In light of MNHQ's recent statement that the feminism section is in fact not a feminism section but a section 'about' feminism, perhaps we need to be warning people about this up front?

[Beachcomber]

I'm of the opinion that it needs to made clear that whilst the title may be 'feminism/women's rights', this section is quite different to other boards that deal with feminism/women's rights.

It isn't fair to mislead - lots of posters expect the section to be a place where feminist views can be freely explored without fear of posters' mental health being questioned, and a zone where misogyny is unwelcome. In reality, pretty much anything goes here and whilst it is, of course, MNHQ's prerogative to run their site as they see fit, some sort of disclaimer about the section seems only fair in order to forewarn posters (especially posters looking for support or exploration of sensitive issues).

Perhaps it would be an idea for there to be a header at the top of the section stating MNHQ's position?

All suggestions welcomed .

i have never felt need to hide any postser - why would i
i dont personalise mn,nr do i commit the names to memory
it is possible to vociferously disagree on one thread and be concordant on another

if i understand correctly,yes diff people would see different threads and responses

"a feminism topics mission statement is socialsciencetastic and well too earnest and chin scratchy"
erm...having a FAQ or readme or similar is absolutely bog standard web practice. I've seen such things on egullet, on jewish studies sites, on audio equipment sites, etc etc. It's a geeky idea, but socialsciencetastic?! Hardly.

derailers is stock phrase of derision on fem topics
over used and applied to posts not liked,as opposed to malicious content
i think mnhq have this just right they clearly dont want to over moderate or tippy toe around deleting everyone called derailers or troll.else on lively threads there would be v limited posts

FFS, it's a couple of stickied threads. One to say 'hello new poster, you're very welcome but here's a few things you might need to know about the sort of risks you might take posting here' and another to say 'got some questions? Ask them here'.

It's hardly an impossible request.

no SM - it's a matter of taste - de-railing ISN'T a stock phrase in the FS - it's used, imo, when the intent is to avoid discussion and development of a thread. The 'taste' bit comes in with a degree of thought, which MN atm don't wish to exercise.

and MN don't have 'it' just right - they are absenting themselves from this. And I am sure they (Justine et al) have their reasons for doing so. It's just that I don;t come anywhere agreeing with them.

the risks of posting personal details on mn are global,not unique to fem topics
and what questions?answered by whom?given general lack of agreement of purpose of fem topics there is unlikely to be a encompassing list of questions

sorry SM - could you be a bit more vague?

derailer,what about the menz,etc oft touted over used and often as put down to marginalise or dismiss a pov. it has lost its significance or meaning here - is just a fem topics standard put down.like we done that already mn put downs of yore

There was a link given to forkful's excellent thread earlier. Plenty of posters posted their own particular responses to general feministy questions and it all rubbed along quite well. The range of reponses is the whole point. But then, I suspect you already know this.

And again, any one of us could post details of abuse without outing ourselves. I could post details of my own experiences without revealing any details that would allow me to be put at risk. MN has threads on abortion, miscarriage, bereavement, accidents, illness, all sorts. What you're saying is that any fuckwit who thinks it's ok to bait, mock, trigger or offend posters who are brave - or desperate - enough to turn to the internet for help is a-ok because the suffering poster posts at their own risk. That's a shitty, shitty thing to say.

But then, I suspect you already know that.

thanks bibbity

scottishmummy else on lively threads there would be v limited posts - I think you are misunderstanding my use of derailers. I personally would never want a regular MNers posts deleted due to "derailing" - it is people coming here deliberately to cause trouble.

no victor dont paraphrase me erronoeusly and pass it off as you said dat

forkful there the rub its too subjective.one person trouble is not so for another.

my use of the term "derailers"

it is people coming here deliberately to cause trouble who are derailers and who I'd like banned.

scottishmummy - I would love to see some more positive contributions from you in the feminism section. I don't understand your posting style - and I find it strange that you are so interested in posting on the threads which are about how the feminism section runs it self rather than other ones. Whilst you claim to never remember posters names I recognise you as someone who has a full time job and planned childcare etc and comes from a long line of working females. Any chance you could start a thread about the long line of working females. I am really interested in how our upbringing effects our future life choices etc.

Pan, Beachcomber, Alys, forkful, all sorts of posters have said that a little stickied alert thread is a good idea because people might post about personal experiences and be upset by responses.

Your entire - and oft-repeated - response to this has been to say that 'personal' details are posted at the poster's own risk. Someone posts their experience of rape in a thread discussing precisely that and gets some areshole on their case? Saying 'you posted at your own risk' is a shitty thing to say.

Tell me where I'm paraphrasing and I'll stop it.

are you suggesting an inhouse style, a can say that here.i post as i wish,when i wish, on any topic i fancy.so certainly you can opine im not positive enough for you.and i of course will read it but wont give any undertaking that i make myself palatable to you

victor you're intent on being contrary and determined to demonstrably tell me of my shittiness as you call it.and you do this with long protarceted you said this,and that posts

in fact i think you'll find indeed,that the mnhq line isnt so different from mine

Beach: I've been following this thread with interest. I like the sticky idea; and, although I haven't seen it done anywhere else on MN, I don't see why we couldn't try it out here.

Since you mentioned the whole thing on the other thread yesterday I have been having a think. I'm not convinced a banner statement of the type in AIBU or Relationships wouldn't be a good idea. I came up with the following:

"This is a section which is used by many feminists. They will discuss your comments from a feminist perspective and criticise any misogyny or anti-women feeling they perceive. "

This avoids the whole FWS for/about feminism debate and also makes it clear that while many posters are feminists some are not. It also tries to explain to the uninitiated that what they perceive to be "normal every day views" might in fact be perceived as misogyny to others. I would also hope that it might also alert the any new feminist that they might expect to find some unfeminist points of view argued.

Obviously the whole banner idea has fallen from favour, but these sentences have taken me so long to come up with I feel I have to share them with you all, less I feel that I have been using my time unproductively.

I think it's more a case of trying to draw some meaning from your rather opaque posting style, scottishmummy.

No I am not suggesting an inhouse style.

I know you can post as you wish, when you wish, on any topic - that is practially the THEME of your posts.

I am sure that you will not give any undertaking to make yourself more "palatable" to me.

I think if you stopped talking in riddles we could all learn something from you.

I really really cannot literally cannot understand what you mean in most of your posts so I will retire from the thread to have a bath before settling down to Question Time!

above post to scottishmummy

Don't be obtuse. There's nothing in any of my posts, or this thread, to suggest an 'in-house style'. Just a thread that sums up the positions of feminist posters likely to be found here, and some of the non-feminist posters to be found here.

What is being asked for is a stickied thread that doesn't stop you from doing anything or posting here in any way you please. It's you, after all, who doesn't seem to think it's wrong that some people lack the basic humanity needed to respond kindly to the abuse of another human being. You're being totally accomodated. All this thread asks for is a stickied thread warning potential posters that this can, and does, happen on this board.

And everyone can carry on as they please. But maybe victims of rape or DV won't get shitty, shitty things said to them, because of the little warning. And then I don't have to read it and be triggered and upset.

ghastly suggestion of the they will challenge posts they dont like
my word what a sense of entitlement some would get from that,cant you see there is no definitive accepted parameters of what is feminism on fem topic. thas what all the aggro usually centres upon and the notion of other posters critique another woman's post to see if they are feminist enough and acceptable is galling

the pleasure of mn is the light touch moderation

forkful im not so arrogant as to presume people learn from me
and nor do i have to alter or modify posting style to accomodate whether or not someone gets it

So why keep posting here about how people should post, if you aren't being didactic? Why not just, er, post? It's all very metawotsit.