This Is Why I Speak Out

[theotherbaldwin]

There are some people that rail against the idea that there might be a culture of dismissive-ness about rape, or the use of rape to silence. The following anonymous comments left on my last article are a clear example of these attitudes, and why speaking out is necessary:

Trigger warning: What following under the cut are dismissive attitudes about

Comments

[pretzelcoatl]

Ugh, that's vile.

[theotherbaldwin]

Yeah, it's like "YOU CAN'T SAY THAT! THEY DRAW A COMIC WE LIKE!"

[pretzelcoatl]

You know, that's one of the strange paradoxes of geek culture and subcultures. Geeks embrace things with strange, amazing new ideas which can bust down barriers and create new worlds. While there are plenty of people who use the things they like to inspire them into action, there are also TONS of people who get so defensive if you criticize something which most people like.

I dunno, it's always been something that's bugged me. :/ (See also: criticisms of Joss Whedon, Neil Gaiman, etc.)

[theotherbaldwin]

Furry has that same underbelly, at times, if you'll pardon the pun.

[turandot]

I think I preferred it when the comment section for that was blank.

But yeah, sounds like trolls from some gaming message board or other who have nothing better to do than to be random assholes.

[theotherbaldwin]

I guess it's a saving grace that the way AC has the layout, the comments section is buried way below the fold.

Only reason I'd have known there was anything going on is because I get email notifications of comments.

[theotherbaldwin]

Only for all comments all the time. It's not messing with me in this instance, and I think that, vile as what the trolls are saying, I can deal. I get comments on my article on AC directly so rarely otherwise I'd hate to miss out.

[erf_]

Ugh, that's abhorrent. If these trolls want a reaction, mine is wanting to vomit.

My guess is that #3 is an actual convicted rapist.

[jadra]

Wow, I am in shock at some of the responses you got. That our society has idiots like that in it, who think that rape is an okay thing.

I am sorry that you had to deal with them, but glad you wrote the article, it was really good.

[theotherbaldwin]

And even if they're just trolling, the fact that someone'd get their kicks off it is kind of D:

but that's their damage, not mine.

And thanks for the kind words!

[mneko]

Heh, that avatar is a total blast from the past.

*grins*

[jadra]

Yah, it is I have no idea how to change it though.

[ellindsey]

Your article got posted by someone on 4chan.

And the comments are proving your point.

It's not even personal. These are just people who cause trouble and inflict pain solely for the purpose of having hurt someone.

[theotherbaldwin]

Yet another thing that's about the desire to show power.