In the thread, women were discussing issues of great importance to us. It gave us an opportunity to engage with men, and more importantly, with each other on a variety of relevant topics.
Yes, the thread was a bit contentious, but that’s what made it interesting. Lively discussion should be encouraged, not squelched. If you’re truly committed to making the board a better place for women, then let us talk, even if it makes some men uncomfortable.
I agree with Green Bean, it wouldn’t hurt to reopen it. She made a lot of very good points in that thread and it wouldn’t hurt people to listen. It may even open more people’s minds.
I see Green Bean’s points, but have doubts that the thread could be salvaged.
The rape comment, which I reported, certainly merited a note or warning. This appalling rape joke (another thread, another forum, probably different mod), certainly does. I also reported it but no action has been taken.
What I see a thread that should have been shut down from the get-go, due to the creepy, stalker actions of the OP which are almost certainly illegal (if they actually even happened, which I increasingly doubt).
It’s unfortunate that some people tried to have a serious conversation in reply, but, IMHO, people should have reported the thread, and only put in effort in replies, knowing the thread would likely be closed.
I would also argue that no one is being silenced, since they can start a new thread. There is definitely a chilling effect, but, in cases where the thread itself is so utterly flawed, I think that is an acceptable loss. If the thread should have been closed before the comments were made that would be chilled, I’m okay with the thread being closed.
That said, I do continue to argue that there is often a jump to closing threads when responses to individuals would be better. I just don’t think that’s the case when the thread itself is bad, from a poster that already has a history of problematic threads.
Finally, I do not like the suggestion that the thread was closed due to male discomfort. The closing note says nothing of the sort. It talks about comments that were out of line, and then mentions that the thread itself is extremely problematic. And I argue that was so from the beginning.
In fact, I would argue the lines the OP crossed should probably warrant some review of their posting privileges. The thread was not merely contentious.
If every thread with a creepy OP is shut down, there would be no board. Hyperbole, of course, but OPs by misguided people have spawned some of our best threads.