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'?

[ChristinedePizan]

I'm as surprised as you are sm. :) It was claig that brought her name up and it wasn't really anything to do with you, just an example that claig's position as defender of the outlier is a wee bit absurd.

[MsCellophane]

"Some people, as mentioned above, come at it from a history of abuse, which clouds how they think about things, these people shouldn't be made to feel worse."

I really don't want to attack you as you will then run off and say how scary feminists are, but really it is very patronising to imagine that just because someone has been abused, that means that everything they ever think and do is coloured by that abuse. Feminism is a political philosophy and people arrive at it through rational thought and analysis, plus their own experience or empathy for others. It is deeply, deeply patronising to use people's abuse as a means of attacking their ability to think rationally. I accept that you may not intentionally be doing this, but given that it's a brilliant way to silence and belittle feminists, can you see how that might look to people who are already constantly under attack for their opinions? You talk about how you felt when you were on a thread where lots of people disagreed with you - can you imagine how people who have experienced abuse feel, when you come on here telling them that the reason they believe what they do, which they think is based on statistics and crime figures, is actually because their abuse has damaged them and caused them to think wrongly? To paraphrase what you said: can non-feminist posters think a little before having a go - or should that be can feminists with your brand of feminism think a little before having a go. Same rules for you, you see. And I hope that you won't take that as an attack, it's not meant to be, it's just pointing out once again, the double standards about this.

That is highly patronising - others have said similar to me. Women that have been abused often do blame themselves and will hold onto certain rape myths, others have said the same.

I said can people not think a little before attacking - that can go both ways, non/undecided/ardent - can't people think a little?

And I wasn't upset due to people disagreeing with me, I was upset as my whole posting history and style was thrown at me, I was quoted totally out of context and was follow around the fucking boards!!!!

And your answer is very passive aggressive, you are blaming me for feeling upset... hmm, what does that remind you of? Did you read the bits about my rape and my bullying?? I have to say, I actually saw the rape as mindless violence but the bullying was slow torture, I'm not the only one out there who said similar about people finding feminism

[ssd]

by scottishmummy earlier

"yes its been v intersting
great to have any topic open and allow exploration"

yeah right, I'll tell the jokes

now girls get back to conkers and talking shite so as to avoid any discussion that doesn't go your way

or threaten posters with dittany, sure sm is crapping herself