Hostility

[Canadian_watcher]

I'm getting a lot of flak. Is this normal?

[barracuda]

Lemme think about that. Hmmm.

Why, yes. Yes it is.

But don't worry - there will be love and thanks as a consolation.

[Canadian_watcher]

ok.. well.. that's good news?
I just don't want my mere presence to be a disruptive force, I'd rather leave than have that. But if it's just your run of the mill hostility that happens to all mods, then I guess that ok.

* I use the words "good" and "ok" loosely.

[barracuda]

As a bonus to the acceptance of the mod position, in the eyes of some of the members, you have now transformed into "The Man", and as such, are now a symbol of oppression and censorship against which they have no choice but to either distrust or surrender and become TEH SHEEPLE.

Congratulations.

[Canadian_watcher]

As a bonus to the acceptance of the mod position, in the eyes of some of the members, you have now transformed into "The Man", and as such, are now a symbol of oppression and censorship against which they have no choice but to either distrust or surrender and become TEH SHEEPLE.

Congratulations.

especially since I am a woman defending the new guidelines, which if I learned anything from the misogyny thread is terrifying and the root of all hate.

edit: to avoid confusion I should have used some green in there

[Jeff]

Sorry to see that, C_w. I've posted an intervention in the rules announcement thread.

[Canadian_watcher]

thanks Jeff. for the cartoon, too.
hopefully this:
will be over soon.

[Canadian_watcher]

Jeff,
I don't like the way this is playing out. It seems that a handful of prolific posters feel that there's "a new level of toxicity & intolerance" on the board that just happens to coincide with my being made a mod. They aren't courageous enough to speak plainly about it, but that's the strong message I'm getting. They hold me (maybe symbolically) responsible for the guideline which they see as fascist and impinging on their free speech and by extension they hold me responsible for the departure of Stephen Morgan, who now is becoming some sort of cult hero/martyr to the cause. The cause seems to be the freedom to trample on women without having to answer for it.

I'm feeling hamstrung and ganged up on. Mostly though, I'm realizing that I just do not want to be a part of a community that has within it so many whining, grasping, small minded sexists.

Why would I put myself through this? I quit my paying job because I couldn't stand the environment, and now I have to resign as mod from this place.

Sorry. I'm generally a very happy person, but I do struggle with anxiety/depression and this is not good for me.

[Jeff]

I'm very sorry, C_w. You don't deserve the treatment you received.

I'll be posting in the thread shortly. More later.

[barracuda]

I hope I haven't contributed to the tensions, Canadian. Believe me when I tell you that I have taken an incredible amount of shit here for supporting the causes associated with women's issues here over the years. It isn't you.

However! You, as a mod and experienced poster, have several tactics at your disposal for mitigating the antagonisms if you want. One of which is simply to back away from conversations you find in some way disagreeable, and merely watch for a while. I realise it's your thread - do as you wish - but I've learned that at times a cultivated sense of detachment comes in hhandy. If you're feisty like me, it takes some practice.

All in all, you've been a giant on that difficult thread, lady.

[Canadian_watcher]

don't worry about it guys.. it is what it is. Neither of you have contributed although leading the (m)organ fan club wasn't that cool, imho.

it's life for chicks. you'll never be able to really feel it. that's not a slam.. it's just what I've come to accept after 40 years of life on planet earth. Still, it hurts, and I don't want to antagonize it into being on here when all I want is peace.

[Jeff]

C_w, I'm sorry I haven't had time yet to remove you from the moderator roll. If you haven't changed your mind I'll take care of that by this evening. And I hope, even if we've lost you as a moderator, we haven't lost you as a contributor.

And like Jack said:

This was a ridiculous theater made out of C_w's volunteering to do a thankless garbage control job that actually has only minimal authority and the severity of the reaction is obviously attributable in part to pavlovian conditioning against even the simplest avowals of feminism without apologies. Also, completely imagined ego-bruising.

[Canadian_watcher]

I haven't changed my mind. No rush though.. I'll try and hold myself back from editing every post I don't like .. he he, j/k.

I will likely continue as a contributor.