When did this board become a "safe space"?

[OmiOmy]

Long time poster here, name changed.

I've recently seen this board as being described as a "space space"? This has happened a few

Wikipedia says The term safe space refers to places "intended to be free of bias, conflict, criticism, or potentially threatening actions, ideas, or conversations".

Well, going by that, it's hardly a safe space, is it? We have robust discussions here that are rarely seen on other parts of the internet.

I don't know, I feel cross and disheartened to hear the term "safe space" being ascribed to this board as if we're too fragile to cope. Ugh.

Instead I would describe this board as broadly supportive, wouldn't you?

When I've seen it used it's been for new posters who want to discuss GC views they're privately beginning to develop, because they can't in real life.

I think this probably is one of the few 'safe' places to do that, although the term generally gives me the absolute ick.

It's safe in the sense that a plurality of views are tolerated. I've been booted out of Facebook groups for a single post that went against the TWAW orthodoxy.

It's a 'safe space' for discussion/debate.

Where asking questions and using critical thinking skills won't have you called childish names and where your account won't be instantly banned for stating the truth.

I find the term ‘safe space’ to be a real issue. It used to have meaning, like most words did, but is now rendered meaningless through it being overextended to
now mean a place where someone won’t disagree with you.

Who wants to live in a world where people don’t or won’t disagree? Blimey. It would be awful.

However, there is a difference between disagreeing and coming to shame people who think differently. Of course there is.

The nuance really could be that here people can disagree and not be banned for just disagreeing (as opposed to personal attacks, negative generalisations , etc) . In that sense, yes this is safe.

And you don’t generally get death threat tweets or gifs depicting violence here.

I’m here a LOT and haven’t seen anyone talk about FWR being a safe space

not saying it hasn’t happened, just saying it’s probably not an established view, as it’s very possible to be a regular here and not have come across that

and it depends on your definition of safe dunnit?

psychologically safe maybe?

The Genderists say Mumsnet is a haven of wicked Terfery

Yes, I agree with all this.

I think my thing is that I have a visceral reaction to the term, similar to when I hear "be kind".

I was told yesterday by long standing posters that a post I made showing support for a male detransistioner made this board unsafe and could isolate some women as this should be a men free space.

I think that should be the board's byline.

I think “safe space” is being used in lieu of “echo chamber”.

The original meaning of 'safe space' was a place people could talk openly about contentious ideas without judgement or censoring.

Pretty much the opposite of that wiki definition.

Yes, but like many words and terms, the meaning has changed over time. It's implication is different now. It's used to shut down discussion.

crossstitchqueen I saw that thread and partly triggered this thread, actually.

I don't want this thread to be TAAT but I didn't agree with the term being used. I think there's a difference between "safe space" and supportive and protective. I think the posters were being the latter, but you posted in good faith, without knowing what had happened.

If it’s the situation I’m thinking of, that chap had been pushing women’s boundaries and not accepting no for an answer, right?

support such men if you like, but don’t expect that to be unchallenged on a feminist talk board

Omi I don't want this to be a TAAT either but I felt bullied and wasn't aware that this was a "safe space" in the sense that you cannot mention anything positive about men.
I find that sad as if that's the rule then this board will quickly become an echo chamber which would be such a loss.

If it’s the situation I’m thinking of, that chap had been pushing women’s boundaries and not accepting no for an answer, right?

support such men if you like, but don’t expect that to be unchallenged on a feminist talk board

But I wasn't aware of that. I made it clear I was not on Twitter and had no idea of the spat he had with a mn poster. I was showing support for the LGBA pod cast.

Ps, I don’t approve of the term ‘safe space’ at all

I support the right of any and all posters to dance attendance on various men (glinner, Stephanie Hayden and so on) and I support the right of me to roll my eyes and ask them why they’re actively making a fuss of men on a feminist talk board. Men have pretty much the whole rest of the internet where people indulge themselves instinct to always centre men

Here? Or do you mean, generally?!

Fair enough

male pattern behaviour so often wins out, eh?

male pattern behaviour so often wins out, eh?

What do you mean?

Not accusing you of being a man!

I meant the chap in question who had previously been role playing as a woman.

So far, no one seems to like the term "safe space".

I wasn't keen on the term "safe space" to begin with but having had it used to chastise and belittle me I like it even less.

I really don't want your thread to be deleted Omi so will not discuss my thread any further.

If it’s the situation I’m thinking of, that chap had been pushing women’s boundaries and not accepting no for an answer, right?

I believe so.

It’s a naff expression but I took it to mean “you don’t have to self-censor here”

As opposed to the rest of the internet where you get banned for saying TWANW?