I just saw an excellent post from ![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
amadi (from Friday), which I'm reproducing here. I'm too low on spoons ATM to turn out something on the same theme myself, but this is important stuff:
I am aware of several bullies, particularly in the autistic blogosphere, who have targeted people I know. It has bothered me that elsewhere in social justice circles, if I haven't seen the nasty behavior, I don't know who is doing the bullying and harassment. And, frankly, to conserve my Sanity Watchers Points, I have purposely been staying away from some places this is a more common phenomenon. Which is frustrating, in itself.
And some of us who already have too much experience dealing with this kind of crap, also have trouble talking about it openly (thanks to PTSD, concerns about dogpiling, getting the tired old "you're pointing out a problem, so you must be the problem" crap, etc.) when we're getting targeted specifically because the bullies know we're vulnerable and think they can get away with replicating abusive power dynamics on our heads: trying to build themselves up by tearing other people down. Kind of a difficult situation, all around. And I do not want to contribute to it.
People who behave nastily do not need any further encouragement, which includes (even unwitting) validation that the way they're treating other people is OK. So, please let me know if you see me engaging in any way with a bully. Please. And I will try to do the same.
amadi (from Friday), which I'm reproducing here. I'm too low on spoons ATM to turn out something on the same theme myself, but this is important stuff:If you:
- Find that I've just quoted someone you know of to be a known repeat offender abuser/bully without noting that the person is problematic
- Find that I'm engaging with such a person, perhaps without knowledge of their history
- Note that I have invited someone of this sort into a larger conversation in some way
please let me know. While I am, I think, aware of the three most prominent trouble-causing people in the corner of the social justice blogosphere I hang around in at the moment, obviously things have occurred and will occur outside of my knowledge. Come to me, talk with me, let me know. Help me to help keep us all safer. In turn, I will, with respect and with only that goal in mind, do likewise for you.
Note: Feel free to duplicate this post or use it as a jumping off point for your own statement on this matter. No attribution required, even if you copy completely. This isn't about me, this is about us as a community.
I am aware of several bullies, particularly in the autistic blogosphere, who have targeted people I know. It has bothered me that elsewhere in social justice circles, if I haven't seen the nasty behavior, I don't know who is doing the bullying and harassment. And, frankly, to conserve my Sanity Watchers Points, I have purposely been staying away from some places this is a more common phenomenon. Which is frustrating, in itself.
And some of us who already have too much experience dealing with this kind of crap, also have trouble talking about it openly (thanks to PTSD, concerns about dogpiling, getting the tired old "you're pointing out a problem, so you must be the problem" crap, etc.) when we're getting targeted specifically because the bullies know we're vulnerable and think they can get away with replicating abusive power dynamics on our heads: trying to build themselves up by tearing other people down. Kind of a difficult situation, all around. And I do not want to contribute to it.
People who behave nastily do not need any further encouragement, which includes (even unwitting) validation that the way they're treating other people is OK. So, please let me know if you see me engaging in any way with a bully. Please. And I will try to do the same.
