Cyberbullying is unfortunately a major issue in the world, as many people hide behind their keyboards to throw insults at others. Sadly, blogger and journalist Melissa Blake, was recently targeted by hateful internet users, but she is not taking it lying down.
Melissa is a disabled journalist who writes about absolutely everything from sex and relationships to talking about her disability. When one of her columns was recently discussed on a YouTube channel, the predictable hateful comments came flooding in.
Melissa decided to share screenshots of the comments online along with the caption, “Reminder that this is what it’s like to be a disabled woman writer on the internet AND #ThisIsAmerica in 2019.”
The irony here is that not one of the commenters were confident enough to post their own pictures. Melissa was not afraid to fire back at them on Twitter.
“During the last round of trollgate, people said that I should be banned from posting photos of myself because I’m too ugly,” she tweeted along with photos of herself. “So I’d just like to commemorate the occasion with these three selfies.”
During the last round of trollgate, people said that I should be banned from posting photos of myself because I’m too ugly. So I’d just like to commemorate the occasion with these 3 selfies… ???? pic.twitter.com/9ZuSYFOtwv
— Melissa Blake (@melissablake) September 7, 2019
Melissa’s post has quickly gone viral, as she has gotten support from people all over the globe.
“You’re beautiful and even more important, kind, smart, inspiring, funny and talented,” commented one person. “Anyone who calls you ugly has a stain on their soul. Shame on them.”
Melissa has previously discussed the online abuse she has received on her blog.
“The dig at my journalism credentials doesn’t bother me, but you know what?? I’m getting so tired of people (read: men) thinking it’s OK to insult a woman’s appearance,” she wrote. “Yes, my disability makes me look different. Trust me, I know that. I’ve known that my entire life.”
“And people wonder why I’ve struggled so much with self-acceptance when it comes to how I look and our society’s notion of what ‘beautiful’ is,” she continued. “It’s because of comments like these — comments that dismiss me and deem me unworthy. This is just one more example of the type of ableism that people with disabilities face every day and it’s something I’m constantly trying to change.”
We applaud Melissa for accepting who she is and for having the courage to fire back at her abusers. Stay strong, Melissa!
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