Facebook and Hate Speech: Are You a Fan of Hitting Women?

And now we have Hitting Women Who Deserve It. Sigh.  http://www.facebook.com/search/?flt=1&q=hit+wo...!/group.php?gid=327371258349&ref=search&sid=607330209.117855882..1

So many people I know reported the page and it was ultimately removed.  However, unless FB keeps their own rule about hate speech, that particular little turd-driven mushroom will keep sprouting up.  It's probably a page made by a cowardly husband or boyfriend who wishes he had the stones to stand up to his woman.  In any case, it sucks and FB has become so big, I think stuff like this gets under the radar too often.

There's a Facebook group called "Punching Women" that has been around since at least February 6th based on wall posts. I, and other that I know, reported it in the morning of Friday, Feb 19. Now in the evening of Monday, February 22 it's still there. 

Contributing Editor Sassymonkey also blogs at Sassymonkey ( http://sassymonkey.ca ) and Sassymonkey Reads ( http://sassymonkeyreads.ca ).

...what some kids find to be funny. I'm almost positive that there are a few frat boys out there who put up crap like this just to "be funny". Far from it, guys. NOT FUNNY.

Is this the result of inner feelings from abusive men? Do they seek validation? 

Disgusting. 

Its not really relevant, but I cant help wondering how this page came into existence?

Is it somebody who really believes what they write, or a troll who is trying to find buttons to push and cause a stir?

I dont mean that it would be OK if it was a troll - just that I wonder.

Its important to be aware that there are people who make it their business to get you to be angry.  Have a look at this page:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/03/magazine/03troll...

And this one, which seems to be sort of "how to" for trolls, although I dont think that is the intention:

http://www.urban75.com/Mag/troll.html

I've written on my blog about domestic violence. As a father, it is my responsibility to teach my children that this type of abuse is unacceptable. I can't believe that someone would be so cavalier about this issue. I'm glad that people voiced their concerns and Facebook took action.

I have another question. If you knew someone was being abused, would you take action?

Mocha Dad

http://www.mochadad.com ( http://www.mochadad.com/ )

Looks like today's two weren't the first ( http://jezebel.com/5450213/if-women-want-equal-rig... ) pages with this name. I'm glad to see that Facebook appears to be acting quickly now -- this post by Iain Hepburn on the Web Editor blog ( http://blogs.dailyrecord.co.uk/webeditor/2010/02/f... ) on the U.K. site Daily Record, dated Feb. 2, says this of a Facebook group also named Hitting Women: "I understand at least one MP had also been in touch with the web giant over the group. Yet until this afternoon - four days after the complaints began - Facebook was adopting the social media strategy of sticking its fingers in its ears and singing la la la."

Facebook must have its ear to the ground tonight.

Rita Arens writes at Surrender Dorothy ( http://surrenderdorothy.typepad.com ) and BlogHer and is the editor of Sleep is for the Weak ( http://tinyurl.com/9pg62e ). She is BlogHer's assignment and syndication editor.

I reported it too -- hope it goes away soon.

I don't think it's a coincidence that we're seeing this in the weeks that surround a push to end violence against women. While I hadn't heard a whole lot about V-Day ( http://www.vday.org/ ) events this year it's not unusual to see stuff promoting violence against women at the same time. It brings out the trolls.

Contributing Editor Sassymonkey also blogs at Sassymonkey ( http://sassymonkey.ca ) and Sassymonkey Reads ( http://sassymonkeyreads.ca ).

Sadly, there's already another one ( http://www.facebook.com/pages/Hitting-Women/336125... ).  Reported.

~ Karen ~ 

Karen Sugarpants ( http://karensugarpants.com ) | Craftastrophe ( http://www.craftastrophe.net/ ) | MamaPop ( http://mamapop.com )

After working for more than one company with a lot of customers (which, let's face it, users of Facebook are customers), I know it's hard to know when something's gone awry unless people report it. While Facebook can't be responsible for every post that manages to go live, if someone reports a problem, it immediately becomes Facebook's responsibility. Reporting stuff that violates a policy is like calling the cops:  If you don't alert the authorities, you can't really complain. I'm glad so many complained about this one, and so quickly.

Rita Arens writes at Surrender Dorothy ( http://surrenderdorothy.typepad.com ) and BlogHer and is the editor of Sleep is for the Weak ( http://tinyurl.com/9pg62e ). She is BlogHer's assignment and syndication editor.