Should a separate group for BlackLivesMatter be created under the Activism Topic? (poll)

[TexasTowelie]

Last edited Sun Aug 30, 2015, 09:10 AM - Edit history (2)

I submitted a question in the Ask the Administrators forum recently due to the large number of posts on this subject since there is an overlap with the political candidates in the General Discussion: Primaries forum. See thread: http://www.democraticunderground.com/12598487

In addition, there might be occasions when threads from other forums such as GD, Good Reads or LBN would be redirected to this proposed group by the forum hosts.

The response from Skinner was to obtain opinions from the members of this group as to whether it would be duplicative of the efforts of this group.

My initial thoughts for this group are that it would allow everyone to discuss the BLM movement, both pro and con, within the general rules of civility followed on DU. Discussion could also touch upon other topics such as the political stances of the primary candidates; news about events associated with the movement including future events, reports on events that occurred, and livestreams of rallies in progress; and, even some borderline meta issues that would not necessarily be appropriate in other forums or groups. The group would be open to all DU members.

Please note that I am going to make this a simple Yes/No poll and that if a member votes for either choice it should not be inferred that the member either for or against the BLM movement since there are reasons (some for which I am aware and some for which I am not aware) to vote on either side. Anyone who wishes to elaborate can post a reply separate from the poll.

In addition, suggestions for the SOP of the proposed group are also welcome.

Finally, a few thousand posts ago I made a post that was callous and inappropriate about the BLM movement in the Lounge that I originally thought was humorous. When another member pointed out my error I self-deleted my post, apologized for my mistake and I apologize again. I am far from perfect and though I am willing to serve as a forum host (to offer diversity among the hosts), if anyone objects they can inform me in this thread or by PM and I will remove myself from consideration.

Thank you for your vote and any comments that you wish to leave.

ETA: It appears that the consensus of the group is that they do not want a separate group formed for BLM and I will respect the wishes of this group. I do understand that in the eyes of most people it would probably create more problems than it would solve so I will not pursue this with the administrators. I appreciate everyone's opinion and please know that I made the suggestion with the best intentions.

Peace and good luck with achieving your goals!

TxT



Should a separate group for BlackLivesMatter be created under the Activism Topic?

6 votes, 0 passes | Time left: Unlimited
	Yes
	0 (0%)
	No
	6 (100%)
	0 DU members did not wish to select any of the options provided.
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[JustAnotherGen]

1. Suggestion

If you proceed - make sure you drop down the names of who voted.

Also make sure they are regular posters (number23 and I can help with that) in this group.


I fear people will be chomping at the bit to attack BLM so it's not likely I would participate in such a group.

[TexasTowelie]

2. I planned on doing so, knowing that some of the votes for "yes" could intend to

(for lack of a better word) segregate and attack those that support the movement (regardless of race). In a few days I'll check the list and see if any of the names are blocked from the AA Group or with dubious motives.

I certainly don't want the group to become an area where some members monopolize the group to constantly malign, ridicule and attack the BLM movement; however, constructive criticism should be considered if it helps accomplishes the goals of the BLM movement. If a member has posts hidden repeatedly or has consistently objectionable behavior then the hosts can decide whether to ban that member from the group.

Thanks for voting and your suggestion.

[Number23]

11. As usual, I should have just read what you'd written and typed "+1"

Because as usual, we are on the same page.

My explanation below explains a bit more but at the end of the day, the quality of DU comments about #BLM are running about neck and neck with the caliber of comments about it on Yahoo! and other less savory sections of the Internet ((*cough* FREE REPUBLIC *cough* *cough*)) so I don't see any point in discussing something so vital and important with these people.

They are less likely to insult, demean and slime #BLM in this forum, and with good reason. I think it should stay that way.

[freshwest]

19. I feel it would erase BLM from the major forums like a step-child.

I can hear what I've heard brought up before to stifle discussion or post in GD:

'Go back to the BOG.' *

'Go back to HOF.' *

Then it would be:

'Go back to BLM.'

IOW, shut up, 'this is our place,' * don't bother us with YOUR stuff...

*Yes, I've read those.

JMHO.

[KMOD]

3. I am just a visitor of this group as I enjoy reading the posts here,

So I'm can only speak for myself and my two cents should be taken as such.

With the DNC set to vote on a Resolution supporting Black Lives Matter, and with it becoming clear that it will be part of Democrats platform of issues, as well as a much needed conversation, I would not like to see Black Lives Matter posts removed from the main forums.

Also people who may be against the Black Lives Matter movement and the one's who need to hear their message the most.

Again, I just wanted to add my personal opinion. The opinions of the group members here should be the deciding factor.

[lovemydog]

12. +1

[Starry Messenger]

4. My concern is that when Black Lives Matters stories break

That DUers who, shall we say, are a little hostile to the movement, will use the having of a separate group as an excuse to derail threads in the main forums with demands that the discussion be dusted away to a subgroup. Putting it mildly.

[TexasTowelie]

6. Unfortunately that is already happening to a certain extent.

Particularly after the Sandra Bland shooting the discussions among the forum hosts became a mixture of is this about BLM or a particular primary candidate. The threads lamenting the suspension of various members also crossed into is this about BLM or is it meta to show support for someone who has been suspended or banned.

I wanted to advance a suggestion to provide more consistency among the hosts and not to diminish the cause. I am willing to wait a few more days to check the votes since it is the weekend. I do not have any desire to force an outcome, particularly when there are people active in the cause who are willing to tolerate or be satisfied with the status quo as it stands on DU..

Thanks fro weighing into the discussion.

[Starry Messenger]

8. Well, large group hosting is always going to have that as a challenge.

It is never going to be that consistant because the Admins have said that they prefer to keep things vague. That extends into many other subjects too, not just this one. My .02

[rbrnmw]

5. I changed my vote because

I agree all the usual suspects will show up and try to take over and torpedo it.

[TexasTowelie]

7. Fair enough

and I know that could be a possibility. I think that it is possible for any activism group to have its detractors.

[Cheese Sandwich]

9. I would subscribe and post to it. But it shouldn't be used to keep topics out of the bigger forums.

It could be good resource for people interested in news and talk of the movement. But it should not be used as a way to silence the discussions in the bigger forums like General Discussions. These discussions deserve front page attention, not to be redirected into a less visible place.

Also as we all probably know, Black Lives Matter is actually the name of an organization, but the hashtag #BlackLivesMatter is more widely used.

If you wanted to avoid exact copying one group's name you could choose a different name. For example the group could be called Grassroots Civil Rights Activism. Or maybe Criminal Justice Reform. Or Criminal Justice Reform and Police Accountability. Even though I know those are not exactly the same thing.

For the SOP you could just go with something like:

Discuss news and issues related to the modern civil rights movement, police accountability, criminal justice reform and prison reform.

[Number23]

10. I appreciate your excitement and enthusiam and PLEASE know that it is shared by many

But DU has long since stopped being a place for intelligent discussion of important issues. The quality of discourse here would do nothing but sully #BLM imho and certainly wouldn't do it justice. A recent OP in another forum high fiving Ben Carson (BEN CARSON ) for slamming #BLM is nothing but proof of that.

The AA forum is just about the only forum here that still allows reasonable, informed discussion that is actually based in reality instead of pie in the sky wishful thinking based on ignorance and stupidity. Maybe five years ago, I'd think that a #BLM forum here on DU would be a great idea. But in its current stage, I think the issue is best discussed right here in this forum.

[lovemydog]

13. +1

[JustAnotherGen]

14. The alerters

And the PMs about how topics on it if the AfAm group should be locked as off topic and sop.

[Number23]

16. I was dying laughing when a certain group had an OP with hundreds of recs (of course) about how

SOP alerts from non-members of that forum would go ignored. And of course the whole thread was about how "wrong" it was for non-members of that group to alert on OPs within that group (when they weren't placating each other and wiping away each other's tears over such an important topic).

I laughed so hard. Particularly when I went back into My Inbox and saw the number of alerts from members of THAT forum who are not in any way shape or form members of THIS forum but still felt the compelling need to alert on OPs in THIS forum.

So yeah, all of that (the PM's, the alerts and the general overall "duhness" and hypocritical garbage that consumes DU now) combined makes me believe that a Black Lives Matter forum on Democratic Underground would probably not be a good idea. Just let that sink in for a second.

Given the current environment brought on by a lack of admin attention, an over-abundance of trolls and a biased damn near useless jury system, a Black Lives Matter forum on Democratic Underground would not be a good idea. The admins must be ecstatic.

[JustAnotherGen]

17. I have a few groups trashed

So I missed that. Yeah - te alerting on SOP in this group is not cool.

[Lisa D]

20. +1

[gollygee]

15. I'm afraid it would turn into

something pretty ugly.

[lib87]

18. After reading the Responses, it Makes Sense to Not Make a Separate Group

It would have been nice to have a separate little corner of DU just to read about BLM but DU is not ready.