My Challenge to All Afros!

[DBlack]

Once again, I feel the need to air some things out with the family because I believe in being forthcoming.

Today I received a letter from a member that feels that I am in total control of this community, make ALL the decisions, and should quickly ban anyone that is disrespectful or unfavorable in her eyes.

She also accused me of banning people I disagree with. Nothing could be further from the truth. And I can proudly say the same for all of my staff.

AfroChat, in it's 13 months of existence has banned less than a dozen residents. In most cases, the staff conducts a vote on any banning decision and majority vote wins. If we decide not to ban, we work on a comprimise on how to deal with a resident.

Some residents feel as though we should ban people immediately when they break a rule or disrespect someone. Again, this has only been done in the most serious of circumstances, and did you know many of them are allowed to return? I'm airing this out so it will be easier for all of you to understand how hard we try to be fair. We are slow to ban and quick to give another chance. At the same time, as in real life, some things we don't tolerate. I will never tolerate a staff member being disrespected because they are not allowed to disrespect others.

Some of these very same people chose not to IGNORE residents they have issue with, and also chose not to use our REPORTING system to help us identify and deal with issues. We cannot act on that which we don't know about!

If you choose NOT to ignore someone, then how's that the community's fault? Don't we ignore those we find intolerable in real life? What's so hard with trying to get along with somone, and if you can't, REPORT their posts, and put them on ignore. We keep a huge log of EVERY reported post and discuss them together AS A TEAM.

Some want to portray themselves as the victom. If you know someone that's been banned, trust me, they deserved it. We have the stack of posts and reports to prove it.

A resident that puts on a two-faced persona; liked by the community, yet is disrespectful to the staff will be removed if it's a continued issue. I see this kind of behavior in real life with our people and I won't allow it to go on here.

So in closing, I challenge All Afros to help us police AFroChat. This is not MY community it's yours. If you don't care enough to bring issues to our attention and give us the trust and due time to deal with those people, then this is not the place for you. That is my Challenge to you!

For those of you new and old, that continue to be a positive part of AFroChat, rebuking the negativity and just doing your part, The AFroStaff sincerely thanks you, for it's people like YOU that make this place worth building and maintaining.

For those of you who find it so hard to cooexist with others in harmony, that seek to keep up the viral negativity to divide, destroy and weaken, teardown but never build up, complain but never assist, we look forward to your speedy departure. Black People deserve so so much more!

Are you with us or against us? Holla if you hear me!

[Baba Ahmed]

wise to keep members updated on decision making... maybe to really "make" it democratic hold a general vote process, a matter to or not to ban decision; say for an agreed upon time limit.

Thanks for the explanation.

[HoOdPrInCe]

I kno I hear ya...

Thanks for the open forum...I think that the decision to ban folks should solely come from you and your moderators...! Thats only fair...but also like u said if its extreme, then that gives u no other choice but to ban on the spot!

~Redd

[goodcookinmama]

we have moderators and you the founder so who is to tell you what you should do. we know the rules as in life that we must all follow .so why not here i mean sure theres folks that have known people longer then others. but all has been fair here and all that dont like it should bow out gracefully and let the rest of us enjoy what a real community is. afro chat is the most dencent place that i have been to and dont plan to be any where esle

if people are unhappy with a site

why can't they just leave without all the drama

why pm people ,type e-mails

register under an alias to make drama filled threads (hasnt happened here yet)

these message board trolls need to get a life

[LordJazz]

Sir Dblack, I have the highest order of respect for you and what you have built here.

I am not the type to start or nuture drama and discord, but I think you should lower the hammer on anyone that's a virus here. This is not a kiddy board. It's a wonderful community for ADULTS. Adults that act like children should be ejected.

I've even received emails from members here. How sick, to go out of your way to spread your filth throughout a community. That same tactic is what got blacks involved in slavery. If you don't like it here, BYE! I have NO LOVE for you crabs! Leave us alone and give the real ADULTS here a chance to build up this beautiful black community.

My salutations to Dblack and the entire Staff!

My salutations to all the positive members of AfroChat. I love you all!

[LadyDivine]

I am glad to be a member of a community like this

[tiptop53]

It's so sad that when we have something good going there is always someone who wants to trouble. As long as DBlack and the moderators stand thier ground Afro chat will always be the best. The crabs in a barrel syndrome can not be allowed to take root here.

Just keep doing what you do. IT'S ALL GOOD!

[Baba Ahmed]

Life at afrochat is go n on as expected: meeting and facing challenges... and in grow'n usefulness

UNTIL such cliche's as "its all good" pop up; nothing's all good even at AfroChat!

Yet I too think DBlack and crew are do n a reputable work. And he's challenged us to be alert and help the "crew" do their do!

Right, DBlack?

[DBlack]

You are right, all of you matteroffactly!

Much love to all of you.