salinea: (Default)
Etrangere ([personal profile] salinea) wrote2009-01-20 05:45 pm
Entry tags:

An update on the Ran's board situation

First,
I've been pointed out that one of my paragraph in the post I had pasted from the thread could be read as implying that I thought the death of Jews, in the Shoah, as somehow more important than the current suffering and death of the Palestinian people, when I said it was not a genocide, and as a result dismissing their plight. I wrote this line because this claim (calling what Palestinians suffer a genocide) is something I have heard a few times, and indeed, I've seen someone make this comparison in another thread at the board. However I was not my intent to dismiss the Palestinians' suffering and horrid current plight and I apologize for writing something which could be read that way. I have bow retracted (via striking it out) of my previous post.
Another person commented addressing this paragraph to say that while it was not a genocide, it was in effect ethnic cleansing. I am not educated and knowledgeable enough to address that comment with the seriousness it deserves, which I'm sorry for. But I thought you guys should be made aware at this objection to my post.

Second,
My one day suspension having ended, I sent a PM to Ran telling him that I thought I deserved an explainion

This is his answer, and my own answer to him.


I believe I did explain, precisely, why Elrostar's post wasn't removed. I also suggested that it would be good to discuss it in that thread or via PM.

If you mean your other thread, you were using to indirectly attack other boarders ("racist idiots" is obviously referring to Elrostar, at the least) and then, when I closed (but did not delete, you'll note) it because of this, you then sent a spurious report making a mendacious claim. Hence the suspension.


I'll tell you how I see what happened. You can make of that what you want. I'll be leaving the board after that.

Elrostar made one comment which follows a trend which I can't call anything but Anti-semitic. I've seen other people on this board made those kind comments, and I have seen it since. Since threads on the subject of Israel and Gaza had a history of going too heated very easily, and since I don't believe whatever comment I could make would be listened to (It's not like I don't have a history of my comments being dismissed out of hand because people see me as too Jewish biased), I chose the least wank-inducing option which was to report it.

Your answer to my report obviously showed that you had no clue why I saw this as anti-semitic. You even compared this to attacks against the United States, as if Americans had a history of being an oppressed minorities for a big part of History; or as if Americans had been the victim of Nazi genocide - not comparable in the slightest. So I tried to explain it to you.

Your answer to my explanation was something which I interpreted as : this anti-Semitism you and all Jews of the board suffer from is none of my business as an admin or as a mod. Handle it on your own.

This I found outraging and deeply upsetting.

When I wrote the new thread (a new thread because I didn't want to thread jack the other thread, and a public thread rather than PM because Elrostar is only one of the person likely to make that sorts of comment, and I don't particularly want to enter the business of sending all of these people a PM every time they say something outrageous); I was quite angry, yet I tried the best possible job at explaining why it is anti-Semitic and how comparison of Israel and Jews to Nazi has a history of being used as hate speech against Jews; and also why I think it is the responsibility of the overall community (id est: you, the mods, and other boarders) to not turn a blind eye to that kind of hate speech when it happens (Something which I believe when other kinds of offensive comments against minorities and women are done, I assure you!).

You answer to that was to 1/ close the thread 2/ delete one of my comment.
In other word, after telling me that I was on my own to defend myself and my people from anti-Semitic comments; you actually took the step of silencing me when I was trying to do just that.

You didn't bother to explain to me why you took this step. You never engaged with any of my arguments at any point. You just said it was "obvious". Well not to me.

This I found to be disgusting and hypocritical. I called you out on it via the report tool (because I like irony). That you were, in effect and whether you are aware of it or not, protecting hate speech on our board, and preventing people from calling it for what it was.

Then you suspended me, showing your utter unwillingness to consider your own ignorance and prejudices.

You now give me the flimsiest of explanation, about the deletion of that one last comment, that "racist idiots" is an attack on a boarder.
In this sentence there is one word which is, indeed, name calling and an attack

It is the word "idiot".

Calling someone a racist is no an attack. It is not name calling. It is not an insult. It is not a slur.

Insults are words and sentences expressed for the sole purpose of humiliating, aggravating, demeaning and dismissing other people.

Calling someone a racist (or calling them a sexist, a misogynistic, a homophobic, an ableist, a transphobic etc.) is a tool a way to name the oppression and aggression that discriminated people suffer from - and it's often their only tool.

It can, of course, be used incorrectly, and it can, indeed, be pretty upsetting to suffer as an accusation. But it's an important and essential tool to keep in the hands of people who suffer discriminations.

If you remove that tool from their hand, you are, in effect and whether you are aware of it or not, condoning their oppression.

Now, you might be thinking by this point that I am a Drama Queen, and that I am exaggerating and posing myself as a victim.

But newsflash for you : anti-Semitism exist. Anti-Semitism did not suddenly disappear after WW2. Anti-Semitism has been perpetrated by a wide variety of populations, not only the Germans under the Third Reich. Anti-Semitic attacks are happening right now, in Europe, where I live, and elsewhere. And I have suffered, personally from anti-Semitism, subtle and blatant. I've been called a dirty Jew.

So yeah, when I see something that I see an anti-Semitic remark, I see it as an attack against me, and against my people.

It doesn't need to be an anti-Semitic against all Jews. A remark that is racist in nature whether it targets all people of the minority or only those which are "uppity" or too loud or annoying right now to the racist person is still a racist remark.

I cannot tell you how disappointed and disgusted with you I am right now, but judging from your previous behaviour, I have little chance to receive an apology.

So good bye.

Third,
There are maybe some people reading this who are puzzled and confused about this, because the first post I made on the subject was flocked. Given that a lot of people commented there knowing it was flocked, I would rather not unlock it. So, sorry for the confusion

Fourth,
There are maybe some people, especially other boarders, who are disagreeing with me deeply about this in general. I want to tell you that I prefer a thousand time for someone to tell me fair and square that they disagree with me, than for them to be bashing me in private under a flock post. Seriously few things make me feel more betrayed.

I'm leaving the board now. I spent a lot of good times there, and I'm sorry to abandon all the people there I enjoyed discussing with, but I don't think I can enjoy myself there anymore.

And that's it for this subject.

[identity profile] silanah.livejournal.com 2009-01-20 04:55 pm (UTC)(link)
I didn't respond to your other post because I don't have enough knowledge of the subject of Israel-Palestine and I think it behooves us to treat a situation like this with as much sensitivity as we can muster.

In any case, I'm sorry that you are leaving the board; I think it will be the poorer for it. You were one of the very few posters that were able to conduct a political discussion with sensitivity, intelligence and grace. You don't have a reputation for name calling and I've always enjoyed reading your posts whether I've agreed with them or not.

It is sad that it's come to this after all these long years but over the last few months I think you are not alone. Glad I still get to 'see' you here.

N

ext_2023: (dance with me)

[identity profile] etrangere.livejournal.com 2009-01-21 12:53 pm (UTC)(link)
Thank you so much for the compliments #^_^# I'm pretty sure I didn't always make the best of job when it came to the subject Israel-Palestine, though XD

I also always appreciated you posts for their grace and eloquence, so as you as I'm happy to be able to enjoy your company on LJ :)

[identity profile] catrionamacnair.livejournal.com 2009-01-20 05:17 pm (UTC)(link)
What Nat said. *nods*

Good you'll stay here. I'd profundly miss reading your entries.
ext_2023: (sibling love)

[identity profile] etrangere.livejournal.com 2009-01-21 12:53 pm (UTC)(link)
Thank you ♥

[identity profile] zoeiona.livejournal.com 2009-01-20 05:24 pm (UTC)(link)
That's... unfortunate. Best of everything, and I too am glad I will see you around on Lj.
ext_2023: (kisses)

[identity profile] etrangere.livejournal.com 2009-01-21 12:55 pm (UTC)(link)
There's one good thing out of all this mess: I checked my PM so I read back the thread where you told me which LJ name you used, which, believe it or not, I had completely forgotten due to my overall stupidity and scatter brain-ness when it comes to names x_x; you were always one of the boarder whose posts I enjoyed the sensibility, sensitivity and eloquence best, so I'm glad to still be able to enjoy you on LJ :D

[identity profile] metzhead.livejournal.com 2009-01-20 06:11 pm (UTC)(link)
given my eventual return, I'll miss you then.

I was going to say I haven't seen any acts of anti semitism here in a long time, but then I remembered the guy I saw in Mesa with a big ol swastika on his sweatshirt. fucking redneck.

peace, love; peace, love
peace, love, and a hard cock. ;)
ext_2023: (lol)

[identity profile] etrangere.livejournal.com 2009-01-21 12:56 pm (UTC)(link)
I was going to say I haven't seen any acts of anti semitism here in a long time, but then I remembered the guy I saw in Mesa with a big ol swastika on his sweatshirt. fucking redneck.
Ah fuck. Those things never die :(

peace, love; peace, love
peace, love, and a hard cock. ;)

ROFL

[identity profile] ydub.livejournal.com 2009-01-20 06:23 pm (UTC)(link)
Again, you'll be missed.

I think its completely fair to say that the moderating at Ran's has been pretty shitty for over a year now. Yeah I know you mods will read this, but fuck all if I care. Its true.

I mean think about all the old-timers who dont come around anymore, especially the Euros. Something's got to be a bit fucked if they dont even enjoy what was once a cool place to hang out and rap with peeps.

But whatever, dont want to derail Stranger's entry. I guess I'll have to log onto LJ a bit more now then. Damn you people!
ext_2023: (Default)

[identity profile] etrangere.livejournal.com 2009-01-21 01:00 pm (UTC)(link)
Thank you ydub.

I had never realised that the moderating was bad. I mean, I realised that over the years various people felt this way, but I never knew exactly why, and I never felt personally bothered.

I'm not sure all old timers don't come because of that kind of reasons (I mean lots of people just drift away, get bored, etc.); but it's true lots of people feel that it is too offensive a place, where all kinds of sexist and racist comments can be said without being challenged. Seriously the board has a horrid reputation among the ASOIAF fans on LJ - I used to defend it, but, well...

I guess I'll have to log onto LJ a bit more now then. Damn you people!
HAHAHA See you on LJ ♥

[identity profile] miss-sand.livejournal.com 2009-01-20 06:35 pm (UTC)(link)
Je ne comprends pas bien pourquoi tu t'acharnes à intervenir sur des discussions qui visiblement te font beaucoup de mal... C'est probablement aussi bien que tu prennes tes distances quelques temps. J'espère qu'il n'est pas trop tard et que les blessures ne sont pas trop profondes.

Ah part ça, 15% des Israëliens (c'est-à-dire possédant la nationalité israëlienne) sont des Palestiniens (19% si on inclut Jérusalem Est), si tu cherches à démonter l'argument de l'"ethnic cleansing". Ce sont tout simplement les personnes (et leurs descendants) qui n'ont pas souhaité quitter le territoire quand l'Etat d'Israël a été créé. On n'a fichu personne dehors !

For English-readers : 15% of Israëli are Palestinians, 19% if including east-Jerusalem (almost one personn out of five !). So much for the ethnic cleansing ! They are people that didn't want to leave when Israël was created, they've got the israelian nationality.
ext_2023: (fairytale)

[identity profile] etrangere.livejournal.com 2009-01-21 01:05 pm (UTC)(link)
Je ne comprends pas bien pourquoi tu t'acharnes à intervenir sur des discussions qui visiblement te font beaucoup de mal...
Chais pas, ça doit être ma personnality. Ou alors c'est parceque même quand tu évites ces sujets, ils viennent te chercher.

Je pense que cette personne est probablement consciente de l'existence des Arabes Israeliens. Je ne sais pas quel est l'argumentaire derrière cette accusation, mais elle pouvait probablement se référer au faits qu'il y a également du racisme et des discriminations contre mes Arabes Israeliens; ou tout simplement parler des segments de la population Israelienne qui veulent complètement empêcher l'existence d'un état Palestinien par tous les moyens. En fait, je ne sais pas ce que c'est que la définition technique d'un nettoyage ethnique, donc c'est un peu dur d'en discuter.

(no subject)

[identity profile] miss-sand.livejournal.com - 2009-01-21 14:01 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[identity profile] eefster.livejournal.com - 2009-01-21 16:12 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[identity profile] miss-sand.livejournal.com - 2009-01-22 10:56 (UTC) - Expand

[identity profile] alanashinean.livejournal.com 2009-01-20 06:39 pm (UTC)(link)
I don't know you well, but I have always respected your posts on Ran's, and admired a lot of things you've said in other people's LJs. Its a damn shame you are leaving, but I completely understand. Wishing you all the best!
ext_2023: (kisses)

[identity profile] etrangere.livejournal.com 2009-01-21 01:06 pm (UTC)(link)
Thank you for your compliments and understanding :) Wish you all the best as well!

[identity profile] zollo-the-fat.livejournal.com 2009-01-20 06:46 pm (UTC)(link)
Damn, you leave for a few days and this goes down...

Haven't actually read it all so I am not even sure who is right / wrong / something inbetween, but I am sorry to see you go, oh Euro of the first hour. At least you'll still be kicking about LJ, driving me insane with dragon entries :p
ext_2023: (chagall)

[identity profile] etrangere.livejournal.com 2009-01-21 01:59 pm (UTC)(link)
Yeah, we'll always have LJ :)

[identity profile] werthead.livejournal.com 2009-01-20 07:07 pm (UTC)(link)
As I've said elsewhere, I'm sorry you are leaving the board but I do understand your reasons for doing so. I've seen people say things and start threads far more offensive than anything you did on the board and not receive any reprimand, and I do not understand Ran's rationale at all in this matter.

I hope we can stay in touch on LJ, and I hope you'll still consider coming out to BwB Euro meets (which have pretty much stopped being about the books or the board anyway) in the future. Ran never attends those anyway :-)

[identity profile] williamjm.livejournal.com 2009-01-20 08:14 pm (UTC)(link)
I hope you'll still consider coming out to BwB Euro meets (which have pretty much stopped being about the books or the board anyway)

There was a time when the meets were about the books? I'm not sure I remember that ;)

I'll second what Wert said, you are of course still welcome to come along to any of the Euro BWB meets - you wouldn't be the first to attend after they've stopped posting.

(no subject)

[identity profile] etrangere.livejournal.com - 2009-01-21 14:22 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[identity profile] etrangere.livejournal.com - 2009-01-21 14:11 (UTC) - Expand

[identity profile] peadarog.livejournal.com 2009-01-20 07:11 pm (UTC)(link)
I'll be sorry to see you leave, but if it raises your blood pressure so much, you'll be much happier. Best of luck, and see you on lj.
ext_2023: (fairytale)

[identity profile] etrangere.livejournal.com 2009-01-21 12:18 am (UTC)(link)
Yeah, I do think it's all about the enjoyment threshold :) Thank you, you too ^^

[identity profile] after-nightfall.livejournal.com 2009-01-20 08:11 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm sorry to hear that you've been disappointed, but not that I don't understand you. The board will be poorer without you.
ext_2023: (chagall)

[identity profile] etrangere.livejournal.com 2009-01-21 02:22 pm (UTC)(link)
*hugs* thank you.
ext_6866: (Sigh.  Monet.)

[identity profile] sistermagpie.livejournal.com 2009-01-20 08:23 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm not familiar with the board but reading both posts you were imo justified.
ext_2023: (chagall)

[identity profile] etrangere.livejournal.com 2009-01-21 12:17 am (UTC)(link)
Thank you.

[identity profile] lacyintx.livejournal.com 2009-01-20 08:30 pm (UTC)(link)
I don't post/visit the boards much outside of Entertainment and Game of Thrones threads, so I don't follow the political discussions. I am sorry you need to leave there, but I am very glad that you will still be here. :)
ext_2023: (hugs)

[identity profile] etrangere.livejournal.com 2009-01-21 12:17 am (UTC)(link)
I'm also happy we can chat with each others on LJ :)

[identity profile] serscot.livejournal.com 2009-01-20 09:24 pm (UTC)(link)
Stranger,

I'm very sorry to see you go. Now that I have the full story I understand your decision more clearly. I still don't want you to leave but you've got to do what you've got to do.
ext_2023: (asoiaf)

[identity profile] etrangere.livejournal.com 2009-01-21 02:26 pm (UTC)(link)
Thank you Ser Scot. You'll definitly one of the person I'll miss, I always liked your attitude about politeness and respecting people. And defending religions from the bashers :( Best wishes for the future.

(no subject)

[identity profile] serscot.livejournal.com - 2009-01-21 14:28 (UTC) - Expand

[identity profile] blanchemains.livejournal.com 2009-01-20 09:34 pm (UTC)(link)
I am very happy to see that you have an LJ! How did I not know that until today?

I hardly ever post on the board anymore, and I had been wondering if it was that I just don't like some of the newer people, but truly that's not it. I used to feel that there I was talking among friends and had a pretty good idea who was reading my posts. But the board has gotten very big and, frankly, I find myself editing everything I say there. It's one thing to state one's position diplomatically out of respect for one's friends, but entirely another to write something that will be viewed by hundreds and maybe thousands of people we don't know. In that respect, LJ is better.

Iseult

ext_2023: (fairytale)

[identity profile] etrangere.livejournal.com 2009-01-21 02:27 pm (UTC)(link)
I am very happy to see that you have an LJ! How did I not know that until today?
lol good stuff among the mess, heh ^^

haha, even in 2001 I thought the board was so big I could keep track of who was who. But yeah, I'm pretty sure it got worse :)
LJ has a lot of advantage in term of privacy protection. What I like best is the control I've got on my space.

[identity profile] mandyly1977.livejournal.com 2009-01-20 09:58 pm (UTC)(link)
I will be happy to still read your Lj. I don't have much use for Gen chat anymore for this and other reasons as well.
ext_2023: (kisses)

[identity profile] etrangere.livejournal.com 2009-01-21 12:12 am (UTC)(link)
I'm also glad to still see you on LJ! :)

[identity profile] a-white-rain.livejournal.com 2009-01-20 10:04 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm sorry you have to leave because of a reason like this.
ext_2023: (sibling love)

[identity profile] etrangere.livejournal.com 2009-01-21 12:10 am (UTC)(link)
thank you sweetie *hugs*

[identity profile] thebadlady.livejournal.com 2009-01-20 10:15 pm (UTC)(link)
I am sorry the board is losing another old timer, and an articulate, intelligent, well-spoken, and generally awesome one at that.
ext_2023: (hugs)

[identity profile] etrangere.livejournal.com 2009-01-21 12:09 am (UTC)(link)
Thank you for the compliments, I always immensely appreciated your posts ♥

[identity profile] violaswamp.livejournal.com 2009-01-20 10:22 pm (UTC)(link)
That's unfortunate, but I understand your reasons. Am glad LJ is my fandom base of operations and not that board for this reason.
ext_2023: (kisses)

[identity profile] etrangere.livejournal.com 2009-01-21 12:08 am (UTC)(link)
I now understood this way of thinking fully, yes.

[identity profile] beniowa79.livejournal.com 2009-01-20 10:40 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm very sorry to see you go. The board will be a much poorer place without you.
ext_2023: (Default)

[identity profile] etrangere.livejournal.com 2009-01-21 02:29 pm (UTC)(link)
Thank you beniowa :)

edited for stupid mismanagement in reading mails ^^
Edited 2009-01-21 14:31 (UTC)

[identity profile] podrick.livejournal.com 2009-01-20 11:05 pm (UTC)(link)
I posted on the goodbye thread already but just giving you a wave here also. :)

I have posted on threads about Israel and Palestine before. And I probably will again someday but it struck me a few years ago that I don't have a real connection with the country (besides a 7 day visit 10 years ago) and equating my knowledge/experience on the subject to someone who has a proper connection with the country is rather difficult.

The fact is, people are more reluctant to take advice from "foreigners" because they know that the person doesn't have the knowledge/experience to properly judge the situation. And when somebody deems to judge anyhow (even with the best of intentions), one can feel patronised at. Even when one agrees with a viewpoint from such a person, its not quite the same because does this person fully understand the viewpoint they are expounding on? When I criticise people in my country, I still understand the proper context of it. And that context is important. It adds shades.

We live in a world where we can get a lot of information about any subject. Yet that access to information has consequences. Its impossible to say for sure who is right or wrong. Sometimes there is an advantage to seeing things from afar. But its hard to discuss something intimate with a person who sees things from a distance.

This post ended up not been directed at you really. Just started to muse on a subject i've been thinking about before. :)
ext_2023: (fairytale)

[identity profile] etrangere.livejournal.com 2009-01-21 02:34 pm (UTC)(link)
I really appreciate your thoughts on the subject, and your sensitivity to how tough those kinds of discussions and advices can be. That's indeed the kind of awareness I wish more people had in those discussions (or which, sometimes, I struggle myself to have >_>;)

*waves as well* You should post more on LJ! :)
ext_2023: (Default)

[identity profile] etrangere.livejournal.com 2009-01-21 12:02 am (UTC)(link)
*hugs back* Thank you :)
ext_41216: Snoopy & Woodstock (Default)

[identity profile] scriva.livejournal.com 2009-01-20 11:44 pm (UTC)(link)
As the others said, I'm very sorry to see you leave, and I'm going to miss you. However, I can understand your decision. Your reply to Ran shows very clearly why you are so hurt by the situation.

ext_2023: (chagall)

[identity profile] etrangere.livejournal.com 2009-01-21 12:07 am (UTC)(link)
Hopefully we'll see each other lots on LJ ♥

Yeah, I was pretty hurt.

[identity profile] babylibra7.livejournal.com 2009-01-21 12:42 am (UTC)(link)
I just got to see this now. I'm so sorry you're leaving, and even sorrier (eh, more sorry) that it's to do with this. I understand your frustration. My father is Jewish, and although I am not (raised Catholic - the best of both worlds aha), I have had anti-Semitic remarks made to me, and know the hurt and wounds they cause. The whole situation is very confusing for me as an American mutt because I'm also part Lebanese, and was raised around a primarily Lebanese family (moreso my mother's side than my father's).

I don't know why I went into this, I guess I just wanted to give you a little insight into why I avoid those threads.

I'm glad you're keeping LJ and your fanwank posts alive, though.

Hugs and kisses.

-Sarah
ext_2023: (kisses)

[identity profile] etrangere.livejournal.com 2009-01-21 02:37 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh, thank you *hugs and kisses* and thank you for sharing your own PoV on this; that sounds like it puts you in a very difficult situation, especially given how this particular conflict tends to rely on partisanship :( I'm sorry that you suffered anti-semitic remarks too.

I probably should have avoided those threads as well :( guess I couldn't resist.

I'm glad I'll keep seeing you on LJ too! :) (lol my fanwank post?)

[identity profile] stegoking.livejournal.com 2009-01-21 03:38 am (UTC)(link)
Wait, wait.....WHAT DO YOU MEAN, "EXCEPT FOR STEGO?!?!"
ext_2023: (lol)

[identity profile] etrangere.livejournal.com 2009-01-21 02:38 pm (UTC)(link)
LOL I was teasing. Cuz you weren't joining in the love feast everyone was throwing at me (dude, now I get why some people do the dramatic I AM LEAVING NOW post so often... it makes me want to come back and quit again just for it :))

Page 1 of 2