Facebook Publication Date: 43588.461805556

On Banning and Suppression

I have seven minutes to write this before I have to go back to my desk.

Yes, I caught a ban yesterday, both here at Lace on Race and on my personal page as well. I appealed, and the 24 hour ban was lifted, but, as someone savvy said in a comment, I, and we, must still be diligent and vigilant. We’re in their crosshairs now, and if I get banned again, it will be for longer periods, until I, and by extension, Lace on Race, could cease to exist on this platform.

Why? some have asked. There was a post that included an image of dessicated Africans; their skelatal naked figures a direct result of colonialism and white supremacy. Someone from this space reported me. That, along with the fact that I was reported for that same image on my personal page, is what prompted the ban.

As to the ban itself, two thoughts.

First, if you have a beef with what we present to you, please give us the courtesy of messaging us or leaving a comment. This move that someone made was dangerous to the community. Things like this can get us shut down. More than that, it creates a deep lack of trust; which one of you reported? It is distastful and chilling that someone who is here, who ostensibly agrees with community ethos and norms, who would jeapordize the work in this way.

So talk to us. Use your relational skills. Don’t tattle to a platform that already actively suppresses us and makes this work so very hard.

But Facebook is not the only suppressor of content, nor is it the only sabetouer of the work.

You are too.

There are thousands of you. There are over 100 people, between my pesonal page and Lace on Race who either reacted or commented that they ‘saw’ me today. Less than a quarter of those who raised their hands at the easy post have interacted with the Relational Ethics series. Most of those names are either people I have never seen, (LoR) or my actual offline friends on my personal page. Which gives me sadness. Two different kinds actually.

I do wish my friends who know me best would mix it up with me here. I can’t make you, but it does make me pensive? Feeling somewhat….? Well yes. If my friends don’t feel that I am worth engaging with and supporting, how can anyone else?

As to those who have chosen to walk with us at Lace on Race, but who still lurk silently and who have never truly engaged,

Welp.

Really? Considering all the work we have done to form cohesive community? As of today, I know you see me.

But do you, either of those two cohorts, really see me? Really see and value the community? Really see and value what I try to bring to our mutual friendship?

After today, I wonder.

Between these two groups, there is as much silence and suppression than Facebook could ever do. Hear that. Don’t externalize

Take from the ban what you will. If you see yourself here, step up.

If you want to leave LoR, or relationship with me, because of this correspondence, I cannot stop you.

But I also can no longer stay silent.

Absolutely no reacts. Comments only.

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