The seed for this diary mini-series found its fertile ground after a few of us read a diary that included this elegant statement of the problem. We've decided to call this our Listening series. This is the third session. Conversations in Session 1 and Session 2 are ongoing.
"When I feel that I have to walk on eggshells in a diary it is a sign something is wrong. Sometimes one has to say exactly how one feels and it is also sometimes necessary for those hearing these sentiments just to listen for a while and take note." - LaFeminista
Sometimes You Have to Stop Reading the Comments
Stop. Tune in. What's really going on? No, not the other guy. What's going on with you?
LaFeminista was talking about the misogyny on display in online newspaper comment threads, but some have stayed out of comment threads here at Daily Kos because what they read there has alarmed them or made them feel every uncomfortable. Some people felt shut out of the conversation entirely as they lurked, and then left. Some people seemed to shout past each other, while others seemed to uprate insults posted by their friends while hide rating "the other side." Rebuttal diaries lead to meta diaries lead to meta meta diaries. And like a real world bar room brawl otherwise rational people joined in throwing punches and swinging chairs, without knowing how the fight even started.
No one wins in a barroom brawl. Everyone gets hurt.
Afterward the place is wrecked and there is nowhere to go for a beer.
If you feel disappointed, disturbed or pissed off about what has happened at Daily Kos since the Isle Vista shooting, you are not alone. A few of us are very concerned and have started brainstorming some ideas. Send a Kosmail to Walking on Eggshells, with a question, a suggestion, or your idea of where we should go from here.
The purpose of this diary is to invite readers to check-in with themselves, just to notice how they are feeling and for the rest of us to simply practice respect and kindness as we bear witness to what they report, without judging, blaming or shaming. Please don't bring the fights here. We're calling this our Listening series.
Stop. Tune in. Bear witness. What's really going on with you?