Leslie Jones has had herself a time on Twitter since the release of her all-female (and one pathetic punchline of a male) film "Ghostbusters." The "Saturday Night Live" star's feed was recently flooded with homophobic and racist tweets, so much so she left the social media platform earlier this week.
"I leave Twitter tonight with tears and a very sad heart. All this cause I did a movie. You can hate the movie but the shit I got today ... wrong.”
She later stated she didn't leave Twitter but signed off for a while, as she is back on the popular site because a celebrity is nobody without an audience. She commented the insults didn't hurt her but the "injustice" of a "gang" of people harassing her was "gross, mean and unnecessary."
It's not a new phenomena for trolls to hide behind the veil of a computer screen to spew vile hatred, especially towards celebrities. In a world where bullying is a significant problem starting as early as the playground, something needs to be done to work towards a solution.
Leslie Jones' solution does not set a good example for anyone, especially impressionable youth in America and around the world. She is not the first person to be harassed and will not be the last. The CEO of Twitter or Facebook or anywhere this type of virtual torment occurs can ban people to their hearts delight. People can report abusive and harmful material and also those seductive pornbots. It will never be enough for these people, these outraged headline armchair activists. There will always be something to be outraged about so why not change ourselves?
Leslie Jones is famous, whether I think she's talented or a racist Tyler Perry-esque caricature of the stereotypical angry black woman (another rant for another day). She has a platform, why not use it for good? Sticks and stones will break my bones but words will never hurt me. Don't sweat the small stuff. Never let anyone make you feel inferior without your consent (thank you Eleanor Roosevelt). Does she not know her actions gave the trolls what they want, what they desperately need? Attention. Don't feed the trolls!
People make fun of others because they hate themselves and need to release that hatred like diarrhea. I feel bad so you must feel bad too, come down to my level and wallow in misery. The key is to not let it touch you. If a tree falls in the forest and no one is there to hear it does it make a sound? If a troll spews vile hatred towards you but you ignore it does the troll exist?
Also, maybe the CEO's of social media platforms could work towards searching Tweets and posts and whatever for things that matter like terrorists and pedophiles. Just a thought.
No comments:
Post a Comment