Knitting website bans users from posting in support of Trump
Ravelry —a social media platform and online community for knitters and crocheters — is under scrutiny for making an announcement banning all support for President Donald Trump and his administration on its website.
On Sunday, the knitting site posted a Tweet announcing the ban and linked to a blog post outlining its new rules and why it put the policy into practice.
We are banning support of Donald Trump and his administration on Ravelry. We cannot provide a space that is inclusive of all and also allow support for open white supremacy. More details: https://t.co/hEyu9LjqXa
— Ravelry (@ravelry) June 23, 2019
“We cannot provide a space that is inclusive of all and also allow support for open white supremacy,” the blog post reads. “Support of the Trump administration is undeniably support for white supremacy.”
While the blog assures users that they’re allowed to use Ravelry even if they support Trump, it makes it clear that they’re not allowed to discuss it on the platform. “Do not try to weaponize this policy by entrapping people who do support the Trump administration into voicing their support,” the blog post says.
However, even though the post emphasizes that Ravelry is “not banning conservative politics,” some Twitter users are still unhappy with the new rule.
also Ravelry: We are Inclusive, Caring, Diverse, and we will ban anyone who says otherwise.
— CaseClosed (@wds08) June 24, 2019
I hope the decision hurts your bottom line. :D
— Dan Gainor (@dangainor) June 23, 2019
I could cry. What has the world come to. In a forum thread I just remarked how I admire Donald Trump and this is what I immediately received in my in-box: pic.twitter.com/MbD9bfd9ae
— Pancho (@Pancho93528792) June 23, 2019
Some on Twitter also saw the new policy as an attempt to “dehumanize” people with opposing views. Many also commented on how unfair it was that Ravelry chose to ban only pro-Trump content and not support for figures on both sides of the political spectrum.
No one you know or in office in D.C. believes one race is superior to another. It is an attempt to dehumanize ppl you don't agree with. You cannot claim to be inclusive while banning or censoring half the country for supporting its President.
— Keith Barrett (@KeithBarrett) June 23, 2019
So is Joe Biden ok? He loved the segregationists. Worked along side of them. Didn't eleanor roosevelt knit? Her husband rounded up millions of Japanese Americans to internment camps. And he had a mistress and had a disability. That guy checks off a lot of boxes. #usa
— pamelapoppins (@artesepam) June 23, 2019
Not everyone was angry with the new policy, though, as many commended the brand for taking a stand.
As one of many mods of busy (NON-POLITICAL, SOCIAL) ravelry forums, I can say that the emotional labor of defusing angry & ugly situations where casual hate & intolerance is directed at queer, non-Christian, or minority people is frakking exhausting. Thank you @ravelry ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
— Rebecca Stone Gordon 💀 (@meanlouise) June 23, 2019
Thank you for doing the right thing. #CountryFirstOverParty #TrumpConcentrationCamps #TrumpViolatesTheConstitutionAgain
— Laura (@leglobo_laura) June 24, 2019
I think I need to take up knitting. This is a community I want to be a part of. Thank you for taking a stand.
— Madeleine Morris (@remittancegirl) June 24, 2019
One person even urged people to show Ravelry some love to balance out the backlash they would inevitably receive.
i have no doubt that @ravelry will get a HUGE amount of blowback for this so show them some love if you can 💗💗💗 https://t.co/x39xiTzZhS
— lilith (@oldmaidenaunt) June 23, 2019
The blog post confirms that even if users violate the new terms, they will still have access to any patterns they previously purchased, and all their information will be sent to them.
Representatives from Ravelry did not immediately reply to Yahoo Lifestyle’s request for comment.
Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle:
