Thank you, FWR & Mumsnet

[DomesticatedZombie]

for showing me how to argue, how to recognise various logical fallacies, how to not gaf whether someone thinks I'm 'nice' or not, for encouraging me to ask questions, seek evidence, consider alternative views, look at a broader picture while also taking into account the fine detail, for getting involved in politics both nationally and locally, for helping so many women leave violent or abusive relationships, for providing a place for women to discuss, show solidarity, connect, organise, argue, disagree, share stories, make jokes, hone their debate skills, flex their critical thinking, learn about feminism, broaden my expectations, challenge my assumptions and swear creatively.

I am also thankful to this board. I've struggled with my self confidence and my self worth my whole life. It's still a work In progress and will be forever but it's helped me recognise behaviours which aren't right, made me realise that I don't have to constantly appease men. It's been hard, when I think back amd realise the danger I have put myself in in the past trying to prove that men just wouldn't do that. That it's safe nothing will happen etc. Now I know it's OK to actually reflect on male.behaviour , and to realise that actually I don't owe them anything. Least of all.my body.

Its made me think of things I never did befire. Amd some of it is hard. And in.some ways I was probably happier not looking at situations like that, but I feel better equipped now.

I mo longer feel like I'm.on my own.with the way I think and feel. That there's nothing wrong with me.

Sometimes it feels like it cost me everything. My relationship did not survive. And perhaps would have if I hadn't realised what was going on at times. But I'm.happier without it. And I'm armed for next time.

I cant thank the women on here enough

I am very appreciative of all the very knowledgeable posters on FWR and some of those who are no longer here but their posts still echo throughout. It was only after finding FWR that I was able to calm the dissonance. Because before being constantly challenged, constantly able to re-evaluate my thoughts and ideas, I could not understand why everything seemed to be based on such faulty foundations.

to you all.

for Zombie for starting this thread - early I know but only marginally.

Lovely post OP. Despite all the threats, the doxxing, the hate and misogyny aimed at Justine and MNHQ, Mumsnet has held the line and allowed women to speak. I know there've been casualties and I don't always agree with their decisions, but I recognise they've had a tricky situation to navigate and have done what few organisations have managed to do in the face of the onslaught - stood by women.

Listening to the pusillanimous Starmer umming and burbling his way round saying "biology matters" shows how extreme the control is on so many.

Thank you to all the women on here and MNHQ .

scully, you have a great ability to shed insightful light on issues from different angles that I find really helpful in expanding an issue and seeing it from fresh viewpoints. It makes me angry that you'd ever undervalue yourself. Wishing you more strength, peace and joy.

Helleofabore I'll stash that for later, thanks very much.

Thanks zombie funnily enough my favourite lessons in school where the ones where we got to debate everything and anything. This board makes me feel like I have that back in some ways. Its a god send when you spend alot of time.on your own.or with children. Also makes it very easy to realise the failings in many of the discussions. How when we were all 12 and 13 that we could argue points without threats if violence etc. How we often all felt differently but were able to articulate why. Have an actual argument and facts at the ready. And how there seem to be adults unable to do this and who rely on.threats and mob mentality

My foot lives in my mouth most the time but this is probably the education in life that I have been lacking for 41 years!

I second all these emotions. Thank you, MN and all who sail in her for helping navigate these stormy seas. Or some better metaphor.

Oh yes, all of that.

Started on the relationships board which does one hell of a lot of teaching women about such things, and a natural segue over to this one.

The joy of being part of a multi-age community of females, you learn so very much from them.

I like the idea of MN as a boat. Bit leaky, no doubt. And with some sadly overboard.

Hear hear
I've sometimes wished I never discovered MN, because it's such a huge time sucker for me. But actually, I wouldn't be quite the same person I am today without the education this board has given me.

As someone who has lurked and learned for a long time and only recently signed up, I would also like to express my thanks to mumsnet and all the wonderful women here. I certainly feel much less alone. Thank you.

Another one thankful for this space. I’ve lurked for a long time, and now I have the confidence to express myself. Thankyou all

@Fairislefandango

Hear hear I've sometimes wished I never discovered MN, because it's such a huge time sucker for me. But actually, I wouldn't be quite the same person I am today without the education this board has given me.

I feel your pain.

Great thread @DomesticatedZombie

I was actually deep in the more of leftist woke thought a few years ago.
I even had AGP friends who I did enough mental loops for, to excuse their fucked upness. Seriously, I'm a lawyer, I'm kinda proud of how I managed such a me Tal exercise.
Mumsnet helped me fight my way out of the cult. Because make no mistake, that is what it is.
I'm eternally grateful and will also raise a glass. It's Friday. It's early. I don't give a fuck.

I am a huge fan of what MN has done for women's rights, and when I say MN I mean the legions of women that post on here, sometimes angrily, but most often eloquently and with real courage and integrity. I don't always agree with everything on the FWR boards, but I hugely appreciate the way it has helped me think critically about what is being done to women and girls under the cover of 'diversity' and 'inclusion'.

Yes, absolutely, Vargas. It has taught me to respect differences of opinion - when they're offered in good faith.

This often blocked, ridiculed and underestimated area of the internet is in fact an absolute power house.

I learned so much here. So many savvy and intelligent women here.

Thank you Justine.

This often blocked, ridiculed and underestimated area of the internet is in fact an absolute power house.

Amen to that.

I've learned a lot on FWR/MN. It's been so useful for writing letters and asking good questions of my MP, who has engaged with me and I think does agree with our concerns. I'd never have really known just how big a problem this all was without MN. I'd have seen some of it but I wouldn't have joined dots like how it's appeared in sports and on MH wards.

I'm grateful for Justine and MNHQ for keeping this board going. It's telling that the swipes are as devoid of evidence as they are sexist and plain nasty. It's all they have. Which means we must be doing something right.

@DomesticatedZombie

I like the idea of MN as a boat. Bit leaky, no doubt. And with some sadly overboard.

I wonder who is in the brig?

@DomesticatedZombie

I like the idea of MN as a boat. Bit leaky, no doubt. And with some sadly overboard.

With the sight of land on the horizon.

Another thanks from me too. I lurked for years before posting. A lot of the things happening weren't making sense to me and the brilliant women on here put those thoughts in to words.

I too am truly thankful for MN. I've laughed, I've cried, sometimes with sadness or rage but also happy tears.

It is the only place to be free to discuss many matters and receive judgement helpful replies and knowledge.

I have been a strident feminist since a young age after witnessing my Dad be so rude and ungrateful to my mum who had spent hours making a Sunday roast dinner for him. I couldn't understand why she didn't throw it in his lap as I would have done.

I challenged the sexist policy in my office of no trouser suits for women in 1998 (ffs) and won.

I always felt quite alone in my beliefs until I discovered MN, so once again THANK YOU.

Thank you for letting women speak, @JustineMumsnet , I don't agree with every moderation decision ever made but I realise it's hard and a balance needs to be kept.

Mumsnet is an amazing, supportive community for women.

For all I may moan about the extra rules on this board and some of the moderating decisions, I am actually really thankful to Justine and all at MNHQ for allowing us to actually have discussions and debate. The easy option for them would have been to shut down any debate as other sites have done so thanks and kudos to Justine for holding what has been at times a very difficult line. Know that you were right to do so Justine as times are now proving.

It is, and I hope as all these issues come more into public view Mumsnet gets some more appreciation for all that it does and has done. Failing appreciation, maybe just fucking off and leaving us alone would be nice another opportunity for women to learn how to stand firm in the face of slander, misrepresentation, bad-faith attacks and gaslighting.

I was on MN for a while before finding FWR. I had been watching celebrity big brother and thinking, what the actual fuck. Year of the woman my arse.

I couldn't put into words what pissed me off about it and found an active thread discussing it. Been here ever since.

I am sweary and often rant but I no longer give any fucks, especially when the men turn up and chastise us for not womaning properly. They just give me an outlet for my peri menopausal rage.

They despise MN because everywhere else panders to their bullshit. They know we can see the truth behind their lies. We see the motivations. We burst their bubble.

I have reached the point where I will not compromise. A woman is an adult human female. End of. No debate.

I'd like to thank MN and especially Justine. They've let women speak, and allowed us space to raise our collective consciousness, educate, and question each other. All six of us and our socks

Ditto the OP, and I apologise to all of you whom I've bored to death with the same questions over and over