Where are people going?

[F4lconF16]

I've been avoiding DU for months now for a variety of reasons, only checking in on occasion. Then I came back after a week without internet...and this is absolutely insane. This is not a place I really want to be anymore.

Where are people who leave here going? Are there AA boards, feminist boards, etc., that actually have good discussion? I've learned a lot from this group and others, but I don't feel like I'm learning much from DU anymore (well, lots from here, but that's mostly in response to the shit from the rest of this site).

If nobody has any suggestions, that's fine. I'm having more effect conversing in real life, but...I do love my politics, and most people don't like talking about it. So the internet is a good place to go.

[retrowire]

1. shrugs* i dunno.

I like it here just fine. I'm just here for Bernie, but I'm slowly getting to know other groups and I'm expanding my knowledge of politics in general.

[Warpy]

2. I spend most of my time hanging out on a board with a bunch of foul mouthed knitters.

I found that trashing GD-P and the single candidate groups helped overall civility here a lot.

The bullies are still very active and will be until the PTB start to track who is alerting--or have alerters identified.

The shitcan exists for a very good reason. Use it well and wisely.

[F4lconF16]

3. Tis not just what is being said.

It's also the structure of the site, the admins who clearly don't give a crap, and some of the more pernicious bullies here.

Trashing is good, and I have utilized it before...but when the people I respect continue to be forced to leave, I no longer want to be here either. I learn from them, it's why I've been here. If they're gone...this site only holds so much for me.

[brer cat]

4. A lot of us feel the same way.

The people we have grown to respect and love are being forced out or leaving in disgust, so why stay?

[emulatorloo]

5. I think Admins give a crap, but their old strategies aren't working.

IMHO They generally give the pernicious bullies enough leeway to out themselves to the rest of the community. Once they go too far, they get banned.

However I think they are gonna need to be more pro-active this time. As you say, way too many people I respect are being driven away.

[F4lconF16]

6. But too many of them aren't outed.

There's one guy I remember in particular, to be honest.

The whole system needs to be redone.

[emulatorloo]

9. I agree with you 100%

[Glassunion]

10. Agreed.

They last too long, alert stalk, and just have an air of asshole about them.

I do not speak freely here, as I'm positive that the result would be a time out or outright ban.

Democratic Underground: where casual racism, and censorship by jury reigns supreme.

[Tarheel_Dem]

7. Sorry, but I wouldn't wait for Admin to fix this. Hopefully, someone can pm you some suggestions.

[doxyluv13]

8. Pull quote from your post:

"I don't feel like I'm learning much from DU anymore."

The BLM threads seem to be mostly about who is allowed to speak and what they're allowed to say. Chickenshit "hides" and credentials-checking prevail over more informative discourse.

The Bernie Sanders people seem way more bent out of shape about the rally disruption than Bernie Sanders ever was.

The Clinton people seem to go to any lengths not to deal with her baggage despite the fact that others have been imprisoned for secrecy breaches seemingly similar to her handling of email, and that she's connect to half the scumbag foreign leaders thru Bill's foundation.

[lib87]

11. Facebook & Twitter

Black feminist groups on FB just for Black women, I follow Black people in the media on twitter for good discussions (Goldie taylor, Michael Eric Dyson, Charles m Blow, DeRay, ShaunKing, etc) and some websites.

This website needs better moderators who are active from the looks of it.

[1StrongBlackMan]

12. If/when I leave I'll be found in my local Democratic Office ...

doing the stuff that my detractors can only dream of doing.

[Jamaal510]

13. I've been posting more on

The Grio and The People's View lately.

[Number23]

14. Those are great sites. Lots of people also moved on to Jezebel and Wonkette too

Jezebel is more feminist/female focused but Wonkette is more political, like DU.

The Black Snob has been a great place too.

[Quayblue]

15. I'm staying for now

I'm pissed off at the fact that people here who speak up are juried out like the actual judicial system.

and I know there are a bunch of intelligent folks here; they may just be quiet like I tend to be.

shit is real now and I'm hanging in.

[OneGrassRoot]

16. Does anyone desire to have a safe, respectful space...

for ongoing discussion -- not just drive-by commentary to articles and such, or public message boards which, understandably, have a fairly hands-off approach regarding civility?

I do. I long for that space so much. And I created it, though haven't invited anyone there yet because after the mess of the last week, I can't tell if anyone I know really even wants such a space where all issues of racial, social and economic justice can be discussed in a civil way, where we can share our stories and not be attacked, etc.

It's a platform like Facebook but with a forum area, as well as space for private group discussions for when laying ourselves bear as we learn and listen to one another is more easily done in a private setting amongst small groups of people.

I'm feeling very alone in my desire to work through these issues rather than simply "move on." It's only going to keep festering, like a boil, if we don't engage in meaningful dialogue.



EDIT TO ADD: Not in place of other spaces like DU and The Grio, etc., but in addition to.

[F4lconF16]

17. I ache for one.

It's something I've been working on creating as well. I've learned a fair bit of HTML and CSS, and am working my way through PHP. Hopefully soon I'll know some mySQL. But the one I was planning was a fairly different idea.

Let me know if you want to start inviting people. I can't promise I'll have a lot to contribute, but...a safe place, open to new ideas and changing minds--that's what I've really been looking for. DU is great at times, but there's so much resistance to even the smallest change, and it turns into the mess we see now.

[OneGrassRoot]

18. I will, I'll message you. I feel like Kevin Costner...

If you build it, they will come.

lolol

It's actually been in existence for eight years; I've had it on hold for the last year until I can find a way to hire help. It became too overwhelming. I've always intended for it to be structured as a member- and worker-owned cooperative, and I'm still holding onto that vision.

Many DUers will remember Wishadoo; it helped quite a few DUers and I can see how it could be helpful again, given recent events. Wishadoo has the respectful space of which I speak.

The umbrella entity or portal is at Our Good; Wishadoo is but one of the projects now.

I'm revamping or I should say refocusing Wishadoo to be a racial, social and economic justice platform. In other words, people who stubbornly deny there is a need for any of those three won't feel at home; if people aren't knowledgeable and want to learn more, they are the ones I hope to reach. But disrespect will not be tolerated, nor will denying or diminishing the reality of the various injustices. Definitely no dehumanizing of any groups of people...including groups many liberals tend to demonize and dehumanize. People can hash things out in private groups if need be, but sustained incivility isn't something that will work there, publicly or privately.

I think our entire online culture needs transformation, and it begins with listening, civil dialogue and cultivation of trust, imho.

I was about 95% ready to relaunch when the Seattle thing happened and all hell broke loose a week ago, and I saw things in friends I had never seen before. It really threw me for a loop. Plus, I'm not sure I know many people who will agree to not dehumanize any groups of people. Criticize, sure; dehumanize, no.

I'm Ray Cinsella, feeling alone with what I've built and wondering if anyone will want to come...lolol.