You don't have to be feminist to post here, but it helps...

[MrsReasonable]

I've noticed that whenever a 'non-feminist' view is brought up, there are occasionally some posts along the lines of 'this is a feminist board, why come here if you aren't...', etc.

Genuine question - is this a feminist board, or a board about feminism? Obviously the majority of posters are feminist, but I'm not sure whether that is because feminists (surprise surprise) like discussing feminism, or because it is seen as a feminist 'safe haven'?

It's both I think. Although if your stance on feminism is that it's a load of rubbish, then why post here?

I didn't mean that's what you think, but that's why 'non-feminist' views are challenged. It's not a fight club, it's a forum for discussing feminism.

It just seems that if a poster were to criticise feminism (let's assume legitimately), then they would be accused of MRA/trolling, rather than accepted in a discussion about feminist issues, rather than feminist discussion of issues.

I think it's fair enough to criticise feminist tactics or whatever, from the perspective of a fellow traveller, for want of a better word. But what's the point engaging with explicitly ANTI-feminist arguments? There's enough of them everywhere else.

So I do see this as a feminist space, I suppose.

And MrsReasonable would be an excellent username for a concern troll of the MRA persuasion ...

I thought this might be a 'which is your favourite troll on feminist boards' thread - OP isn't it, but I feel absurdly fond of the barely literate one. Don't know why.

Lenin, you're chickenist!

I imagine it would get uber tedious to have the board filled up with people just saying 'but feminism is wrong'.

Hah, LeBJOF! I made the name with AIBU in mind because frankly they talk a load of bollocks over there.

MrsR - isn't it how the debates are couched? Purely aggressive interventioners aren't here to 'discuss' anything - just to put across an 'anti-feminist' view and chuck some insults around for good measure.

It is an open forum, so there will be some of that. I remember dittany when she was around had a higher threshold to meet than most in this regard. Leaned toward 'feminist board' rather than at the 'about feminism' end.

they do get too much attention, everyone is so busy dancing round them they don't realise they have ignored real contributions from actual people

not saying women are actual people, that would be too extreme, but you know what I mean

Surely all animals are created equal (just some more equal than others).

Yep. 'Tis I

Agreed. It's rather rude to butt in on a conversation and demand that the subject is changed. In my humble opinion.

The actual definition of a feminist (according to the American Heritage Dictionary) is someone, male or female, who believes in social, political and economic equality between the sexes. Basically, feminists believe that women and men should be treated the same and given the same rights

So yes, I am a feminist.

However, I disagree with a lot of the stuff that is posted on MN under this banner and so therefore avoid this topic most of the time, it's not good for my blood pressure.