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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

Feminism: chat

Original poster

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

1004 replies

MrsReasonable · 26/08/2011 17:50

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'?

OP posts:
Beachcomber · 30/08/2011 15:04

Right one last go at this before I get on with something constructive.

The feminist board is no different to any of the other special interest boards on MN.

I'm an atheist so I don't go on the religion/spirituality boards. I respect their right to have a special interest section of this open public forum in which to explore their special interest. I also do not expect the religious members of MN to bring religion constantly onto the main boards ie chat/AIBU/etc saying as they have their own aptly named special interest board in which to explore their special interest.

I am not threatened by there being a special interest board on this open forum that is not about me, my values or my world view. I think it is normal that if I went on that special interest board and posted atheist views all the time that that would be considered a bit odd and not a little rude. I would expect to get short shift if I then insisted that my views be included and explored.

scottishmummy · 30/08/2011 15:26

read the op,safe haven/space is mentioned a lot and nt just by op
this is clearly a shared perception.and imo a substantial reason for a lot of dischord. imo,there is a definitive you cant say that here vibe,maybe that taps into safe space idea. this often manifests as an idea being discounted as
anti feminist
what about men
apologist
etc

i think the op Genuine question - is this a feminist board, or a board about feminism? - is a good one

my pov is its an open discussion board,discussing feminism. it doesn't need to adhere to a particular orthodoxy or pre-reading to participate. nor am i going to desist posting because someone doesnt agree. you see i expect a certain amount of riposte

others have variously argued is feminist safe space and have some expectation of topics and content

LRDTheFeministDragon · 30/08/2011 15:33

Read my posts, SM. MN already has rules to make it a safe space. Makes it exactly the same as feminism, IMO.

You seem to think you can post all over MN with the same rude and nasty comments about 'words on a screen' and mickey-taking of vulnerable people. I've seen you being pulled up on AIBU/Chat for it and I'm pretty sure you've had comments deleted for it. All you seem to want to do here is pull this section down to the same level. The whole of MN has rules to make in a good, safe place to post. The fact you don't like them is really not my problem.

TheRealMBJ · 30/08/2011 15:35

SM delights in being contrary. All over the place.

scottishmummy · 30/08/2011 15:37

in fact its you who is rude and quite het up at the mo.
mn special rules for this topic-really?
clearly not a well known dispensation then,given these type threads regularly pop up

LRDTheFeministDragon · 30/08/2011 15:39

Am I rude? How so? Are you trying to say you don't post like that?

I don't know what you mean by 'mn special rules' and 'dispensation'?

scottishmummy · 30/08/2011 15:39

are you saying there are mn special rules for fem board?where
there are global mn talk guidelines,yes
the feminist topic rules, yes id like to see them

i think the op ^Genuine question - is this a feminist board, or a board about feminism? well worth asking

Beachcomber · 30/08/2011 15:41

But SM an open board for discussing feminism could be a board full of people saying 'feminists are just uppity ugly man haters with personal issues and that feminism malarky is just a cover up for their secret agenda to take over the world and spoil things for normal folks'. Or people saying 'that so called feminism is just so not needed any more as we women have got equality because we can choose to strip/be prostituted/perform femininity/take on most of the housework and childcare'.

Like much of the rest of the world really.

And so people create feminist/women's rights spaces which are generally understood to be places where we can chew the feminist fat without being called uppity man haters.

I was of the understanding that this board on MN was the latter rather than the former. Otherwise it would be a bit pointless really Confused.

LRDTheFeministDragon · 30/08/2011 15:42

SM, as I have said, this idea that MN as a whole and the Feminism section are somehow running on different rules is something you perceive to be true, which I don't. Don't ask me why you think this: I don't know. Obviously, I don't think there are special rules for this board. I've already said that the normal rules apply here just as much as anywhere else.

What is so difficult to follow here?

scottishmummy · 30/08/2011 15:46

so how did the safe space understanding arise?was it formalised or hoped for
i know the global ruels, is the suggestion that there are diff rules for this board, different from chat etc. and of course on an open board you will get range of pov.goe with the territory.only way to screen content and posts is moderate contributions, and some sort of sign up and acceptance of a collective ethos

to my knowledge this topic isn't moderated other than by mnhq
no sign up or screening
no prescribed collective ethos made known to posters.but def a you cant say that vibe

LRDTheFeministDragon · 30/08/2011 15:48

The whole of MN has rules to make it a safe space for people to chat in. They are under 'Talk Guidelines'.

scottishmummy · 30/08/2011 15:48

it has been suggested numerous times that diff posting rules apply
and yes i do think its fascinating. i think there is a vibe. i dont think there are rules per se,couldnt have or enforrce rules on open forum

DontCallMeFrothyDragon · 30/08/2011 15:50

I'm still waiting to find out what these "entry requirements" for feminism are...

And now I'm waiting for the special "rulez"

Grin
giyadas · 30/08/2011 15:51

Clearly rules can be enforced on an open forum, or MN wouldn't delete posts for breaking them would they?

Beachcomber · 30/08/2011 15:51

Nobody expects the camping board to be a board full of threads like;

"Camping; is is just for sad nerds who like talking about SIGs?"

"Camping, what is the point in it when hotels exist?"

"Who do the campers think they are expecting people to talk about tents and kit on the camping boards all the time eh?"

"Jeez those campers are right mean bullies - did you see how they got bored with explaining to me over and over again how pleasant camping is and how they are not the insane extremist nutters I called them take them for".

scottishmummy · 30/08/2011 15:53

its a board about feminism,expect a comment about feminism.

LRDTheFeministDragon · 30/08/2011 15:53

By you, or by me?

These 'diff posting rules'?

I think by you.

I can explain my own habits that guide how I reply to people, but those aren't rules. For example, if someone posts nastily, I try to pick them up on it. This does not mean I believe there is a rule saying I must do that. If someone has a go at someone else for bad spelling, I pick them up on it. There is no rule to make me do this. If someone posts saying Russell T. Davies is better that Moffat, naturally I pick them up on this.

Do you see, these things are not rules ... they're my habits of posting. Your habit of posting is to mock posters by telling them they should not be upset by responses. I prefer my way of doing things, and I'll carry on doing it. And I explain it to you as a courtesy, so you can understand better what's going on. If I thought it were governed by rules, I'd just report you and ignore, wouldn't I?

LRDTheFeministDragon · 30/08/2011 15:55
scottishmummy · 30/08/2011 15:56

certainly that would be your subjective opinion
i of course can disagree
you see thats how it goes on discursive forum

LRDTheFeministDragon · 30/08/2011 15:58

Oh, finally!

So what's the problem then? Have you accepted we're not all nasty meanies just because we don't agree with you?

scottishmummy · 30/08/2011 16:00

i accept you can bang on about what a git i am.on the feminism topic and elsewhere apparently.and that i dont have to concur

DontCallMeFrothyDragon · 30/08/2011 16:02

Hang on, put words on the screen that aren't there, why don't you, SM... Hmm

LRDTheFeministDragon · 30/08/2011 16:03

I never said you were a git. There's no need to put words in my mouth, unless you feel the need because you have nothing to say.

Would it not be easier for you to let this go?

scottishmummy · 30/08/2011 16:04

the feminism board has a def cant say that vibe and its been picked up on.numerous times.by numerous others

and no i have never said you is nasty meanies.because im not 5

i would have def have written a more convoluted way of saying,this board feels bitty inaccessible if not toeing the line

scottishmummy · 30/08/2011 16:05

everyone else paraphrases so when i rome...

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