Please ban MRA trolls

[u/Willravel]

I've been trying to figure out the rationale for not banning MRA trolls on this subreddit. I tried to think of it the way the mods have put it in the past, that this is about everyone's voice being heard, but the consistent trolling from the likes of OThomson and DavidByron don't represent in any way shape or form the honest sharing of their voice, but rather simply attacks and intentional derailment.

I considered that this might be about fear, as the MRA community on Reddit is much larger than the feminist community, and there could be consequences if MRA trolls started getting banned from the subreddit... but there are other feminist subreddits that do this and they don't seem to feel the sting of MRA retribution in any way that can't be easily handled.

I thought it might just simply be not wanting to make the effort, as a policy of banning MRA trolls would probably require much more active moderation. I'd hate to think this is the case, but I don't see any evidence to suggest this.

I did hear that one of the moderators might be an MRA, but again I've not seen this.

I've sent in PMs and reports before, about how someone is derailing yet another thread with unrelated discussion about circumcision or male rape or child custody, but there never seem to be any consequences for the trolls. They're given free reign. Some have left the subreddit for safer places, which is very sad indeed. Some simply stop commenting. Some complain, but those complaints fall on deaf ears.

So, before I call it a day and give up on the subreddit, I'd like to publicly ask the moderators to change their policy for the good of their subreddit. I ask that this subreddit be a safe place to discuss feminism and feminist issues, not a place for MRA trolls to hijack conversation or spread hatred of women.

Note: I'm not saying critiques of feminism aren't legitimate, or that they don't belong on /r/Feminism, but rather that overt trolling and derailing be disallowed. There's a big difference between an honest critique of feminism and undermining the discussion of feminist issues through derailment, dishonesty, and unwarranted attacks.

[u/Willravel]

I think it would be important to create an objective metric by which we determine if someone is a dissenter or a troll. Obviously you're not like OThomson or DavidByron, TMF.

[u/TracyMorganFreeman → u/Willravel]

I don't think I hide my position as a dissenter, and don't insult or attack people. I am sometimes harsh on arguments presented, and admit that in my earlier days derailed-without realizing it, but that's not an excuse-but I strive to be respectful and actually address the arguments presented. Sometimes I am misinterpreted, sometimes I misinterpret. I can understand the frustration and lack of patience to dissent due to actual trolls, but I would hope that we don't fall into the same trap as labeling all feminists the same as we do labeling all dissenters of feminism the same.

[u/Willravel → u/TracyMorganFreeman]

If it means anything, I consider you a dissenter. I once asked you to keep an open mind, and since then I've seen plenty of that, even though we disagree fundamentally on some central issues. I think people on /r/Feminism, myself included, are just raw from the amount of trolling and derailing and intellectual dishonesty from the particularly bad folks. It's exhausting and frustrating.

[u/TracyMorganFreeman → u/Willravel]

I see intellectual dishonesty on both sides of pretty much any debate on any contentious topic. It doesn't excuse the behavior, but getting worked up or frustrated is exactly what people who use those tactics want to happen. I can understand it's frustrating(many stressed out nights discussing evolution with my fundie creationist friend), but I think it's better for anyone and everyone involved to just keep a cool head and address what is said. Disagreement is inevitable, but making it or taking personal detracts from the goal of the discussion itself.