avatarSherry McGuinn

Summary

Sherry McGuinn, a Chicago-area writer, reflects on her experiences with online vitriol and the challenges of dealing with ignorant and hateful comments from internet trolls, particularly in the context of a recent article that received significant attention on another platform.

Abstract

In her article, McGuinn discusses the pervasive issue of societal ignorance and hatred as exemplified by the venomous comments she received on a piece she wrote. Despite her relative success in avoiding personal attacks on social media, the 577K impressions, 75K page views, and nearly 14K shares of her story on another platform led to a barrage of offensive remarks. These comments, which included name-calling and personal insults, highlighted the lack of civility and intelligence among a segment of society that thrives on negativity. McGuinn admits to being deeply affected by the hateful discourse, which contrasts sharply with the respectful and constructive exchanges she has had with other writers and readers on platforms like Medium. She contemplates the impact of such ignorance and intolerance on society and reflects on the importance of not engaging with trolls, despite the desire to retaliate.

Opinions

  • McGuinn believes that a segment of society is dangerous due to their ignorance, as noted by Dr. King, and that this has been exacerbated by the rhetoric of a "racist and venomous felon" in the White House.
  • The author expresses a wish to eliminate the hatred by metaphorically gathering the hateful commenters in an arena and removing them, indicating her frustration with the level of intolerance.
  • McGuinn values civil discourse and intelligent debate, emphasizing that disagreements should not lead to personal attacks or hatred.
  • She points out that the hateful comments are not only directed at her but also at other writers, questioning why anyone should have to endure such treatment.
  • The article suggests that taking the high road or turning the other cheek may not be effective in deterring hateful behavior, yet engaging with trolls can also be counterproductive.
  • McGuinn sarcastically considers the possibility of becoming a "ho" as a side hustle, mocking the absurdity of the insults hurled at her.
  • She concludes by cautioning other writers about the prevalence of "bottom feeders" and advises them to be vigilant and possibly ignore reader comments to avoid the negativity.

LIFE LESSONS/TRUE STORY

Society’s Underbelly

The stench of ignorance and rot is as pervasive as ever

Source: Free-Images.Com

As someone who was relatively late to engaging on social media and the concept of putting myself “out there,” that said, since I’ve done so, I’ve been relatively fortunate in that I’ve never been overtly attacked over something I’ve written or opined on.

We all know that there is a certain segment of society that flourishes by spewing venom. On hating just to hate. Because that’s all they know how to do.

Why?

Because they’re ignorant AF. And, as Dr. King noted, dangerous. Sadly, the last four years, thanks to the racist and venomous felon in the White House, have only exacerbated the poisonous vibe, brought on by an ever-growing number of these cowards emerging from under their rocks.

If this ilk wasn’t so disturbing on so many levels, I might be able to feel a modicum of pity for their miserable, empty lives and petty, baseless attacks. For their need to shit on strangers simply because they can, as they hide behind their false names and avatars.

But I can neither feel pity nor empathy for them. And I won’t. If I could herd them all together into one vast arena and blow them to Kingdom Come, I would. Because we’d all be better for it.

Certainly, many of us here have exchanged “words” with other writers and readers. Minor disagreements that, because we understand that civility is key to our credibility, never evolve into something uglier. More sinister. And that’s a wonderful thing. No one should be afraid to air their opinions if they do so respectfully and with a modicum of grace and hubris. That’s what “intelligent discourse” is all about. We can agree to disagree without tearing each other to shreds.

And often and happily, that’s how friendships develop. From a civil exchange of ideas and opinions. I count many of the fine writers here as friends and feel fortunate to have their support and to give it, in return. Certainly, we don’t all agree on certain fundamental issues but, if we are to “live and let live,” then agreeing to disagree is also fundamental.

So imagine my surprise when today, I checked out my stats on another platform and noticed that one story received over 577K impressions, over 75K page views, and nearly 14K shares. Oh, and also, 150 comments. Naturally, I was eager to see what people had said about the piece.

The story was originally published here, on Medium and readers seemed to enjoy it. I’ve linked to it, below. On the alternate platform, however, I was personally attacked in such a way that, as knowledgable as I am to the ways of the world and the nutjobs in it, I was seriously thrown for a loop.

The majority of the comments, those that I checked out, anyway, were badly spelled and in the shit, grammatically, but the general point was clear: I’m an “ignorant ho.”

Here’s a sampling:

User from NJ

I think you’re a crazy bitch

Brad Kifer

well, ill never get that wasted time back..

Linda Mendez Portillo

what a disgrace you are my condolences to your family. you disgusting sicko

WonderWho

what? why??

Jose Marta

what was she thinking this women

Elton Pulver

If he didn’t expand the quality and quantity of ILLEGAL DRUGS you were shooting, snorting, inhaling, or imbibing then you were cheated!! Actually that comment is meant as SARCASM!! Just in the first few paragraphs gave me the picture of your DYSFUNCTIONAL childhood and family!! Soo sorry for what you had to endure as a child and adolescent!!

Richard G

She looks pretty damn old and ugly herself today. lol

And my personal favorite:

guedo1

A ho is a ho

Now, if I could, I would tell every single one of these assholes to go fuck themselves, but of course, that’s what they want. What they feed on. Because “combat” is what keeps them going and at the end of the day, they’re cowardly trolls.

None of us should be surprised at the collective lack of brain-power here, but, as I said there are at least 150 comments as of this writing and I’m guessing that by tonight, that number will have risen considerably.

Perhaps I’m wrong, but I’m guessing that many of these inbred idiots lead sad little lives with very little connection to the real world. Due to the level of vitriol for someone who they know nothing about, I’m also surmising that many are Trump supporters.

I know that other writers on the platform are also sucking up their fair share of shit, but why should they have to? Why should we have to?

What’s “taking the high road going to do? Or “turning the other cheek?”

As you can probably tell, I’m getting worked up writing this and need to calm down or I’m going to let loose on these people. And again, I realize that doing so will only work against me. A few of my friends here have cautioned me against it, and of course, they’re right. I’ll just look like a fool.

But damn it. I’m am so sick of ignorance and intolerance and hatred for that which is unknown and misunderstood. And these comments on one story are merely a microcosm of the sickness that is so pervasive in our society.

“Crazy bitch.” “Ho.” My God, if this wasn’t so pathetic, I’d have to laugh as I’ve never been called a “ho” before. Perhaps I should be flattered. Maybe I should hit the streets. “Hustling” could be my side hustle! But then again, being “pretty damned old and ugly” I’d probably have to pay the tricks instead of them paying me.

If you've read this far, I thank you, as sharing this mess has helped me to deal with it and scrape it off my shoe. And there really is no solution other than to caution other writers, as I have been, to ignore reader comments altogether, which is a shame as that keeps us from engaging with those individuals who actually enjoy our stories.

But that’s life, isn’t it? Does it suck? Maybe, but the bottom feeders certainly do. And they’re everywhere. So, my friends, watch your backs.

© Sherry McGuinn, 2020. All Rights Reserved.

Sherry McGuinn is a slightly-twisted, longtime Chicago-area writer and award-winning screenwriter. Her work has appeared in The Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, and numerous other publications. Sherry’s manager is currently pitching her newest screenplay, a drama with dark, comedic overtones and inspired by a true story.

Thanks for reading, guys. If you enjoyed this, I’d love for you to check out the following, as well as my newsletter, Sherry Raw.

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