.. why dont you try and do something to make them feel more welcome instead of rolling your eyes and saying "here we go again"?"

Well what do you suggest we do velveteen? I am not personally rude to anyone. Most of the feminists regulars aren't. Do you suggest we tie up and sit on the snippy and more vocal individuals who upset you? The feminist section isn't a Corporation with a PR dept - it can't as a whole influence the way people perceive it.

Velveteen - well if we did what the saying told us we wouldn't be feminists at all!

"I don't start threads about how scary and exclusive they are, talkingabout stuff I don't know. I just ask."

And are "they" in Style & Beauty on the whole prepared to engage with you - or do you sometimes feel like you wish you hadn't bothered?

Assange? Why? Owt new?

Now style and beauty! That is really scary...

yeah Assange, what a wanker eh.

Anyone know what the latest is on him?

I love S&B. I love it that people can talk about bags for so long and really care.

Prolesworth, hardly a friendly response though was it??

I love S&B too ... but I have seen plenty of responses that are just along the lines of 'yuck, sorry' or 'that is vile'. All seems to be both posted and read with good humour.

The thing about posting in Style and Beauty is that you always have to be prepared for at least one person to say 'that's shit' even if actually it is gorgeous. And I have seen people say it to posters who were saying 'I've just bought this dress, how shall I accessorise it?' rather than being still at a point where they might be saved from themselves.
But if you are prepared to take the small amount of shit there is an incredible amount of kindness, helpfulness and expertise to be had on there. (You know when you say what you are looking for and within 2 minutes someone has posted you half a dozen links? How do they do that? Do they actually know exactly what is for sale in all the different shops and how to go straight to the link?)

Well i admit to being scared! I consider myself a feminist and often I read stuff here I would like to comment on, often I must confess, things which I think are complete nonsense - but I don't - especially when it goes against majority opinion on the thread - as you know you'll just get torn to shreds.