Proposal to Amend DU TOS Language

[Starry Messenger]

This discussion thread is pinned.

The hosts of four groups on DU, Feminists Group, History of Feminism, Feminism and Diversity and Women's Rights have come together to ask for your input on the topic of sexist and misogynistic posts on DU and whether the language of the Terms of Service provide sufficient guidance on whether such posts are acceptable.

The Terms of Service on Democratic Underground are absent of any mention of sexism or misogyny directly. There is a prohibition of bigotry based on gender but we have seen that not all DUers interpret this language to include sexism and misogyny. We are advocating for these bigotries to be explicitly added to the Terms of Service on DU, to aid in our struggles to eliminate these bigotries from DU. We request your input and your support is critical. Spread the news and show your support here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/12565203

[Hassin Bin Sober]

2. Are you a tea-bagger? Nevermind - PPR'd

[Starry Messenger]

3. Geeze, I'd barely posted it and just came back!

[Sadiedog]

4. Maybe because it is not non-existant! nt

[Atman]

5. I'm banned because I commented honestly

Apparently, these groups are only for rubber-stamping. Mens' opinions aren't welcome unless they agree with the women.

[Starry Messenger]

6. Aren't you commenting in here, at this very moment?

I don't get your post. You aren't banned in here.

Globally, Groups have Statements of Purpose. If your posts run counter to the stated purpose of the project, you can be blocked. The big forums of DU are still available to all, however.

[msongs]

7. please list EXACTLY ALL the language that will be banned and

all the people who are designated to be the judges. thanks!

[Atman]

9. I believe it was History of Feminism

which blocked me.

[yardwork]

11. This is Feminism and Diversity. There are several other feminism groups.

I know that you aren't blocked from the Feminists group either, because we don't have anybody blocked from there. I'm one of the co-hosts. You are welcome to post there, as you are welcome to post here. As proven by the fact that you are posting here!

[Starry Messenger]

10. There is information at the link.

This would be adding language to the TOS. There is nothing in the proposal about banning words. Thank you.

[Permanut]

8. Very thoughtful post..

The world of DU has a synergy that I hold very valuable, because of the wealth of information found here, the general thread of sanity that runs through the community, and more important, the GENERAL value of respect that I see among members and our communications. There are exceptions, of course, and we have some very effective tools to deal with them.

Your proposal rings entirely coherent with the existing TOS and with our collective worldview. I base that statement on just the simple definitions of sexism and misogyny (I'll add misandry as a rider). If we say that sexism is the words or actions of a poster who fosters negative gender stereotypes, or that argues for superiority of one gender over another, and that misogyny/misandry consists of behavior or speech that displays or encourages hatred, dislike or mistrust of one gender by another, then your proposal serves to clarify one of the values we hold in this little community.

I would say that this clarification doesn't run counter to our current intent, but WOULD serve to help, say, a jury, in making a decision about a specific post/alert.

Just my two cents.

[Scott6113]

12. If you think it's necessary.

I think bigotry based on gender covers it. If someone posts something misogynist, I don't know if a clarification of the TOS serves as a deterrent, or will prevent an argument over deleting a post or blocking a member. Just do it.

You say "misandry as a rider" as though you must put in that equivalency for good form, but it is unimportant. I'm all but stopped posting at DU due to male bashing. Is male rape non-existent because female rape is more prevalent? Hate is hate, and some of the most hate-filled people I've known have been women regarding men. So, it isn't just a rider. I'm sure experiences vary and I'd like to think that I am as concerned about the problems, the disrespect, the dangers women face as the next person. I just don't want the other side forgotten, as though it either doesn't exist or is always justified.

[JudyM]

14. Just spotted this here. Whatever happened with it? The linked post is gone. Today I alerted

on a misogynistic post (used an anatomical negative euphemism) and, while it was ultimately removed, I wasn't sure it would be because male jurors might not have found it to be "bigotry/insensitivity"... we really need something like you suggest. Did it get anywhere?

[Starry Messenger]

15. No, our request was never acknowledged, unfortunately

[JudyM]

16. Maybe it's worth trying again? Might be more sensitivity to the issue now after the public outcry

and women's march.

[muhamed g]

17. rules

I think all rules on what you can post is a form of censorship.

[uppityperson]

18. Welcome to DU. Terms of Service were signed in order to post. There is a link at the bottom

of every page. DU does have posting guidelines, found there. There are lots of unmoderated forums on the internet, and ones like DU that have rules.https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=termsofservice

[Starry Messenger]

19. Then you are violating the terms of service of this website.

[Lunabell]

21. i vote yes