I am an Outsider...as in Not a Regular

[ScreamingMeemie]

This discussion thread was locked by Neoma (a host of the Feminists group).

And I think that term, "not a regular" bothers me the most while reading through this whole thing. Yes, I am here and some of you will post that I shouldn't be because I'm "not a regular". I am a woman. A woman who battles right alongside you...even here, on DU. I have made it a mission of sorts to bring understanding in the male dominated "Sports" forum here (you can ask sea, and even trumad, for "creds" on that if you need to). But I don't post here. Because here can be just like the worst day in the "Sports" forum.

It's mean here, and unwelcoming. I used to participate on DU2 but stopped after the great shaving war. We aren't supposed to be nasty to each other, or demand credentials when disagreeing. We're supposed to attempt (and hopefully succeed) to bring understanding to the causes that affect women today.

What this "Outsider" sees happening here, is two sides accusing each other of the same thing: abuse of privilege (I'm not going to say power because it isn't power, it's privilege) while being unable to see it in themselves. This has quickly devolved into a bully fest. Public call outs, accusations etc...

I know this from my own experience (confession time), that whenever a board is set up outside of another board to discuss the members and activity within the board it doesn't end well. I've done it. It's never been positive. It doesn't make it okay to share the goings on of that board with non-members, but what does one expect? Subterfuge begets subterfuge. Neither is acceptable behavior.

In my opinion, which a good deal of you will possibly throw right into the trashed thread files, a good start would be no hosts. Because, for this girl, and not meaning to hurt anyone's feelings, I don't really trust any of you who are battling for host positions. I think good intentions have given way to hanging in for the wrong reasons. I also know that there are more of you than the handful of players who are battling right now. Perhaps it is time for fresh keyboards.

A lot of attention is being focused on this group right now. Use it for good. Bring attention to things like Virginia's state sanctioned rape of women. I would like to be a participant here some time. It could be a great place. As long as you promise not to call me a "member" or a "regular". It's too inclusive and (as we have seen) divisive.