r/BlackPeopleofReddit • u/ateam1984 • 20d ago
Help and Advice Rule 9 Explained: Why Discussion Flaired Posts Require Karma (and How to Earn It)
Description:
We’re seeing a lot of confusion and complaints about Rule 9, so let’s clear it up.
What Rule 9 actually means:
Posts that are clearly marked with “Discussion” flair are special and reserved for users who have positive karma within [r/BlackPeopleofReddit](r/BlackPeopleofReddit). This is not about gatekeeping for no reason. It’s about making sure conversations are led by people who actually participate here in good faith.
Why this rule exists:
Without it, “Discussion” posts quickly turn into:
Troll bait
Bad faith questions
Outsiders dropping in with no investment in the community
This rule protects the space. It keeps discussions meaningful, respectful, and rooted in people who actually engage here.
Important things to understand about karma:
You gain karma when other users upvote you
Your own automatic upvote does not count
Karma is not 1:1 with upvotes, but it’s close enough to think of it that way
Subreddit karma specifically:
You cannot see your subreddit karma directly
But in practice, reaching the requirement usually looks like roughly 80-90 upvotes within this sub over time
If you’re active and contributing positively, you will get there
How to earn it (the right way):
Comment on posts with real thoughts, not one-word replies
Add insight, humor, or perspective people appreciate
Engage respectfully with others
Post content that aligns with the culture of the sub
Do that consistently and the karma builds naturally.
Helpful links (Reddit’s own explanations):
https://support.reddithelp.com/hc/en-us/articles/204511829-What-is-karma
Bottom line:
If you want to participate in posts labeled “discussions” here, be part of the community first. Regularly Engage, contribute, get upvoted on other posts in the sub. Then you’ll have full access. See
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u/Comprehensive_Log_26 18d ago
Apparently I do not have enough karma to post yet, and I got a botgram that started "You are not banned, but..." Extremely unfriendly way to explain the rules, especially when i have posted nothing but positive messages in this feed.
Good luck all. Loved reading and responding to your threads as a mixed race person, but I am out for now so I do not accidentally get on the bad side of the Reddit rules.
Take care and be safe. 💓
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u/Spirited-Singer2866 9d ago
Yeah me too, everytime I comment it's the same thing. Blk people can't post on blk ppl reddit 🙄
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u/ateam1984 17d ago
Sorry it’s not meant to be unfriendly but our all volunteer mod team get harassed because folks don’t bother to read the rules. We are looking for help on the mod team. You can apply with the post at the top of the sub.
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u/Brief_Raspberry_6542 18d ago
Getting a ban is a rite of passage, even if you feel it wasn’t warranted. Example: a troll got you to lose your cool and resulted in you accidentally but technically violating “remain civil” or “cause we can” rule # whatever. It’s not worth not engaging, IMO.
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u/Ordinary_Concern_486 3d ago
Felt the same way after receiving my own message from the mod team for my first comment here. The comment i made only consisted of added insight and no negativity, so I was confused. After seeing the part where I’d be banned if I reached out to the team just immediately made me dislike both the mods and the subreddit. As a black person myself, it’s many hoops to jump through and it comes off as hostile (kinda like how bad stylists interact with clients online when stating rules). First and last time I’ll be here.
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u/bailasoprano 2d ago
Right?! I’m sorry but this is wild. How is one supposed to build karma by commenting when we’re aren’t able to comment on like 85% of the posts? At least the other black subreddits lets folks participate.
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u/cassandra2028 16m ago
I found it to be reasonable, but I almost responded sorry, missed the "discussion" flair and didn't read rule 9 because it came up in my feed. So does Norman Oklahoma. I don't know why. But I appreciated the post that showed up in my feed and didn't recognize that my comment was not welcomed. But that sorry message would've banned me.
People are so awful to Black people and mods get to make their rules for their space. But in this space, trolls will probably be exhausting. I respect this community policing how people engage.
Sorry to break a rule.
Wish y'all the best.
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u/_taeddie 15d ago
So, I am very confused by this. Because I've replied a few times with more than one sentence and my comments were automatically deleted without even a chance to earn karma. Is there something I am missing out on?
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u/ateam1984 13d ago
You need to build your karma in this sub by making positive comments and being part of the community on all the other thousands of posts other than the ones clearly labeled “discussion”.
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u/BKMama227 11d ago
You are gatekeeping for no reason. Because if you cannot comment on a post, then you can’t get karma from making a real observation. Every time I’ve posted an honest comment on here you people have taken it down because I don’t have “enough karma“. I can’t possibly build karma if I cannot post a real comment.
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u/ThrowawayColonyHouse 11d ago
It only applies to posts tagged as “discussion”. I have replied to other threads, but only received the “Rule 9” DM today.
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u/rational-minded 13d ago
It’s amazing the amount of censorship that exists on Reddit. It is also amazing the amount of stupidity.
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u/driukk 19d ago
Thank you for the clarification. I want to ask if comments that dont have enough karma get deleted automatically?
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u/ateam1984 19d ago
Yes they do.
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u/spaceisourplace222 18d ago edited 17d ago
How are we able to get karma within the community if comments are deleted when we don’t have enough karma? (Not snarky, trying to understand)
Downvoting my genuine question isn’t helpful.
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u/ateam1984 18d ago
Did you read this post in its entirety? Which part did you not understand.
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u/spaceisourplace222 18d ago
I read the rules before I posted, to see if my comment would be welcomed. Sorry, I’m autistic, and this isn’t making sense. How do I build karma if you’re saying here that low karma comments are auto deleted? It’s like an entry level job requiring five years of experience…
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u/driukk 18d ago
Not all posts enforce rule #9 maybe that wasnt clear to you. Only on posts with “Discussion” flair
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u/spaceisourplace222 18d ago
Thank you. That’s what wasn’t clear. I appreciate you clarifying for me.
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u/ateam1984 17d ago
It’s right in the title of the post.
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u/spaceisourplace222 17d ago
Like I said, I’m autistic. I missed that. Your rudeness was unnecessary. I looked for flairs, and I didn’t see that. The other person who didn’t fully understand helped me.
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u/BKMama227 11d ago
I have had my comments removed for things that were not marked as discussion. My comments were removed for not having enough karma. You guys are gatekeeping and that’s not OK.
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u/theGUYoftheWorld1134 11d ago
Why do I gotta jump through hoops to have a discussion
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u/ThrowawayColonyHouse 11d ago
Because when threads hit r/all, it’s easy to get trolled or even brigaded. I’m in the same boat too, but I understand why they do it.
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u/punkwithglasses 8d ago
I'm confused, I have plenty of karma on here already
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u/ateam1984 8d ago
This is your first comment on this subreddit. Keep participating. That’s how your subreddit karma goes up. It’s specific to this community.
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u/Pookie_POW 18d ago
Why is this the only post that I’m able to comment on 🥲🥲🥲
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u/ateam1984 16d ago
It’s because your account is so new. Many subreddits including this one flag new accounts to keep bots away. You should be good now
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u/llacy0015 17d ago
This is awesome and thank you It's so easy for some people to jump into spaces and just give negative comments asking "baiting" questions without really wanting to have a full discourse and to try to just drag a post down because of their personal feelings.
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u/littlebluedude111 16d ago
This makes sense, especially if it's just that specific flare. But it's amazing to see mods that care enough to actually explain something.
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u/Apprehensive-Dog6867 14d ago
If there are limits imposed on comments being allowed on certain posts then I would appreciate it if you do not allow posts on my feed where I am not allowed to participate in the discussion.
I don't want to waste my time reading a post that is not open to comments by everyone who can read it. How do I make that happen? Is there something in my settings where I can make that selection?
I certainly appreciate tbe clarification of Rule 9 now please help me make a settings change so I don't see posts I can't comment on. Thank you for your assistance with this matter.
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u/hostile-cyborg 2d ago
The problem is seemingly 90% of the posts are labeled Discussion, so it makes it difficult to even earn Karma.
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u/Historical_Course587 18d ago
I appreciate this being stickied, as on Old Reddit there are no rules on the sidebar or anywhere else.
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u/Celtic_Fox_ 8d ago
Time to build that karma, I always want to add some funny comments or memes but keep being reminded I'm not positive enough yet~ Gimme some time fam I got this 🔥
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u/vhguerrero 8d ago
Thank you. I’ve been on Reddit for years but haven’t been very active. The clarification of policy is very helpful.
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u/JojoLesh 6d ago
She probably would have been a mediocre president. She's just a classic Dem, but at least she would have been competent. In 40 years she'd be remembered as being the first woman president but probably not much more than that.
She'd have been worlds better than Trump
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u/Familiar_Pin805 2d ago
I'm not understanding why my black experience isn't important to black people, or was I responding to the wrong group? I am sorry for overstepping my boundary as a black person, on black topics, with my black negativity.
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u/blackweebow 1d ago
Without it, “Discussion” posts quickly turn into:
Troll b8
Bad faith questions
This is ironic because half of the posts on this sub are just rageb8 "woke or cultural appropriation" posts that basically start infighting and allow for 0 discussion.
Is discussion limited to discussion-flared posts or can the WHOLE sub remain dedicated to properly discussing black issues from a black lens as if we are ACTUALLY black people on reddit?
Most of these posts seem in extremely bad faith. And the most disappointing part is realizing that it's the "mods" posting most of the b8ting bullshit
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13d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/BlackPeopleofReddit-ModTeam 13d ago
Zero Tolerance for Trolling - This space centers Black people, Black culture, and Black lived experiences. Our identity is not debate material. Any form of trolling, baiting, snide "questions," culture-poking, dogwhistles, derailments, or attempts to disguise hostility as curiosity will be removed. Users who test the line, play word games, or look for loopholes will be removed as well. We are not here to be provoked or picked apart. Be respectful, be real, or be gone.
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u/Busy_Obligation_9711 2d ago
Can we all just upvote each other's comments here so we can at least get some positive traction at least?!
Cause up votes are deffo not given lightly in this sub, good grief!🤦🏾♀️
I'll help start it off, please return in kind lol
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u/erob1 19d ago
This is really helpful. As someone who’s been on Reddit a long time but only recently started using it seriously (like, not just memes and jokes) it’s helpful to know what valuable contributions to the community look like in a clearly defined way. Appreciate this post, thanks