People Of Color Organize!’s editors have never shied away from difficult movement debates, and those who follow our posts know People Of Color Organize! gets its share of trolling. However, Feminist Friday disputes escalated quickly. As an editor, addressing these issues with our regular readers is something I feel necessary.
Our Challenge
With our first post, various comments devoted personal criticism to the author rather than the ideas presented, or as a substitute for refuting abolitionism or supporting prostitution. Somehow this site also became the epicenter for prostitutes of color, who also made comments about the author or made remarks privileging particular perspectives based on disagreements. Many of these comments were simply trashed for flaming.
Editors removed last week’s Feminist Friday post after a commenter, who the author alleges issued previous threats, violated the author’s privacy by posting what the commenter said was the author’s legal name.
Along the way there have been various ad hominem attacks of the website and its editors as well.
And this is all after two posts.
These reactions are not that surprising for those of us doing the daily work on the website for almost two years. We’re no strangers to the extremes — hate speech, stalkers and bigots — as well as the usual angry white people and derailing. And yes, the topics featured (prostitution and trans issues) inspire much debate.
Still, the aggressive, personalized tone of some comments sends a message that gender shouldn’t be an issue to post about.
The Update
After someone came here to carry on an alleged campaign against an author, editors briefly entertained ending Feminist Friday altogether. Ultimately though, ceasing efforts because of bullies doesn’t help anyone.
People Of Color Organize! presents ideas about movement strategy and tactics of, by and for communities of color. Communities of color include young, elder, female, male, African, indigenous and almost everything in between. We share writers of many races, genders, classes and politics with the trust that our readers are smart and can distill the essential elements, understand everyone comes from a bias of some sort and see the value in various writings in an effort to build with communities of color for radical social change.
Gender and feminism, especially the variety that takes on institutional oppression and understands our individual accountability for collective liberation, is a life-and-death matter about which communities of color should converse and get active around. Feminist Friday is one of many examinations.
It is not lost on editors that People Of Color Organize! has posted about dozens of controversial subjects, from the Naxalites in India to white racism in U.S. social justice struggles, and Feminist Friday is the first major instance so early on of people just not knowing how to act. We’re fixing that now.
Effective today, editors have issued a new Comments Policy to clarify what we’re looking for. In addition, we’re going to more strictly enforce the rules, as well as moderate and ban commenters who can’t stick to the rules.
Although it goes without saying, if you cannot or do not want to engage ideas, want to attack authors rather debate issues, etc., save everyone some time and go elsewhere. If we don’t do things the way you think we should, we encourage you to explore the constellation of feminist blogs that share many great articles daily.
A Callout
So, as Feminist Friday continues, People Of Color Organize! is on the lookout for new writing and recommendations.
Over the next few weeks, we’ll be introducing many, many fantastic new contributors — mostly young women of color and some others — and we want to feature you.
Are you a writer? Do you have a piece you would like us to feature? Use our Contact form to introduce yourself, send your writing and get in touch.
If you are uncomfortable making a comment recommending articles and authors, you are encouraged to use the same Contact form.
Editors are interested in reading a variety of perspectives on organizing, politics, gender, race, culture, identity and more. We are open to diverse perspectives.
Again, just write via our Contact form to submit your writing.
Thanks especially to our regular readers for their patience with the escalation and our efforts to maintain the safe space. If you see comments you are concerned about, please let us know. Thank you.
“Editors removed last week’s Feminist Friday post after a commenter, who the author alleges issued previous threats, violated the author’s privacy by posting what the commenter said was the author’s legal name.”
I look forward to your proof of this statement.
I’m very pleased to see you’re planning to post women talking about women’s issues, particularly with your stated careful protection of persons of colour right to speak here about persons of colour issues. Allowing males to tell us how feminism is done makes a mockery of the POC policy.
Hi! We don’t have a policy for authors on matters like allegations of harassment and resolved our part in it by removing the post and comment. We’re not even referencing the names of either. The author and commenter may wish to write about it elsewhere, but not here. The comment violated our guidelines anyway.
Very excited about many new pieces too! We’re doing our best to think how to connect these discussions with communities of color utilizing intelligent, interesting voices.
To clarify POC and policy, editors have posted nearly 900 articles in the last two years, and do not take the position that only people of color can write about race/racism/white supremacy/etc., although those voices get priority here. Some POC have said they feel drowned out by whites commenting in things like the Wise piece, 10 Conversations and other things, so we’re trying to be clear about creating a space where people of color can share, and understand the space is not a free speech zone where anything goes and whites can dominate the conversation.
That said, we have a lot of interest in Feminist Friday right now from young women writers of color, and will definitely stay on the grind to keep welcoming as many new and veteran women’s voices as we can! Suggestions always appreciated.
Hi! We don’t have a policy for authors on matters like allegations of harassment and resolved our part in it by removing the post and comment. We’re not even referencing the names of either.
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If I was on your masthead I’d speak to a lawyer about that.
As for your statement above re females and feminist issues, you haven’t shown that yet, ernesto. And every time a male makes a statement that should be coming from a female, this site loses credibility. What next? Whites in black makeup demanding POC status and getting it here?
If I haven’t made it perfectly clear, I’m calling “appropriation” here.
Although a Blackface reference (really?) is never okay, I understand your remark. We’ll confer as editors and readers about changing the name at some juncture, to avoid potential conflicts.
Sorry y’all have had to put up with such ridiculousness because this is a value place of dialogue.