People like that absolutely need to be reported. I would also suggest not engaging with them at all. They're seeking attention. Even your most clever insult feeds them. Let them starve.
I do not disagree with either you or Mavis about how starving these people of attention can (eventually!) be a net positive.
That said, sometimes taking care of yourself (or the person being attacked) really benefits from punching back. I am certainly not saying that a world full of punching is a good one, but if you already feel powerless and people then critique you unless you do nothing in response to attacks like this, those feelings can become worse -- much worse.
So while I certainly support attention-starving as a strategy, I would like to make clear that if someone chooses otherwise and wishes to respond to threats and abuse loudly and provocatively, I wouldn't want the person responding to be criticized. The person engaging in threats and abuse is still the real problem.
(Note for clarity: You didn't criticize anyone for responding and didn't encourage people to. I'm not criticizing you here. I'm just adding some additional thoughts that I think are useful because I have seen people attacked for counterpunching against those who show up spouting threats and abuse. I thought that Mavis' example in the post was actually very thoughtful and just right: not criticizing the counter-punchers, just encouraging them to do something else positive in addition to the counterpunching.)
I absolutely poke back at the obnoxious trolls who decide to poke at me about my gender, ethnicity or autism.
My autism diagnosis didn't come until later in life, but the personality quirks always existed. And I've been Indigenous and female since birth, so the internet wasn't my first experience with bigotry.
But for me, personally, as soon as their comments go from racism, misogyny and ableism to specific threats of violence, I'm done.
I also feel like we need to respect the target's needs. It's easy for me to rip on someone when I see them attack someone else, but if that isn't where the target has gone, I don’t think I should initiate it. I don't know if they're traumatized or frightened by the comment. Are they going to see anyone/everyone dunking on the troll as disregarding the situation or minimizing their feelings. If they haven't set that tone already?
Report the comment, tell them "I've reported this comment, are you OK."
BTW: Did you see that Kristi Noem has now banned state employees from listing tribal affiliations and preferred pronouns in e-mails from state accounts?
Given her open racism and pandering to the MAGA cult, I doubt there are many Indigenous people still on the state payroll, nor would they likely advertise it unless it's part of their duties for the state. Hopefully the Native American Rights Fund (our ACLU) swats her on the nose with a rolled up newspaper again.
She's made so incompetent by her performative outrage.
Adding pronouns to signature blocks is just good business in any environment where using honorifics is expected.
When I worked in finance and accounting for the Defense Department, "Sir" or "Ma'am" was required, especially from the service members, in our constant emails to get the Air Force's bills paid. We could always use a service member's rank to avoid any awkwardness. Addressing someone via email as TSgt. Jamie Doe or Col. Leslie Smith was acceptable. But we'd have to guess Sir or Ma'am/Mr. or Ms. when responding to correspondence from someone with a commonly gender neutral name like Robin, Ashley or Jesse.
Some people get REALLY offended when you get it wrong. Pronouns in signature blocks make it infinitely easier as well as affording us the opportunity to ask for preferred form of address for anyone nonbinary or who used neopronouns.
May 26·edited May 26Liked by Amelia Mavis Christnot
The Bozo overlay really creeped me out, given the guy's (?) comments. I've never come across anything like this (on Substack, anyways) but this is absolutely intolerable behaviour. I'm always puzzled by the redacted profile pics, tbh. This is a villagers-pick-up-your-torches-and-pitchforks kinda moment. I'd let 'em loose on Bozo. You're clearly a kinder soul than I am.
Oh, I'm not that benevolent. I originally drafted it with his (yes, it's someone who presents themselves as male on Substack) name and likeness there, but changed my mind because:
1) I didn't want people to get distracted from the point by going to check his Substack (conspiracy theory laden Hellscape)
2) I figured my post would get removed by Substack for targetting him because that's usually how it goes on media platforms when you "attack" the attacker
I used "Auntie" in my Substack moniker because Indigenous Aunties have a very specific role and persona in NDN Country. Caring for their community is part of it, but kind soul isn't part of the description. My Sisters sent me a graphic they said needed to be my "warning label" that read: "Please don't be rude to me because my rude will outrude your rude and I'll make you cry."
Thank you! I appreciate this very much. Reporting is quiet and powerful. And remembering to acknowledge the “victim” is important too. May human decency rule. I got your back and now I know you’ve got mine. Thank you. 🙏
Thank you! I didn’t know how to do this before.
Neither did I.
Yes, thanks for the lesson!
Agreed. Thank you for the step by step information. 💜
People like that absolutely need to be reported. I would also suggest not engaging with them at all. They're seeking attention. Even your most clever insult feeds them. Let them starve.
Agreed. They're either a stereotypical internet troll enjoying the conflict they create or an emotionally unregulated genuine threat.
Neither situation improves with giving them more attention.
I do not disagree with either you or Mavis about how starving these people of attention can (eventually!) be a net positive.
That said, sometimes taking care of yourself (or the person being attacked) really benefits from punching back. I am certainly not saying that a world full of punching is a good one, but if you already feel powerless and people then critique you unless you do nothing in response to attacks like this, those feelings can become worse -- much worse.
So while I certainly support attention-starving as a strategy, I would like to make clear that if someone chooses otherwise and wishes to respond to threats and abuse loudly and provocatively, I wouldn't want the person responding to be criticized. The person engaging in threats and abuse is still the real problem.
(Note for clarity: You didn't criticize anyone for responding and didn't encourage people to. I'm not criticizing you here. I'm just adding some additional thoughts that I think are useful because I have seen people attacked for counterpunching against those who show up spouting threats and abuse. I thought that Mavis' example in the post was actually very thoughtful and just right: not criticizing the counter-punchers, just encouraging them to do something else positive in addition to the counterpunching.)
I absolutely poke back at the obnoxious trolls who decide to poke at me about my gender, ethnicity or autism.
My autism diagnosis didn't come until later in life, but the personality quirks always existed. And I've been Indigenous and female since birth, so the internet wasn't my first experience with bigotry.
But for me, personally, as soon as their comments go from racism, misogyny and ableism to specific threats of violence, I'm done.
I also feel like we need to respect the target's needs. It's easy for me to rip on someone when I see them attack someone else, but if that isn't where the target has gone, I don’t think I should initiate it. I don't know if they're traumatized or frightened by the comment. Are they going to see anyone/everyone dunking on the troll as disregarding the situation or minimizing their feelings. If they haven't set that tone already?
Report the comment, tell them "I've reported this comment, are you OK."
Thank you. I didn’t know how to do this before.
Thank you so much for this.
BTW: Did you see that Kristi Noem has now banned state employees from listing tribal affiliations and preferred pronouns in e-mails from state accounts?
What a vile creature she is.
I had not, but I'm unsurprised.
Given her open racism and pandering to the MAGA cult, I doubt there are many Indigenous people still on the state payroll, nor would they likely advertise it unless it's part of their duties for the state. Hopefully the Native American Rights Fund (our ACLU) swats her on the nose with a rolled up newspaper again.
She's made so incompetent by her performative outrage.
Adding pronouns to signature blocks is just good business in any environment where using honorifics is expected.
When I worked in finance and accounting for the Defense Department, "Sir" or "Ma'am" was required, especially from the service members, in our constant emails to get the Air Force's bills paid. We could always use a service member's rank to avoid any awkwardness. Addressing someone via email as TSgt. Jamie Doe or Col. Leslie Smith was acceptable. But we'd have to guess Sir or Ma'am/Mr. or Ms. when responding to correspondence from someone with a commonly gender neutral name like Robin, Ashley or Jesse.
Some people get REALLY offended when you get it wrong. Pronouns in signature blocks make it infinitely easier as well as affording us the opportunity to ask for preferred form of address for anyone nonbinary or who used neopronouns.
Will do😊
Thanks for sharing. I was unaware of the Report It capability. I'll be sure to use it in the future if needed.
Thank you for educating us on how to do better. 🙏🏼
Speaking up and and out for you and more if necessary ,especially when you’re not in the room , sisters. 🪬🕊️⚔️🧿
Thanks for great info.
The Bozo overlay really creeped me out, given the guy's (?) comments. I've never come across anything like this (on Substack, anyways) but this is absolutely intolerable behaviour. I'm always puzzled by the redacted profile pics, tbh. This is a villagers-pick-up-your-torches-and-pitchforks kinda moment. I'd let 'em loose on Bozo. You're clearly a kinder soul than I am.
Oh, I'm not that benevolent. I originally drafted it with his (yes, it's someone who presents themselves as male on Substack) name and likeness there, but changed my mind because:
1) I didn't want people to get distracted from the point by going to check his Substack (conspiracy theory laden Hellscape)
2) I figured my post would get removed by Substack for targetting him because that's usually how it goes on media platforms when you "attack" the attacker
I used "Auntie" in my Substack moniker because Indigenous Aunties have a very specific role and persona in NDN Country. Caring for their community is part of it, but kind soul isn't part of the description. My Sisters sent me a graphic they said needed to be my "warning label" that read: "Please don't be rude to me because my rude will outrude your rude and I'll make you cry."
1: smart.
2: makes complete sense; that’s probably how it would go. And yes, the Auntie thing! I read Bad Cree last month— so much love for the Aunties!
I just reported you
Do tell. And for what precisely?
Thank you! I appreciate this very much. Reporting is quiet and powerful. And remembering to acknowledge the “victim” is important too. May human decency rule. I got your back and now I know you’ve got mine. Thank you. 🙏
Thank you!!
for teaching me how to report someone. Im practicing
Well, Wakan Taŋka kiçi un. Good luck with that. 👍🏼
I reported that Bozo