Forums
Welcome to the discussion forum on About.com's Race Relations site.
Our mission is to provide a space for CONSTRUCTIVE discussion about current events that pertain to race relations, and in which to share experiences and information from varying cultural perspectives.
Providing links or content originating from hate sites will not be tolerated and result in a permanent gag/ban. Advertisements are also not allowed on this site and will be removed.
Your Race Relations Guide will visit and moderate the forum discussions regularly. Please feel free to report any violations you encounter to the guide--an option to report violations is conveniently located beneath all posts within each thread.
Our mission is to provide a space for CONSTRUCTIVE discussion about current events that pertain to race relations, and in which to share experiences and information from varying cultural perspectives.
Providing links or content originating from hate sites will not be tolerated and result in a permanent gag/ban. Advertisements are also not allowed on this site and will be removed.
Your Race Relations Guide will visit and moderate the forum discussions regularly. Please feel free to report any violations you encounter to the guide--an option to report violations is conveniently located beneath all posts within each thread.
As you contribute your content, thoughts and/or resources, please take great care to respect the diversity of thought, background and opinion that is sure to be represented on the forum. Outright harassment and attacks will not be tolerated and you will be banned from posting on the forum.
Remember, our goal is to ultimately foster greater communication and understanding. It is in this spirit that I ask you to participate in our forum.
Remember, our goal is to ultimately foster greater communication and understanding. It is in this spirit that I ask you to participate in our forum.
Forum Bill of Rights
I HAVE THE RIGHT...
I HAVE THE RIGHT...
IN RETURN IT IS MY RESPONSIBILITY...
I HAVE THE RIGHT...
- To discuss sensitive issues of race, ethnicity and culture
- To share my perspectives without fear of attack or reprisal
- To ask questions that may help me understand another individual’s point of view
- To share a personal experience or story and not have it be discounted
I HAVE THE RIGHT...
- To experience emotions—sadness, frustration, anger, annoyance—in response to things others may say, feel and do and to communicate those emotions in constructive ways
- To ignore posts which I feel may be intentionally incendiary
- To feel safe contributing and participating in this forum
IN RETURN IT IS MY RESPONSIBILITY...
- To focus thread discussions on the topic at Race Relations, and not on my squabbles or personal conflicts with other members
- To allow others to share their perspectives, though they may differ from my own, and not attack them for it
- To make an effort to explain why I see things the way I do; to back up my opinions and perspectives with facts or research
Users will be gagged or banned for the following...
Make sure your posts are constructive. Before you hit send, ask yourself...
- Racial Epithets (warning will be followed by gag/ban)
- Use of logos or symbols of White Hate or that promote other similar racist agendas (Note: IMMEDIATE gag/ban on first offense)
- Blatant Personal Attacks: e.g. "stupid a**" "jerk" "moron" (unheeded warnings will result in gag/ban)
- Manipulative Posts: "Hey Joe, are you going to take that sh**from Jeff?" (unheeded warnings will result in gag/ban)
Make sure your posts are constructive. Before you hit send, ask yourself...
- What new piece of information am I contributing?
- Does my post add value to this topic? (If no, delete it)
- Is the point of my message to add information or to challenge another person? (Rethink the latter)
- Is the sole point of my post to engage in a personal squabble? (If yes, delete it)
- Might this post be construed as a personal attack? (If yes, rewrite it) Remember: Attack the words NOT the speaker!!
FAQ
- Q. Do I have to register to use the forums?A. You can enter as a guest and read posts, but you must register before you can post or answer a post that's already there. Registering is quick, simple, and free. Please join us.
- Q. Are there any types of posts that are prohibited here?A. We will delete any spam or commercial posts. Please do not post to sell something or involve anyone in a money-making proposition. Flames or rude / insensitive remarks will be removed. Users who are disruptive may be gagged at the Guide's discretion.
- Q. May I promote my product or Web site here?A. As with most places on the Internet, you may make your URL part of your "signature" by typing it under your name at the end of your posts, but please do not place commercial posts on the forum. They will be considered spam and be deleted.
- Q. What should I do on this forum?A.
- Read posts
- Acknowledge the power of emotions involved in discussions about race (your own and those of others)
- Refrain from attacking - incorporating curse words, racial epithets or name-calling, being destructive
- Support other posters’ perspectives and contributions to the forum—including new members—and report blatant violation of forum guidelines to the About.com Guide