Housekeeper here. By request, here are some thoughts on recent housekeeping decisions about certain posts and members. At the bottom there is some clarification of the role of the group moderator. The most important item is the decision to temporarily remove a very few members from the group. Please note that nobody has been permanently removed and they may request reinstatement. Facebook allows remove and block in the group options and nobody has been blocked. I have read the remarks mentioning banning and take that to mean blocking the user permanently. Some users were removed from this group because they posted material with the apparent sole intentions of antagonizing other users who are having serious and sensitive discussion of difficult topics. Those antagonistic threads are still open and have active discussion. Baiting people in a bullying manner across more than one thread in the name of humor or free speech was the activity that led me to make the removal decisions. As Ive never seen that behavior previously from the removed users it does not seem right to block them, only to send them off for a cool-down period. Some postings have been censored. Moderator privileges do include removing posts and threads. Remarks that were removed included f--- off you idiot types of remarks in some of the contentious threads, because those remarks add nothing to the discussion and actively obstruct the resolution of conflict. I removed blackface caricature pictures that were posted with the apparent intention of antagonism without contributing to the discussion, while other blackface caricature pictures are still in place because they are posted with the intention of furthering the discussion. I have seen a couple of suggestions that the moderator should remove threads on the topic of blacking up, or thread that are full of controversy. Those threads are still open because there is a much greater value in seeing what our peers think and say about important topics, even when the opinions expressed are contrary to others personal beliefs and practices. I declined to reinstate one member immediately and he has candidly expressed his displeasure to me and to others, as is his right. He is not blocked and he might submit another request to join. A handful of other requests to join/rejoin the group were declined at the same time, and all of those people are welcome to submit another request as well. Sometimes there are higher priorities than vetting Facebook users into the group, and this weekend has been one of those times. Here are some thoughts on housekeeping within this group. I am not the founder of this group. It was originally some sort of interests page until Facebook changed its organizing strategy a few years ago to create moderated groups. There was no moderator until I clicked the invitation link, which I clicked because approving membership requests is the easiest way to prevent spammer accounts from trying to sell us designer purses and sunglasses or dubious investment schemes. The membership here usually does exceedingly well without any moderator attention. My primary task is to view member requests to make sure theyre probably morris-related people. Occasionally some off-topic posts and exceedingly repetitious posts have been removed. Repetitious posts are usually a side effect of Facebooks sometimes glitchy user interface. The group has been delightfully empty of spammer accounts and Id like it to remain that way. Ive had a well-worded request from a respected group member who is offering to share the moderator duties. Having seen the request about an hour ago, I havent responded yet. Its not being ignored, just subject to the time difference. A second group moderator is a fine idea, provided we agree on the role of moderators. Group member thoughts on the topic are welcome in comments. Regards, JN
Posted on: Sun, 19 Oct 2014 17:46:19 +0000
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