If you’re a girl with an Internet presence, you’ve probably been called ugly at least once — and probably by someone who’s never seen your face, has no idea what you look like, and just wants to tear you down.
More than likely, you’ve also been called fat and questions have been raised about your sexuality. And it doesn’t matter if you’ve posted pictures of yourself, or if you’ve talked about sex, or really, much of anything. If you’re online, female, and you say something that someone doesn’t like, you’re going to get called ugly.
Rarely, if ever, does this happen to men (okay, it’s happened to Richard, but that’s usually after he circulates photos like this). So what’s the deal? Why does this happen? And is there anything to be done about it?
We don’t have any definitive answers — who does? — but we recommend reading Violet Blue’s recent column on the matter for some thoughtful insight and perspective on the problem of lady-hating trolls.
[Photo by Piero Sierra]
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Comments
Its called projection
ps: nice socks , perv!
March 28th, 2008 at 2:25 pmI agree, it is projection! I’ve had people say some not so nice stuff to me…and I say different strokes for different folks. That and a good dose of narcissism keeps me grounded.
March 28th, 2008 at 9:52 pmI think anonymity plays a huge part — going both ways.
When I’m sitting in my room looking at your comments, you’re no more a person to than, say, Homestar Runner. You’re just pixels on my screen, here to entertain me — and if I’m entertained by slagging on you, well — I can do just that without feeling any real sense of consequence.
March 29th, 2008 at 8:46 amNaa, slagging works on all levels.
Its this group of pixels bday! yaay me
March 29th, 2008 at 2:37 pmIn our culture, beauty is tied tightly to a woman’s worth. It’s why and how we’re supposed to be valuable. The beauty ideal works both ways to discredit women. If you aren’t “beautiful”, you are open to being discredited by people calling you ugly and fat and not sexy enough. You know, because as a woman you have the responsibility to be beautiful, thin, and sexy for all veiwers (or imaginers). However, if you ARE “beautiful”, then it’s safe for people to assume you’re not smart…and then what you say doesn’t matter anyway–other than the fact the people might be open to listening to you since you’re “easy on the eyes”.
The bottom line–and I am not the first to say it–the focus on looks is used to keep women busy, distract them from other endeavors, and keep them in check.
March 31st, 2008 at 10:35 amLeave a reply :