Commenting is heartily encouraged! Healthy debate is welcome. Respectfully disagreeing is never a problem. Just bear in mind that this is my space. If you want “free speech” feel free to get your own blog.
This is a feminist blog. It is not necessarily a ‘safe space’ at all times for all people but I do have the usual basic expectations. This means that comments which include any of the following may be edited or deleted: language that is racist, ableist or sexist; attacks on people on the grounds of their sexuality or gender; language or attitudes which are sizeist or belittle people on the basis of their appearance. It’s also a fat acceptance blog, so weight loss suggestions or admonishments about how unhealthy it is to be fat are neither necessary nor welcome. Just so you know. (New readers are encouraged to read this first).
All first-time commenters are held in moderation, so if your comment doesn’t appear right away don’t worry, I’ll get to it.
Swearing is permitted encouraged. Using a whole lot of abbreviations and exclamation marks in the manner of OMFG ROTFLMAO!!!!! is not. In the slightest. Please spare me.
Linking to pertinent articles or posts as part of your comment is generally fine. Sometimes comments with links are sent straight to spam – if you think that’s happened to yours let me know. Any queries about moderation can be directed to me via email or twitter (check the About page for contact details.)
Trolls are subject to derision, humiliation, angry outbursts or banning and the desert of deletion. Whichever takes my fancy.
I can see how having this comment policy is a useful and positive thing for your blog. I am thinking about my own comment policy, too. Not, because I feel that I’ve got a comment problem, but because I’ve seen how it’s the responsible thing to do.
One thing that isn’t touched on with the current version of your comment policy is whether this blog should accept people questioning the posts or background material in the posts. Sometimes this may be trolling, and you’ve already covered that case. However, it may also be genuine. People might be new to a topic and not understand all of the stuff that’s come before.
I have seen how questioning can make some other commenters (a real word?) feel uncomfortable or defensive. To the extent that you wish this blog to be a safe, supportive environment, allowing/ encouraging that style of comment may detract from it. Alternatively, if this blog is about promoting certain ideas or concepts, then educating potential new supporters of those ideas can be done through welcoming people starting at zero and gently responding to their questions.
Without a blog policy on this, I have seen a tendency for some regulars to take a hard line of their own.
I wasn’t sure if this was the best way to raise this issue regarding the comments policy. So, if you wish to respond out-of-band, feel free to delete this comment.
Yes, I see where you’re coming from. I don’t know if this is something that can really be addressed in a comments policy though. I’m thinking of adding a ‘Read This First’ sort of page, like a FAQ, which would be more helpful I think. But I haven’t gotten around to it yet!
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