21-Apr-2013, 03:28 PM
(This post was last modified: 09-May-2013, 06:35 PM by chetan_crasta.)
Dear admins,
I have been banned from Bengaluru Freethinkers and the Nirmukta group. This was after being in a discussion about issues related to feminism and sexism.
To clarify, I am not anti-feminist (going by the definition of feminism given on wikipedia). I disagree with some aspects of the feminist movement, but as I mentioned in a post earlier, I refrained from commenting on that because I hadn't studied the feminist movement enough.
LMC accused me of victim-blaming while discussing the Adria case. I disagree with that. I clearly stated that what the men did was wrong, and that Adria was right in complaining against them. I only said that public shaming for the crime that these men commited was not justified. When a crime against a woman is committed, it does not automatically mean that it is impossible for the victim to commit a crime herself too. For example, if a rape victim tortures and kills her assailant, has she not committed a crime? To only focus on the crime committed by the victim would be wrong, of course. But that is not what I did. I clearly stated that the men committed a crime and that they deserved a punishment.
Anyway, after asking LMC through PM, he told me the reason for my ban. I sent an apology (to info@nirmukta.com) stating that though I don't see how I was being sexist, I would accept the admins take on the matter (because they are more experienced than me). I therefore apologized. I recieved no reply so I don't know the status of that issue. I have attached a screenshot of that conversation here. Please note that one comment that I made there was deleted. If I remember correctly, all that I said in it was LMC was being too quick in characterizing my comment as victim-blaming.
Yesterday, in another conversation in Nirmukta's main group, in a discussion about Richard Dawkins, I clearly stated that I thought that his "Dear Muslima" comment was an outburst and that I have problems with it. I did also say however, that despite that statement, we can still acknowledge Dawkins' contribution to science.
Now I find myself banned from Nirmukta's main group too. Attached is the partial second conversation (I was banned before I could take the full screenshot). In my final comment on that thread I said "Every leader has his flaws, so do Sam Harris and Dawkins. I find many of their views problematic. But I think we can still acknoledge their achievements in Science while keeping in mind their failings as human beings, so that we can avoid those in ourselves."
I read the rules and the previous messages in this thread. I can't see why I was banned. I did not indulge in personal attacks, nor sexism. I have been involved in some heated debates but my language was always civil and I didn't troll.
I would like my membership to be reinstated because I have learnt a lot since joining Nirmukta's groups. My disagreements with the Nirmukta admins was mainly the tone in which people were called out for their sexism and the abrupt banning of people. I never thought that I myself would face that situation.
PS: **Why can't I reply to Lije? Have I been blocked? Is it a technical problem?** There was some tech glitch. It seems to be working now
PPS: I have redacted the screenshots after going through them carefully. I believe no one can be identified from them except me. Hope this is acceptable.
I have been banned from Bengaluru Freethinkers and the Nirmukta group. This was after being in a discussion about issues related to feminism and sexism.
To clarify, I am not anti-feminist (going by the definition of feminism given on wikipedia). I disagree with some aspects of the feminist movement, but as I mentioned in a post earlier, I refrained from commenting on that because I hadn't studied the feminist movement enough.
LMC accused me of victim-blaming while discussing the Adria case. I disagree with that. I clearly stated that what the men did was wrong, and that Adria was right in complaining against them. I only said that public shaming for the crime that these men commited was not justified. When a crime against a woman is committed, it does not automatically mean that it is impossible for the victim to commit a crime herself too. For example, if a rape victim tortures and kills her assailant, has she not committed a crime? To only focus on the crime committed by the victim would be wrong, of course. But that is not what I did. I clearly stated that the men committed a crime and that they deserved a punishment.
Anyway, after asking LMC through PM, he told me the reason for my ban. I sent an apology (to info@nirmukta.com) stating that though I don't see how I was being sexist, I would accept the admins take on the matter (because they are more experienced than me). I therefore apologized. I recieved no reply so I don't know the status of that issue. I have attached a screenshot of that conversation here. Please note that one comment that I made there was deleted. If I remember correctly, all that I said in it was LMC was being too quick in characterizing my comment as victim-blaming.
Yesterday, in another conversation in Nirmukta's main group, in a discussion about Richard Dawkins, I clearly stated that I thought that his "Dear Muslima" comment was an outburst and that I have problems with it. I did also say however, that despite that statement, we can still acknowledge Dawkins' contribution to science.
Now I find myself banned from Nirmukta's main group too. Attached is the partial second conversation (I was banned before I could take the full screenshot). In my final comment on that thread I said "Every leader has his flaws, so do Sam Harris and Dawkins. I find many of their views problematic. But I think we can still acknoledge their achievements in Science while keeping in mind their failings as human beings, so that we can avoid those in ourselves."
I read the rules and the previous messages in this thread. I can't see why I was banned. I did not indulge in personal attacks, nor sexism. I have been involved in some heated debates but my language was always civil and I didn't troll.
I would like my membership to be reinstated because I have learnt a lot since joining Nirmukta's groups. My disagreements with the Nirmukta admins was mainly the tone in which people were called out for their sexism and the abrupt banning of people. I never thought that I myself would face that situation.
PS: **Why can't I reply to Lije? Have I been blocked? Is it a technical problem?** There was some tech glitch. It seems to be working now
PPS: I have redacted the screenshots after going through them carefully. I believe no one can be identified from them except me. Hope this is acceptable.