The face I make when folks think they can come for me.
I’ve been on the sick and shut-in list this weekend, my sinus infection had me down for the count, and I was popping in and checking emails and social media when I came across this comment on one of my recent Instagram posts.
First of all, the comment had NOTHING to do with the post. This person (the profile is vague af and private) had so many other posts to choose from, posts where I expressed my views on women’s health and reproductive rights but instead, they chose a post where I talking about music. More specifically the National Battle of the Bands competition. I was taught at a young age that there’s a place and time for everything, and an Instagram post about marching bands was not the place to come for my views about women’s health.
I understand that we don’t all have the same views, and I’m aware that my profile is public therefore open to comments like that but if someone’s going to come for me do it correctly. Send me a DM, email or better yet join in on the conversation that was previously started about the topic. I’ve dealt with trolls before, because that’s exactly what this person was, but never on a topic like this. Online trolls are truly a different breed, and they must have me confused with someone younger and/or weaker. I was raised by some very strong women and comments like this don’t phase me.
And while I’m on the topic of folks coming for me, I wanted to address those who do it in a corporate setting. Whether it’s using a belittling tone, not respecting the authority of my role, continuously misspelling my name when it’s right there in my email address, or whatever variation of them. Don’t do it. Don’t come for me because I’m not the one, nor the two. I’ve been in this industry for a while now and know what I’m talking about. Now I won’t be disrespectful in my responses, but please note that you will be corrected and I would hope for your sake that you don’t make that same mistake again. There have been a few memes floating around on corporate clapbacks and thank goodness I haven’t had to use too many of them. A good “per our previous conversation” and attaching email threads never hurt anyone, because y’all know I keep receipts. But this post was mainly for those who like to talk out the side of their neck (a band reference) to me online.
Don’t do it. We can either have a civilized conversation like adults or we don’t have to speak at all. I’m aware that this troll’s post was a tame one, but it triggered me and brought back feelings of anger that some of the more scathing ones I’ve received through the years. As I said, I know that these come having a public profile and that we’re not supposed to feed the trolls but sometimes I have to let them know.
So I retract my statement from earlier. If you’re going to come for me, don’t.