Dittany - where is she now?

[PlectrumElectrum]

Just reading a reference to dittany on another thread & was struck by the feeling that in the current climate she's sorely missed (by me, maybe others too). Did anyone know her IRL? I often wonder where she went, what she's doing now with her feminism. I'd love her to make a triumphant return!

I only lurked back in 'her day' and found her posts challenging (in a good way - made me stop & think & question my own in built ideas, prejudices, and a lifetime of female socialisation - I was a crap feminist, of the 'it's all been done, I don't have anything left to do but enjoy the freedoms already fought for) type. I'm still a million miles behind others but I'm trying to do better

So to you dittany, wherever you are now & thanks for jolting me out of my ignorant feminist slumber

I remember hiding the feminist board, along with the relationship board many years ago. One of the reasons was Dittany saying it how it is..

Got into a fight with SM many a time :D

I un-hid the boards when I was ready, and it changed my life and meant I finally escaped a very abusive relationship

Thumbwitch was a guiding light as well.

lass, that's not even vaguely true.

"The fem board went through a really bizarre time. I remember how vilified its prolific posters were, like they should be ashamed of being intelligent women."

I remember that well. It was what prompted me to name change to something that I hoped would identify me as a feminist wherever I posted on MN.

Dittany was brilliant in her way, but very much about the broad sweep of the argument rather than the verifiable data. The witchcraft documentary was one example, but I seem to remember her being also less than fact-based on the subject of female vs male murder victims and cervical screening. I err on the other side, which is why she was never my idol, but it was great to have someone putting that specific point of view so clearly and determinedly without any fluff. Likewise Xenia and the “go out and earn real money”. You wouldn’t want a board entirely full of her but it’s a point that needs making in a world that’s so often socialised the other way.

The Xenia fan club arrives!

Sorry to derail and also sorry that I can't do links. Just wanted to let people know there's a thread on aibu, title Is the nhs deliberately making people (mostly women) sick. Shows how uk women are suffering, it's shocking! Sorry again for the interruption.

I miss dittany too. Along with Beachcomber and Buffy and others whose names I'm now too sleepy to recall. I do remember ElephantsAndMiasmas. And LRD of course.

I've only ever posted a handful of times in this area, but I've read a lot of interesting debate here.

Dittany was fucking amazing. Her posts used to make me furious & not quite know why.

She took absolutely no prisoners! My arse was handed to me a couple of times under previous usernames. Usually on matters which I squirm about now because she was right.

Even when I'd still disagree with her now - she was terrifyingly incisive & completely changed my thinking, every time.

Also - I once got absolutely piled on on a thread about my then childminder, who i loved & wanted to help, who had LTB abusive husband, & wtf I should do to manage the considerable risk of CM being pressurised by family to let the bastard return.

Everyone said get rid of the CM - yep, fair enough - as it happened I decided not to, & 8 years on she's happily still bastard free, dc & I are still in touch & it's generally been a happy ending all round.

On that thread, Dittany was a massively sympathetic voice - I don't think she agreed with my actions but she could not have been more understanding about my dilemma - support CM despite doubts or take dc away leaving CM with no financial independence so more likely to return to bastard?.

It was a nasty business (in real life; being shouted at by MN was least of my worries at the time! ).

I haven't forgotten. She was just brilliant.

Inspired to namechange back to my name when FWR board was first set up.

Meant to say, dittany was definitely commenting on trans issues back in 2010 (maybe earlier?), and being criticised (not by everyone) for her views. But I agree that I don't think it was the reason she left in the end.

Such a shame dittany's posts have all gone.

I remember you tabolueh.

You're fab, and one of the reasons I kept coming back despite having my arse handed to me by Dittany.

I joined in 2008 and remember seeing Dittany’s name a lot, but I wasn’t interested in feminism at the time. I looked for her posts when I “woke up” a few years ago and was gutted to see they had gone. I’ve never posted much but I read furiously, and Mumsnet is responsible 100% for my eyes being opened, with Buffy, LRD, Datun, and many many other patient and intelligent posters.

It’s not just the issues relating to queer theory and gender politics, but I’ve also learned the fundamentals of feminist theory. It’s completely opened my eyes.

Xenophile

Mags, it definitely didn't happen

LRDtheFeministDragon

lass, that's not even vaguely true

Buffy posting under 2 names and replying to herself most definitely did happen. Obviously I can't find the thread as she asked for all her threads to be deleted.

I mean all her posts to be deleted, not just threads she started. It definitely happened. I admit I didn't like her and was very amused when it happened.

Aah, thanks Xenophile - it's lovely to be remembered.

I've just been advance searching myself and gosh I put in a lot of MNing hours in 2010.. and it's a great trip down memory lane.

Maybe we need a "From the FWR archives thread".

I do wish there was some more varied discussions here rather than just discussion of the trans issues. Don't get me wrong I think it's vitally important that they are discussed in FWR it's just that I'd like to hope that a new generation of MNers can be inspired to learn and share about women's issues and I think it's ironic that our important space here is being crowded out (mirroring RL?).

Lass, quite simply I have never seen you be nice to anybody

Lass was slightly-not-unsupportive to me one time on a thread a couple of months back And I enjoy her posts, even if I don’t always agree with them.

The birth of Mumsnet FWR??

And I enjoy her posts, even if I don’t always agree with them.

Same here.

“Oh God yes! Thread after thread of posters moaning that the feminist board was too harsh and/or too intellectual.”

Hmm. So exactly the same as it is now?

Im not intellectual and sometimes take the piss by referring to various posters as smarty pants but I love it! You guys are my favourite kind of smarty pants.

Lass is more clear sighted and “sound” on prostitution and porn than many self proclaimed feminists.

I found it a bit dry and academic a couple of years back, but no longer.

Has the world changed or have I changed?

"From the FWR archives thread".

I'm here for this - this should be a thing here. Once a week, ye olde feminist thread resurrected for re-education purposes. Pinned. With access to the rest of FWR blocked until each thread has been read end to end. Dittany's threads were meant for this, I'm sure tech could reanimate them somehow?

Xenophile

Lass, I have no clue why you're lying on this thread, but enough of us who were here at the time know the truth, so knock your fine self out

I am not lying. Buffy did not leave because or after the outing but it definitely happened. It wasn't a serious case but she was posting under 2 names. She admitted it herself.