Courage Calls to Courage Everywhere

[Uhohmummy]

As a long time lurker I want to post a positive message of thanks to the amazing women (and men) of FWR who have opened my eyes to so many important issues. The fight for women’s rights can be exhausting and there are so many brick walls but just by talking about these issues you are making a difference. I suspect there are many like me who don’t often post on here but take on board a lot of what is discussed and use it to spread the message in our own lives, educating our children, donating where we can, etc. Please keep going. And thanks.

I totally agree about female socialisation and the hesitancy when speaking up. Can you imagine a group of men holding back when talking about issues they felt were important to them? I too have decided I need to be braver and speak up, even if it's simply to show my agreement of something that's already been said. It's clear there are many of us here, let's make our presence known!

@picklemewalnuts

I second the encouragement to speak up!

That said, some bad faith actors post in the hope of distracting our energy, engaging us and wearing us down, with the added bonus of getting some juicy screenshots if someone gets cross and speaks bluntly! The Banbury threads are a good support when that is happening.

I'd encourage you to join in discussions, but stay away from orchestrated bun fights- it's usually easy to see the difference, though sometimes people work hard to derail a sensible discussion and start a bunfight.

Yeah, you tend to notice a spike in goady threads every now and then, almost like it's an orchestrated thing (school holidays maybe?).

Although sometimes it's hard to know when it's genuinely someone trying to understand the issues, or the deliberate 'but what's the big deal' types who just want to get a rise out of people.

Fortunately, they flounce fairly quickly, calling us all meanies on the way out.

@zzizzer

If it was effectively six posters then MNHQ would have shut this section down a long time ago.

I reckon they've done enough analysis on site traffic, repeat visits, and posting history to know that FWR membership is significant for Mumsnet.

If there was a way I could pay for premium anonymously then I would. As it is, even though I'm grateful for this platform, I don't trust them enough with my personal details like that. All it needs is another Emma intern and it would all be downloaded and used.

I'm learning a lot here and thinking I should maybe get Premium as this is such a rare place. Do they collect more data for Premium then @zzizzer ?

Please post, lurkers (if you want)! I seem to be lacking in female socialisation on this score (perhaps am non-binary?!) and merrily post away despite having no expert knowledge, or real feminist credentials. I figure it's good for ordinary women to be joining the conversation, asking questions and sharing their thoughts. It shows this isn't a niche or abstract issue.

I think as well, women who aren't familiar with the language restrictions on FWR get an extra shot of 'wake up and smell the coffee' when they see deletions in action. If a newer poster states the bleeding obvious, or asks a naive question, both she and any lurkers will see demonstrate live and in technicolour that women's words are censored, that the word woman is being redefined out of existence, that women are under siege.

In fact it's extra ironic that GC women are accused of denying the existence of transwomen, when it's TW who deny the existence of women.

Another lurker here, thank you all . I am very bad at posting on social media in general but I read most of the threads here and I've learnt so much.

Although sometimes it's hard to know when it's genuinely someone trying to understand the issues, or the deliberate 'but what's the big deal' types who just want to get a rise out of people.

It's pretty obvious when it starts and ends on Twitter.

@TheChampagneGalop

I thought it was just me but surely that's just female socialisation in action? I doubt many men ever think "Oh I'm not going to comment on this because I'm not clever enough and don't have enough grounding in the subject matter"

Exactly!! I hope more lurkers feel encouraged to post!

As I get older I think I’m losing that side of my female socialisation - I am caring less about criticism and becoming more confident in my views.

Even when I get deleted I know it’s not because I am nasty - I don’t wish bad things for anyone. However, the more I see women’s rights and protections being threatened and undermined the more I will try and prevent it.

This is such an invaluable forum for discussing the issues - some involve such a fundamental shift in thinking that it’s hard to get your head around.

to all the amazing FWR! It’s lovely to hear from the lurkers.

I agree

Forgot to post on this thread at the time - read most of it, loved it, meant to post but life got in the way - another mainly Lurker here who is extremely grateful to all the regular posters here for opening my eyes. Since my “high-altitude mountain experience” , I have followed regularly and got involved where I can - I have never written so many letters as the last couple of years! Discovered the joys of gardening also. Thank you, for all that you do 💜🤍💚

Fab, Chips! Same, my political representatives have never had so much post! This is how we've made change - letters, chalk and ribbons. In tge face of smears, lies, threats and fury.

Thanks choos. From those of us who can't write, yet. (Disabilities, fatigue)

Must find a garden ...

Another lurker piping up to agree what a valuable place this is. I've done digging and talking (not enough, it's never enough) in real life but am not articulate enough to post regularly. I'm the quiet one in the corner of the pub, nodding along and being grateful to be included, whilst not saying much but being more than happy to get the drinks in for the clever people!

I'm wondering whether to wear my new badge this weekend. Am visiting family who are mired in TRA ideology.. I don't want a big argument but I do want them to know I'm not in agreement.

It's quite difficult as it involves my brother who has a history of MH issues and I think they just want to support him.

I just think they haven't thought it all through and would love a calm discussion.

This thread title may just give me the courage to pin my colours as it were...

Love it. I may now be the proud owner of a few suffragette badges myself which will be having an outing soon.

I found a good selection on Etsy