# Gender, race, and other issues (split off from Doper Demographics thread) **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [September 7, 2022, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gender-race-and-other-issues-split-off-from-doper-demographics-thread/971091 "2022-09-07T00:09:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![YWTF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/d07c76/32.png) [@YWTF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YWTF)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2022, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gender-race-and-other-issues-split-off-from-doper-demographics-thread/971091/61 "2022-09-07T15:08:01Z")
Sure, I could start such a thread and share my thoughts on why the numbers are what they are. I will then get banned for doing so, since I’m not the type of person who likes to limit her thoughts to those that have been pre-approved by the SDMB mods. Anyone who is truly interested in talking about it can start the thread themselves. ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2022, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gender-race-and-other-issues-split-off-from-doper-demographics-thread/971091/62 "2022-09-07T15:35:42Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > Like I said, I specifically _don’t_ do that, even though the notion sometimes occurs to me. Because I know the reaction after a short while will be “Why did you suggest that site? More to the point, why do _you_ stay on there? What’s _wrong_ with you?” Understandable. However, I will counter with this: if our own members and posters, such as yourself, me, and others reading this thread right now, can’t recommend this place to our friends and family, is this place doomed? I think the first part of fixing something is recognizing what’s wrong. I think we have done that, and are in a process of doing that, even in this thread (we aren’t there yet, wherever “there” is). The next part is allowing some space to try and grow. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2022, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gender-race-and-other-issues-split-off-from-doper-demographics-thread/971091/63 "2022-09-07T16:08:22Z")
Some people have self-control, and some people don’t. No one is censoring what you think, btw. That isn’t even possible. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2022, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gender-race-and-other-issues-split-off-from-doper-demographics-thread/971091/64 "2022-09-07T17:07:30Z")
> [@snowthx](#): > > is this place doomed? Pretty much, yes. Oh, it’ll shuffle along for a long while, I reckon, but yes, it’s doomed. Which is fine, “turn, turn” and all that. I enjoyed Usenet, too, but I don’t mourn it. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2022, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gender-race-and-other-issues-split-off-from-doper-demographics-thread/971091/65 "2022-09-07T17:08:34Z")
> [@YWTF](#): > > For instance, I have seen zero curiosity expressed (here and elsewhere) about Biden’s low approval numbers among women. [According to Reuters](https://graphics.reuters.com/USA-BIDEN/POLL/nmopagnqapa/), only 35% of women approve of him compared to 43% men. This is probably the first time I’ve ever seen the sex divide point in this direction for a sitting Dem president. And no one here is discussing it. Here’s [Pew Research from two weeks ago](https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2022/08/23/perceptions-of-biden-and-views-of-trumps-future/) saying exactly the opposite: men disapprove of Biden by 64-34, and women only by 57-40. Here’s [Quinnipiac from the end of August](https://poll.qu.edu/poll-release?releaseid=3854): women are evenly split (46-47) while men disapprove by 34-58. I’m guessing Reuters is an outlier. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2022, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gender-race-and-other-issues-split-off-from-doper-demographics-thread/971091/66 "2022-09-07T17:10:27Z")
**Mod Nudging** : Nice fact finding, but not the thread for this issue. Please drop the side issue. Starting a thread on it in P&E would be great. ---
**Author:** ![GreysonCarlisle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a87d85/32.png) [@GreysonCarlisle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreysonCarlisle)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2022, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gender-race-and-other-issues-split-off-from-doper-demographics-thread/971091/67 "2022-09-07T17:15:13Z")
> [@snowthx](#): > > I think the board has become somewhat of a bubble, but how to counter that? My suggestion: > [@Why is the SDMB membership declining, and what's the best way to add younger members?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-sdmb-membership-declining-and-whats-the-best-way-to-add-younger-members/944208/492): > > Start a Homework Help section to help out the young folk, particularly those who can’t lawfully be [taught certain subjects](https://apnews.com/article/what-is-critical-race-theory-08f5d0a0489c7d6eab7d9a238365d2c1). Be subversive. Though that may attract younger members than you necessarily want.   Best I can tell, there’s really only one rule–Don’t be a jerk–with the rest merely defining what a jerk is. > [@](#): > > The moderation has improved a lot but sometimes it seems like the troll-hunting ends-up with some by-catch: people get banned for unpopular views or ways they express themselves. Not saying we should lower standards, but we need to remember to roll out the welcome mat if we want to keep new posters around here. I’m not so concerned with the banned but with those who opt out because some jagoff suspects them of being a trock and riles up the other jagoffs. ---
**Author:** ![Dallas\_Jones](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dallas_jones/32/3277_2.png) [@Dallas\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dallas_Jones)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2022, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gender-race-and-other-issues-split-off-from-doper-demographics-thread/971091/68 "2022-09-07T17:27:16Z")
> [@YWTF](#): > > Sure, I could start such a thread and share my thoughts on why the numbers are what they are. I will then get banned for doing so, since I’m not the type of person who likes to limit her thoughts to those that have been pre-approved by the SDMB mods. No, you should not start such a thread. You are right, you would eventually get dragged into the Pit for a long gang pile on that will eventually lead to banned camp. Divergent views are not tolerated here any longer. There was a time years ago when civil discussion of people with many viewpoints led to interesting conversations but that was long ago. Interesting conversations are only allowed as long as they support the group think here. Otherwise it is best to stick to the “fluff” topics in Cafe Society, IMHO or Mundane Things. The Board now is just a support group for like the minded . ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2022, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gender-race-and-other-issues-split-off-from-doper-demographics-thread/971091/69 "2022-09-07T17:30:32Z")
> [@Dallas\_Jones](#): > > You are right, you would eventually get dragged into the Pit for a long gang pile on that will eventually lead to banned camp. Divergent views are not tolerated here any longer. Cool! Since you know, what was YWTF going to post that would get her banned? Also, what divergent views would you like to express that are not tolerated here any longer? ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2022, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gender-race-and-other-issues-split-off-from-doper-demographics-thread/971091/70 "2022-09-07T17:38:24Z")
Cool, another thread about women’s experiences here derailed. ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2022, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gender-race-and-other-issues-split-off-from-doper-demographics-thread/971091/71 "2022-09-07T17:54:55Z")
Umm, this isn’t a thread about _women’s experiences here_, that was the/a hijack. ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2022, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gender-race-and-other-issues-split-off-from-doper-demographics-thread/971091/72 "2022-09-07T18:03:07Z")
– deleted a long post because I don’t think it will be helpful considering the current thread trend – ---
**Author:** ![Dallas\_Jones](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dallas_jones/32/3277_2.png) [@Dallas\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dallas_Jones)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2022, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gender-race-and-other-issues-split-off-from-doper-demographics-thread/971091/73 "2022-09-07T18:04:36Z")
Prime example of what I was talking about. Thanks for you help in making my point. ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2022, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gender-race-and-other-issues-split-off-from-doper-demographics-thread/971091/74 "2022-09-07T18:06:50Z")
You’re welcome! Now if I just had any idea how not answering those questions helped you make your point… ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2022, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gender-race-and-other-issues-split-off-from-doper-demographics-thread/971091/75 "2022-09-07T18:09:50Z")
This thread is “Gender, race, and other issues…” comments about the experience of being a woman on SDMB were split off from the Demographics thread and moved here. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2022, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gender-race-and-other-issues-split-off-from-doper-demographics-thread/971091/76 "2022-09-07T18:19:01Z")
I see far more of the enforced orthodoxy in political and/or social threads than w.r.t. younger people/POC. It’s a dogpile if you get crossways with the prevailing thought around here. Some things like UBI are still up for debate, but others like universal healthcare have pretty much been settled, and you won’t be received kindly if you argue against it/poke holes in it/etc… And this isn’t supposed to be a “safe space” for anyone, as I understand it. We’re supposedly not here to be a liberal echo chamber, or an intellectual hug circle or anything like that. We’re supposedly here to have our ideas challenged, and our viewpoints assailed, and through that sort of intellectual forging process, come to a less ignorant and more informed view of things. But we can’t get there, if everyone is busy reinforcing each other about rogressive/liberal thought and vitriolically attacking anyone who isn’t fairly far left, or griping about how they’ve been offended, find things difficult, etc… To some degree, you’re _supposed_ to be offended, or at least startled. That’s how you start questioning your own viewpoints and seeking out more information. People CAN disagree about bigotry for example. Just because a POC says something is bigoted, it does not make it so. That may well be the way they feel about it, but that doesn’t automagically make it bigoted. ---
**Author:** ![Dallas\_Jones](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dallas_jones/32/3277_2.png) [@Dallas\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dallas_Jones)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2022, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gender-race-and-other-issues-split-off-from-doper-demographics-thread/971091/77 "2022-09-07T18:21:10Z")
The title of this thread is about gender, race, and **other issues**. And you offered an immediate pile on. If this was a gender only thread then that is what it should be called. Change the title. ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2022, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gender-race-and-other-issues-split-off-from-doper-demographics-thread/971091/78 "2022-09-07T18:22:42Z")
Questions, from one poster, are a _pile on_ now??? ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2022, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gender-race-and-other-issues-split-off-from-doper-demographics-thread/971091/79 "2022-09-07T18:23:13Z")
Comparing SDMB with about three dozen Facebook groups (mostly gender / LGBTQIA, but some feminist including gender-critical), the old Ms. Magazine discussion forum, and a few other venues I’ve been in over the years… If you hold an opinion contrary to the established one, yes, it can be an uphill struggle to get people to actually consider your viewpoint, and, yes, that can often include being unfairly perceived as taking a position you didn’t actually take. It’s like if you aren’t a Democrat that must make you a Republican — people who hold established views can be oblivious to perspectives that are not very well established and have not been a part of the social dialog so far. But that’s more or less the human condition when it comes to communication. I’ve been a 'Doper since 1997 (AOL days) and during all this time I’ve been officially warned _once_, pitted _twice_, and although I’ve been piled on and told I was full of it, accused many times of taking a position I had not taken, ridiculed, mocked, etc, I was able to say what I said. I was able to clarify (and often did, at length and in precision detail that also got me mocked a lot) and bring the subject up in other threads at other times and I did not get pitched out on my ear or even so much as topic-banned. It’s neither a Safe Haven for the thin-skinned nor a free-for-all where you can spew out any crap you feel like. Probably a lot closer to the latter. The places I _have_ been pitched out of are far more intolerant of views that are considered intolerable, and in those spaces if what a person said might be construed as perhaps indicating support for some egregious position, the pileon of demand for retraction and apology was more abusive and the tendency of the moderation staff to get rid of the apparent cause of the flareup was a whole lot higher than it’s ever been in here. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2022, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gender-race-and-other-issues-split-off-from-doper-demographics-thread/971091/80 "2022-09-07T18:31:51Z")
Speaking as somebody who has been part of this board since it started and who is an old white man, I was oblivious to how narrow our demographic has become. Which is an indication of the problem. You get comfortable in a place and you assume everyone else is as comfortable as you are. But in retrospect, I should have been worried about the lack of stress and challenge I’ve experienced. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gender-race-and-other-issues-split-off-from-doper-demographics-thread/971091.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gender-race-and-other-issues-split-off-from-doper-demographics-thread/971091.md?page=5)