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 .

Sunny here SaF - can't say where though, as then I will have to get it deleted.

we do ask you to post respectfully - or, if you can't, just to ignore those you can't post respectful replies to

x-post beach. Thanks for the "sorry if you were hurt"

jesus, this is so childish. Backing out of feminist board and happy to leave you all to it - the drama and angst is just too much! Enjoy!

Beachcomber - yes, I think it is time for the Biting Beaver story.

Feminists disagreeing = just as bad as trolling and cyberstalking and written abuse."
Blimey, really?

The only logical conclusion to this position is to find a private space for feminists, as lots of ppl hv suggested.

we do ask you to post respectfully - or, if you can't, just to ignore those you can't post respectful replies to

oh don't be hysterical CP - it's only some woman stalked and hounded off the internet by mra trolls tracking her down in real life and making threats against her life - she should stop being so paranoid

no mustn't give away any personal details or apparently it's your own fault if you get stalked in real life for being so naive BC.

isn't it interesting some people join the thread just as an mra is mentioned and an mra site linked to in order to speak up for them?

AF really is lost to feminism - had a message - can't say i blame her and would just like to say she does sterling work all over mn defending and helpin women in shitty situations despite the grief she's always getting for it. she definitely has a backbone and has had for years and yet she finds the idea of this kind of targeting off putting enough to change her posting habits and avoid a whole section.

Interested to know whether the people who think people are being childish and dramatic haven't clicked on the MRA site links, or have and just don't give a fuck.

sorry - not lost to feminism obviously just to the feminism board.

Sorry, that doesn't make sense. I meant, for 'one's own kind of feminist'.

I hadn't seen the Bobsbanana link on Misandry. I suppose there's no way to be sure it's the same guy not a sick little 'homage' to him?

It is really nasty, isn't it.

FWIW, I too enjoy productive feminist disagreement. But I think the 'please fuck off and let us have the sandpit' posts are childish, sorry. You (pl) may not intend to come across that way, but you do.

Are you off walking somewhere beach? It's lovely here, really bright and sunny.

we had bright and sunny here yesterday and now you buggers have nicked it!

No not out walking - busy constructing a bunker to discuss things like not shaving one's legs in.

Just on a break.

Sorry!

hey, we ALL have backbone and we ALL help women in shitty situations. i hardly think that AF is the only person on MN doing that. (no offence AF).

of course i would be happier if we could all just get along. [milquetoast]

these threads you are linking to are really yuck btw... what i don't understand, though, is what's to be done. i doubt that HQ could keep on top of deletions tbh. maybe 'hide poster' just on this board?

I have to say that what happened to Biting Beaver and some of the links posted here have really freaked me out. I have really backed off FWR recently so I haven't been targeted but it made me feel sick when I read that forum.

I think BobBanana is probably the same person - it's a bit of a coincidence isn't it? And posting style is v similar.

Yes we have sunshine here today too :)

You gotta LRD.

I looked at the MRA site, and I assume most of the views are fom MN.

It looks like one poster posting, not really an army of MRA trolls is it?

I think there are probably only two or three. But you only need one stalker to make life a misery and very scary

ElderberrySyrup I don't think anyone has doubted that such behaviour is absolutely vile. It certainly meets the MN "beyond the pale/not in the spirit of the site criterion. This is surely a point of consensus?

aitch - I don't think anyone meant you don't help women, or AF is the only person who does. It's certainly not true.

I don't think it makes sense to hope to 'get along' with people like the posters in those links - really? How?!

Anyways, that bunker: can we put it in reach of the Christmas topic, Chat, AIBU and Brave Babes? It's just that contrary to popular opinion, I do come on MN for quite a lot more than just the feminism and it'd be kind of pointless if we couldn't reach everything else we normally post on ...

Whew.

Glad you say so, Huan, Cala. It is a relatively small number of trollish wankers, who need banning. We're agreed now?

gawd that mra stuff is just creepy.

Beachcomber, send me a forwarding address to the bunker. I've watched this thread unfold with increasing despair, especially site management's rather sidestepping response to concerns. I know it's not easy to deal with "deliberate, provocative derailing activity" on an open discussion board unless you have 24/7 moderation. But, there are steps that can be taken - like having clear "ground rules" (i.e. a suggested statement on the door of the room,) having a hide poster feature and taking more robust action when posts are reported.

I've only been on here a couple of months and only joined because of the interesting dialogue in this room. There are so few spaces on 'tinterwebs to discuss feminism safely and anonymously that this is a place I found really valuable. The attacks show just how threatened MRAs feel by women discussing things that don't put men at the top of the tree. Would be sad if the managed to silence even more voices with their bullying tactics, but it wouldn't be the first time.