For several days since he reactivated his FB account he has been receiving a lot of encouraging, empathetic, and wonderful support on his Wall and various status'; however being a controversial figure in the Feminist movement he also has many detractors who couldn't resist but piling on. At first I was only slightly annoyed that these people were doing this but the Professor himself said that he didn't think reactivating his FB would come along with only encouragement and no hate.
Fast forward a few days to last night and his cryptic status' became quickly deciphered by those close to him as being preludes to a suicide attempt. Many people were very upset, understandably so, and offered helpful comments, which shouldn't surprise anyone. There were also several people who took the chance to call the authorities and keep those of us who cared in the know as to what was going on. Again, this shouldn't be all that surprising. But, there were other people. Those who couldn't help themselves I suppose, who did not post nice, supportive, empathetic, or concerned comments. No, no one told him; "Good, kill yourself, you deserve it" etc, nothing that obviously hateful or spiteful. But the amount of underhanded, thinly veiled, backhanded, or otherwise hidden insults and jabs were appalling. I know this person upset many people in the Feminist movement, I know he was a polarizing figure, but he is a human being. I know he did wrong, I know he was imperfect, and yet I still know he is only human. Last night he wasn't treated like one.
Here are a few examples of the comments that were so disgusting I can't even call them trolling, the people who posted them so degenerate that I can't justify calling them only trolls. There were other comments, many much worse, that are no longer available for viewing. I can only assume they were flagged, justifiably so, as inappropriate and the automated Facebook bots took to taking them down.
I'm just glad he took his iPhone with him to update us on his progress
All I can say is, what about all the women who were his victims? What about the woman he almost killed? What about all the students he sexually violated and were victims of his abuse of power? What about all the women? I don't give a damn about him, but I wonder about his wife. Imagine being married to this abusive, creeepy crawler! Geez women, what about all the women he has harmed!!!!!
Why is it so important for him to be on fb, I believe you can deal with the voices offline... Lol omg he is character. A movie of his life would be interesting.
you're just hiding behind your supposed mental issues take responsibility for your life and move forward; stop being a coward. nobody cares about your mental issues there's people in the world with worse worse situations than your sex addictions. stop looking and talking about porn and help people in need. feel the pain of your children
Wow, he has stooped to a new low...why do you insist on living your life publicly? Oh! I know because the people here buy into your shit!
It saddens me to see people out there who would truly benefit from the wonderful mental care he has access to, yet he chooses to make a mockery of the whole situation by going on facebook. If he were really under the constant supervision he claimed t o be under there would be no way he would have access to any form of social media.
These were posted on his wall, today after he had been admitted for psych evaluation (yes his admittance is public knowledge):
As someone who has lived through a psychological breakdown, first-hand, I hold a healthy skepticism concerning the truthfulness of what is being reported on here... specifically when it's being authored by the sufferer himself. I say this because I can vividly remember the darkness I felt surrounding my world on those worst of days, not yet even 30 months behind me.
Lots of people are going to write lots of nonsense on your wall; most of them will be doing so with good intent. However, if you actually want some help, and all your chaotic behavior isn't just a smokescreen, send me a message.
I suppose in the age of Social Media we are all entitled to simply judge everyone else completely and then aid them in breaking down emotionally and attempting suicide. I am glad I live in a time where it is so easy for those who judge others to offer their expert opinions and break people down even further.
Unless you are an actual victim of this person it is not for you to forgive him or not, judge him at his worst and darkest or not. If you are one of those people who posted thinly veiled insults and provocations on his wall you are a bully. I hope you feel proud, strong, and vindicated because that is all it is a feeling. You are not strong, you're pride is a false pride, and your vindication hollow. You are weak, evil, and void of the most basic human principles. You are a bully.
Last night I witnessed cyber bullying first hand for the first time, and it wasn't committed by children or teenagers. It wasn't committed by those who the media lambaste, correctly so, on a regular basis for cyber bullying. It was committed by those of us in society who are supposed to know better. It was committed by adults and I am ashamed I am forced to say I share adulthood with you.
Links to relevant articles:
Schadenfreude
http://www.stopbullying.gov/cyberbullying/
http://cyberbullying.us/
http://www.stopcyberbullying.org/
