This is What Happens, When a Woman.

Is What I Think You Mean

First — Paul, lives in Cork, Ireland. Who is Paul? He is the Twitter user you used to drive home this story, and calling him a Hillary fan is a bit generous. He is a football(soccer) fan, and seems very interested in politics — so much so, that he is paying attention (butting in?) to ours. He really seems to not like Bernie, for whatever reason, more than he cares specifically about Hillary. He definitely doesn’t seem to like Trump or our Republicans.

Now Paul, doesn’t *seem* to be a habitual harasser. But what he does seem to be is — is a very typical internet user. And a guy. Who can’t seem to make the connection that they are commenting to a person with feelings. Twitter, with 140 characters, makes it even easier to get to a bad place quickly — how do you say how you really feel in that space? Well, this celebrity isn’t going to feel anything about it — or even read it, so why don’t I get out as many of MY feelings as possible in these 140 characters?

Paul’s comment sounds a little better now when you read it in an Irish accent. The ‘pity’ part. SOUNDS better.

Am I protecting Paul? No. I still think he, any ‘Bernie Bro', and anyone harassing anyone, could 1. mind their own business, or 2. share their thoughts in a respectful way — should their thoughts exist in a realm where ‘respectful’ is possible. Otherwise, see number 1.

I am pointing out that there is a lot we don’t know about these guys whose comments you shared. They could be anywhere. They could like or not like anything. They may have no interest in politics, whatsoever (though they mostly look like Trump lovers to me!). I always try to look into a person that’s being used as a Bernie Broing or Bernie Bashing example, or that I think I’m finding myself, before believing they are any kind of specific jerk. But you can’t always get more info.

In that case, we know at least that they are men on the internet. And that IS the best group to address. We should to speak to all of them and not force a type of there isn’t one. These men aren’t bringing a complex message with their attack. We can just tell all of them, ‘DON’T DO THIS. EVER.’

We also can’t deny the more disturbing truth — they’re really preying upon her like this because she is a woman. It doesn’t matter that she likes Bernie. This treatment isn’t specialized for her liking Bernie. They will work what you give them. They will use anything to ‘get in there’ and give their unwelcome opinion. Or, let her know she should take her top off and shut her mouth.

At best, they’ve said something that got her attention, and she’ll reply — then they’ll have a story about how they talked to her — maybe they’ll win her over (AS IF!). At worst, she’ll never see it. She won’t feel it. She’s not a real person.

Maybe Emily, and everyone who reads this, can consider, that this is like a fraction of the harassment that goes toward Hillary Clinton. Why do you think Bill is saying he wishes he could say what he really thinks? He sees what’s being said about his wife, how she is not treated like a person, and wants to yell ‘YOU LITTLE FUCKS, I AM GOING TO FIND YOU ALL!’ Aw. Poor Bill. I am sure he longs for 90’s and a virtually internet-free election.

Being a provocative woman, posting provocative material is certainly going to get the most response. Politics! Female gender symbol! Bellybutton! The most dangerous triad. These AREN’T a go-ahead to attack. But the men always do. Try being Hillary — you don’t even have to show your bellybutton.

I would argue that for all of the harassment she doesn’t deserve, Emily got a message out that she felt is important. And Hillary thinks what she is fighting for, is worth being ripped to shreds on a daily basis. And that sometimes it is really fucking infuriating that if they were men, they would be having a totally different, and more respectful experience.

So would us regular gals. Us gals who aren’t as hardened to this stuff as Hillary. Those of us who are not running for president, or famous objects of desire, or famous, or internet-famous or ridiculously beautiful. As a woman, you don’t have to do much to get harassed. It’s REALLY EASY. You don’t have to support Bernie Sanders, and you don’t have to find any special group of men to harass you.

Are you alive? Cool. Find a group of strange men. Give them a way to speak to you. Especially if they can remain anonymous. There will be some willing participants. You just have to be a woman.

When a woman, this is what happens.

So what do we do?