Read on Twitter
This thread is NOT directed at any one person but instead is my thoughts after reading through a few tweets by a handful of individuals who are confused or angry about how the accusations of manipulation and abuse leveled against AntiFashGordon were done publicly.
[long thread]
[long thread]
Let me first start with the recognition of the fact that my personal interpretation of other anti-fascist individual’s objections to the way this was handled may or may not be reflective of their feelings, motives or opinions but I will do my best to accurately address these...
...objections fairly and without unnecessary assumptions.
Every single time accusations of abuse are brought to light, especially when the accused is someone with influence and social clout, the same set of objections are voiced without fail.
I will address these one by one.
Every single time accusations of abuse are brought to light, especially when the accused is someone with influence and social clout, the same set of objections are voiced without fail.
I will address these one by one.
Let me also preface this with acknowledging the fact that while the objections are always the same, the way in which they are expressed, the weight given to each point of contention and the evidence of validity for each point will vary depending on the community affected with...
...said accusations and objections to the way these accusations were brought to the public eye.
1. “Disagreements should be discussed privately”
There are many iterations of this statement ranging from, “take it to dms” to “our enemies will use this infighting against us”...
1. “Disagreements should be discussed privately”
There are many iterations of this statement ranging from, “take it to dms” to “our enemies will use this infighting against us”...
...but the underlying point is the same.
The biggest problem with this is that abuse allegations are NOT simply disagreements, infighting or grudges and to trivialize them as such is not only victim blaming but also dangerous to the entire community involved.
The biggest problem with this is that abuse allegations are NOT simply disagreements, infighting or grudges and to trivialize them as such is not only victim blaming but also dangerous to the entire community involved.
“We protect us” shouldn’t just be a protest slogan. It is a principle we live by and put into practice against every external AND internal threat against community members.
When abusers are allowed to abuse in private we give them power to continue to abuse and manipulate.
When abusers are allowed to abuse in private we give them power to continue to abuse and manipulate.
When these abusers are individuals with influence and power the negative affects of this are exacerbated.
Power dynamics are always in play wherever there is abuse and manipulation. Bringing the public into the equation helps level the playing field so to speak.
Power dynamics are always in play wherever there is abuse and manipulation. Bringing the public into the equation helps level the playing field so to speak.
Exposing public figures takes courage & every time the public (or fans/friends of the accused) lash out in defense, they are helping to cement the stigma that victims of abuse are just petty people who are taking out their hurt or resentment by tearing down someone of prominence.
2. “I’m just waiting for evidence”
Now at face value there is nothing wrong with seeking evidence for a claim however this is often weaponized intentionally against the victim bc they are often don’t have the resources or the “clout” to present the kind of evidence that is...
Now at face value there is nothing wrong with seeking evidence for a claim however this is often weaponized intentionally against the victim bc they are often don’t have the resources or the “clout” to present the kind of evidence that is...
...”convincing enough” to the public who are trusting of the one accused.
Idk that it’s necessary to address the WHY behind the fact that parasocial relationships are often strong enough to trump someone’s empathy, good judgment or rationality but this is often the case when...
Idk that it’s necessary to address the WHY behind the fact that parasocial relationships are often strong enough to trump someone’s empathy, good judgment or rationality but this is often the case when...
...online figures such as AntiFashGordon are accused of abusive behavior.
The phrase “believe women” or more broadly the call to believe victims of abuse, is not saying that there are never cases in which abuse allegations are manufactured (tho this is extremely rare) but...
The phrase “believe women” or more broadly the call to believe victims of abuse, is not saying that there are never cases in which abuse allegations are manufactured (tho this is extremely rare) but...
...rather is attempting to communicate the idea that every accusation needs to be taken seriously and heard. It means that we need to recognize the power imbalance that I mentioned earlier and take into account how those imbalances play into the factors behind why a victim...
...chose (or chose not) to speak out when they did. It is attempting to give them the space and safety to speak their experiences, accusations and grievances. It is a means for victims to seek justice and reparation.
You do NOT get to put people in danger while you...
You do NOT get to put people in danger while you...
...”wait for evidence.” We act NOW to protect the community and secondly seek substantive evidence to affirm the accusations and to further inform our response to such behavior.
Don’t let the search for evidence be the grounds for ignoring abuse.
Don’t let the search for evidence be the grounds for ignoring abuse.
3. “I know this person. They would never do that.”
It is undeniably the case that most abuse comes from people we know and/or trust. THIS is the very reason they have access and often the ability to abuse and manipulate with impunity for so long.
Your personal interaction...
It is undeniably the case that most abuse comes from people we know and/or trust. THIS is the very reason they have access and often the ability to abuse and manipulate with impunity for so long.
Your personal interaction...
...with someone has nothing to do with their ability to abuse someone else.
This is why parents, teachers, pastors and others in positions of authority and other social status privileges get away with abusive behavior.
You can’t “vouch away” the accusations of abuse.
This is why parents, teachers, pastors and others in positions of authority and other social status privileges get away with abusive behavior.
You can’t “vouch away” the accusations of abuse.
4. “This is just a personal vendetta”
I touched on this a bit in number one but it bears repeating.
Someone’s personal feelings towards someone else has absolutely nothing to do w/ the validity of the accusations of abuse. Either it happened or it didn’t.
Trying to concoct...
I touched on this a bit in number one but it bears repeating.
Someone’s personal feelings towards someone else has absolutely nothing to do w/ the validity of the accusations of abuse. Either it happened or it didn’t.
Trying to concoct...
...a personal grudge narrative in order to obfuscate the facts behind the abusive behavior is not only disingenuous but also sinister.
The reason people attempt to delegitimize allegations in this manner is because it muddies the water just enough to allow the public to...
The reason people attempt to delegitimize allegations in this manner is because it muddies the water just enough to allow the public to...
...disengage in the story and chalk it all up to “personal beef.”
Now I know that there are other objections that people have whenever there are accusations of abuse but these are the ones I’ve seen surrounding the recent abuse allegations against AntiFashGordon.
Now I know that there are other objections that people have whenever there are accusations of abuse but these are the ones I’ve seen surrounding the recent abuse allegations against AntiFashGordon.
If you feel that I have misrepresented something or someone or should have added something else to this thread please let me know.
Remember, we protect us.
Remember, we protect us.
