Fighting racism among nudists
A couple of African-Americans on TN have complained to me that they get harassed by racist trolls and TN doesn't police it. I personally get a lot of spam messages which are a hassle but not hateful. Website managers aside, how can we better speak out against racism on TN? Is it subtle in public but nasty when no one's looking? I realize that I'm naive in exploring - mostly out of naivete - but I care and am glad to make a difference. Please share your insight. Thanks.
I also get lots of spam messages, but they are annoying rather than trolling. I guess it's an example of me not being aware of the hassles some guys from other cultures are subjected to. Being a middle class, middle aged white guy, I'm sure I fit into the majority.
Even just being aware of the hassles others sometimes get, can help me to understand and, I hope, help to reduce discrimination. Thanks for pointing it out to us.
While we all need to be able to ignore the trolls who hide behind their computer mouses, anything we can do to help actually get rid of them is a step in the right direction.
I agree with your assessment and mentioned that to the individuals. The issue is that the accounts are fake spam accounts but instead of forwarding porn website links, they are making derogatory racist messages. I trust that they are telling the truth and are genuinely hurt by this, and have also offered to respond to any racism in a posted thread. Their complaint is more that the website operators don't respond and delete these accounts, which makes the site seem hostile to them. I agree since spammer and fake profiles also have a long shelf life.
Several years ago I was working with a colleague from Sweden whose father was African. He was arrested and jailed for "driving while black" in Washington, DC. Since our work was related to the Swedish Embassy, their lawyer was able to quickly resolve the matter. However I was shocked by the blatant racism evident, and also clear that I was completely unaware of it as a white man. Since then I give the benefit of the doubt to people of color or other minorities and am ready to speak up. The best I can do for increasing diversity, I believe, is to be both aware of discrimination and how my majority male privilege can easily make me oblivious to it.
Something I learned from managing the diversity and inclusion group in my workplace 15 years ago, when corporate America was just beginning to explore and embrace the concept of D&I:
Sadly, racism continues to exist in our society. While most of it is intentional, occasionally it is not. Well-meaning people can say things that are inappropriate or offensive, without meaning to do so. This can be a learning experience. How one chooses to deal with a hateful comment directed to them is their own business, whether they choose to ignore it or call it out. However, when something offensive is unintentionally said the person who is hurt or offended by that remark should use that as an opportunity, usually in a private message, to educate the potentially well-meaning person on the nature of their comment. Thanking them for trying but also pointing out that the comment could have negative implications. The tough part of course is determining if it was unintentional or not. Hope this makes sense.
Thanks for posing the question. The problem is that a lot of the racism isn't even recognized. We all have bias, but some of us are unaware of our bias/racist thoughts/feelings. I see this all the time on apps, in the media, etc. An example would be white people getting praised 10 times more...10000 times more for the same thing a Black person does. It could also be similar body types and the "likes" white men and womxn receive versus their Black counterpart. A lot of what we experience isn't necessarily the kind of racism people tend to think of. There are a lot of microaggressions happening, and racism isn't just an individual thing but systematic. It's also assumptions and sexualizing Black men. As it relates to the web site/apps, I have had to leave certain servers due to the harassment...this could be for instance, "this photo is inappropriate" when their white friends have posted similar or even more of what would be deemed inappropriate. And this doesn't go to say that other Blacks don't get a pass, but if you're not in their bit** club, you won't. Sorry not sorry...can't be bothered with kissing up.
Something I learned from managing the diversity and inclusion group in my workplace 15 years ago, when corporate America was just beginning to explore and embrace the concept of D&I:
I wonder if you think your learnings can be applied in the naturist community?
Thanks for posing the question. The problem is that a lot of the racism isn't even recognized. We all have bias, but some of us are unaware of our bias/racist thoughts/feelings. I see this all the time on apps, in the media, etc.
Insightful comment. It is something that some in nudist community dont want to admit exists. Those people tend to discount the idea that nudists have any biases at all while siding with those who are like then. For example not accepting the experience and opinions of black people the same way as others. Black people are often expected to asssimilate to fit in. Rather than appreciating the differences as positive.
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