Announcement 2020 Update: Political and Politically Charged Content Not Allowed

[eggsandhens]

A lot of people who say that there should be “no political posts” are liking political posts that they agree with, even if they don’t post anything.

 

[muddy75]

I think we should be able to talk about our identities, as long as it isn’t in a rude or offensive way. If this forum is only about chickens, why have the ducks section? Why have the quail section? Why have the geese section? Why have the social sections? That is why that argument makes no sense. Our identities leak into everything we do. I’m never going to raise meat chickens. Do you know why? Because I am a vegetarian. That is the reason I don’t raise or eat meat, including chicken. Being vegetarian affects my chicken keeping. Just like eating meat affects everyone else’s. Doesn’t mean I can’t mention being a vegetarian, even though I really don’t do it that often.


Your identity also affects how the world sees you. Your neighbors could report your chicken keeping just because they don’t like you. Again, an example of when your life affects your chicken keeping.

You can’t keep your identity and your life separate, you just can’t. Why not just accept that everyone has an identity and stop getting upset over someone saying something about themselves? I don’t care if me saying I dip my chips in milk upsets you, grow up. It makes the milk taste better. Does it hurt you? No. As long as what you are saying isn’t hurting anyone, I don’t see why you shouldn’t be aloud to say it. Religion, sexual orientation, race, gender, why does any of that matter? If it makes you happy, and it doesn’t hurt anyone, what’s wrong with saying it.

On the other hand, saying a group of people are evil does hurt people. Saying you don’t like someone hurts people. Before you post, decide first if it makes you happy, and if it doesn’t hurt anyone else. If someone doesn’t like it, so what? We are human, we don’t need to hide our identities because someone might not like it. That’s the whole point of identities, everyone is going to be different. I can scream out loud I think chips saturated in milk tastes good, and you don’t have a say in whether or not I get to. It’s not hurting you, and it makes me happy, so why would you feel the need to control everyone around you by getting their posts removed. Everyone’s beliefs are worth the same. Just because you don’t agree with them, doesn’t make them any less valid.

Like people have said, put on your big kid pants
( or skirts, or dresses) and get over it. Nobody’s beliefs are going to change because you don’t like them.

it is fine to discuss/post in your “own” off-topic” social thread that other can “overlook” if they do not agree but trying to “shove” your personal beliefs/agendas down everyone’s throat by using unacceptable avatars, signatures etc in “non-social” and public threads and forums should not be allowed IMO

 

[Kiki]

There’s nothing wrong with talking about your significant other. I have a male friend who frequently talks about his DH as well as a few female friends who talk about their DW’s. IMO the controversy comes up when someone feels the need to constantly announce “I am a nonbinary, atheist, Democrat.” I understand that you’re proud & I'm happy for you, but hey, it’s a little weird to keep announcing it. You don’t see people constantly stating, “I’m a heterosexual, black, male, Christian, republican.” Or “I’m a white, Wiccan, female on food stamps.” All of it is too much private information for a public forum.

The ‘no hate’ messages have good intent, but there has been an extreme amount of anger & violence put forth by some people under the guise of that message. That makes it a very controversial topic at the moment.

For me, the common sense line is drawn based on what is considered to be ‘private.’ Maybe I want to shout at the top of my lungs about my political affiliations, but the privilege to vote has always been done in a ‘private’ setting, therefore I don’t.

Bottom line is everyone needs to find the boundary between over sharing & being so darn sensitive. If you are homophobic, don’t go to the LGBT thread. If you are an atheist don’t go to the Jesus thread. Vegan, stay away from the butcher threads, etc... If we all put forth a little effort it can go a long way.

Sorry for hijacking your thread Nifty.

I'd like to nominate you too.

 

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forums/#social.63

Does this forum I just linked to crosspost to facebook then? 'Cause I don't have a FB, I'd be pretty annoyed if BYC was linking my posts directly to FB...

I’m sorry you are such an angry person. Trust me, if you don’t get a grip on your anger it will consume you. I’ve read a lot of your posts and there is little content on chickens and lots of anger because everyone doesn’t share your personal beliefs. Clearly you came to this site because of a shared interest in chickens. Wouldn’t it be more productive and way less stressful to focus on what we all share in common and just agree we still have our differences. Being a member of the BYC community makes me happy. It’s like a big extended family. And like all families we have our differences as well. I really would like to get to know the fun part of Chocolate Mouse and why you love chickens the same as I do. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to offend.

 

[muddy75]

I didn't say that. I think they have specific concerns relating to them that their situations that they should be allowed to talk about, just like I want to be able to talk about mine.

If you're deep red in a deep blue neighborhood that's going to effect your ability to keep chickens in ways it won't me for example. You may have to make different arguments to appeal to a city council differently in that scenario. Your neighbors may hate your guts and call the cops on you for it. AND you should be allowed to say that in your posts.



I want equity. I was merely pointing out that what you claim "doesn't happen" literally happened in that post.

If you believe there's a more constructive way to obtain that equity (you know, in a timeframe when I'm still owning chickens) than posting about it in a moderator thread, please suggest it.

(Genuinely, I prefer results to non-results so if there's a more effective route I'd be happy to hear it.)

somehow there’s not “equity” on a what used to be semi-anonymous site??? keep your social chitter chat to your own social thread that can be avoided by those that don’t agree and all is happy or take it to a site meant for controversy and discord (not a pun, but a suggestion) or to private message on this site (yes those do exist)!!! and stop trying to prove a point, or shove your personal beliefs/objections down everyone’s throat!!!

 

[Scareab]

Hey Peeps!

TL;DR: Political and politically charged contend will no longer be allowed on BYC.

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As most of you know, there has been tremendously political and social intensity recently... and heading into the US election, we're expecting things to only amplify from here.

On BYC we strive for complete neutrality with regards to these issues. We work hard to allow our members the flexibility to post all manner of topics and discussions. That said, we've found some topics become heated, contentious, and create a situation that isn't healthy for our members or our community. Very often our report system is flooded by flagged content which then requires our amazing moderators to spend countless hours sorting through the content.

With all that in mind, our team has decided to change our stance from "discouraging" political and politically charged content to disallowing content that is political or politically charged.

Notes Regarding This Change:

1. Sometimes peeps complain that we're silencing their freedom of speech. BYC is a privately owned website (by me ), so it might be helpful to view BYC as a home in which you've been invited (as a member) to come inside for a visit. You may not like how we've decorate the place, or that we ask you to leave your shoes (strong politically charged opinions) at the door before you come in. We totally understand. It's totally your choice to not come inside out house... just like it's our choice to determine what kind of behavior we'll tolerate inside our home.
2. Our amazing and diverse team will do their best to determine which content is "political or politically charged". It's impossible to draw a PERFECT line between what is and isn't "politically charged", but our team will discuss any that are in the "gray area" and make a judgement call" as best we can, with the goal to keep the community humming along as smoothly as possible. (We know we're doing a really good job being unbiased when both "sides" of an argument think we're being too strict and biased)
3. "Content" includes posts, pictures, avatars, signatures, etc.
4. This new policy will be in place at least until the dust settles from the US election
5. If someone posts something that you take issue with, either ignore it or report it. Do not start or engage in a fight. Remember to avoid feeding trolls!
6. We understand many of our peeps are VERY passionate about their beliefs and perspective, and this can be exacerbated when a moderator takes action to something posted. If you receive a warning or reminder of this policy, and/or have content removed, please remember our rule against PUBLICLY questioning our rules and our moderation. You're welcome to contact any BYC moderator PRIVATELY with your questions, concerns, feedback, etc. Similar to the analogy above, imagine if you're invited into someone's home for a super-fun party, and start screaming at the hosts (in front of all the other peeps) about how much you hate the food that's been provided to you for FREE. Instead, it would be more appropriate to kindly and privately talk to the host (moderators) in private and start a productive dialog to express your thoughts, questions, and ideas.

A huge THANK YOU to all the amazing peeps visiting inside our "home" that respect our rules and the tone / demeanor we've decided is best for our group!

I came for a community of fellow chicken owners and cute chicken pictures :3

 

[eggsandhens]

I’m sorry you are such an angry person.

I think that’s a politically charged statement.

 

[room onthebroom]

I was merely pointing out that what you claim "doesn't happen" literally happened in that post.

I have not “claimed” anything. I have been fighting for gay rights, animal rights, minority rights & accessible organic food (amongst other things) since the early 80’s. You are angry, I get it, but quit trying to put your problems off on people who arent to blame.

 

[muddy75]

Bingo. I may have reasons to not want to know that somebody is straight. (TBH, I do.) But if I know you are male, and you have a wife I already know that you are definitely not a lesbian or gay, all because you said something casually about your life. (Bi/pan non-withstanding...)

Now I have that knowledge about your orientation forever, regardless of what label you put on it. And I have that knowledge about an awful lot of people on BYC already. And nobody blinked twice about it or tried to respect my boundaries by keeping it from me, etc....



https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/lgbt-chicken-keepers.1342550/post-23004065

Uhhhhhhhhhhh.....

Incidentally don't we see people show off their religion ALL the time... Usually through signatures, avatars, or participation in specific-religion threads....

incidentally most avatars that are politically charged, religious etc are “politely” asked to be changed.....the only ones so far deemed acceptable have been LGBT!!!!

 

[Kiki]

I think that’s a politically charged statement.

You can't be serious, are you?