Women, Action, and the Media is holding its sixth annual WAM!NYC Feminist Media Conference today at Barnard College, “devoted to elevating issues of race, gender, and class in the media” and promising “a diverse group of people” in a welcoming space.
Among other offerings, Zerlina Maxwell and two others hosted a panel entitled, “Trouncing Trolls in Five Easy Steps: Problems and Solutions in Online Harassment.” The obvious question from those who weren’t able to attend is, what exactly do feminists consider online harassment? This?
https://twitter.com/rsmccain/status/612329593610072064
@rsmccain @ZerlinaMaxwell @jennpozner @jamiaw @BarnardCollege Only feminists would need a panel for dealing with trolls…
— Deep State Agent ? (@JRGBlizzard) June 20, 2015
https://twitter.com/rsmccain/status/612337112063569921
Trolling our panel on trolling like a child RT @JRGBlizzard: @rsmccain Only feminists would need a panel for dealing with trolls…
— Zerlina Maxwell (@ZerlinaMaxwell) June 20, 2015
@ZerlinaMaxwell @JRGBlizzard @rsmccain They are cowards.
— Joan Walsh (@joanwalsh) June 20, 2015
https://twitter.com/rsmccain/status/612340927403851776
.@joanwalsh @ZerlinaMaxwell @JRGBlizzard @rsmccain PANEL: "How to challenge the absurdity of feminists without being accused of harassment"
— TheRightWingM ?? (@TheRightWingM) June 20, 2015
Salon editor-at-large Joan Walsh joined in the conversation, asserting that using Twitter’s “block” feature is a sign of strength somehow — not to mention a way to condense the five easy steps in trouncing trolls to one even easier step.
Blocking isn't cowardice, sad trolls. It's strength. You have nothing to do with our lives. You take up space meant for others.
— Joan Walsh (@joanwalsh) June 20, 2015
@joanwalsh Why are we cowards? For speaking out?
— Deep State Agent ? (@JRGBlizzard) June 20, 2015
Also sad trolls I say: find some women who care what you think. Or is that the problem?
— Joan Walsh (@joanwalsh) June 20, 2015
The more likely problem is finding that rare feminist who is willing to entertain a different point of view.
@joanwalsh Dismissing alternate views as the result of sexual frustration…is this what u learn at those panels? @rsmccain #FeminismIsAwful
— Deep State Agent ? (@JRGBlizzard) June 20, 2015
@joanwalsh Astounding hypocrisy you got going there. Impressive.
— Red Dirt Ready (@SwTkthe1) June 20, 2015
https://twitter.com/rsmccain/status/612340927403851776
Lizz Winstead, founder of Lady Parts Justice, suggests that sad trolls step away from their keyboards and put their hands to some other use. She’s not trolling, though — by definition, professional funny people like Winstead cannot troll; their observations are satire, not trolling.
Think about the lack of imagination and worse lack of social life one must have to troll #WAMnyc #GoMasturbateLikeANormalBoredPerson
— Lizz "Hollywood Death Cult" Winstead (@lizzwinstead) June 20, 2015
#WAMNYC is beyond criticism?
"This is a free speech issue for the people who are harassed." @jennpozner #WAMNYC #trouncingtrolls
— Rachel Hills (@rachelhills) June 20, 2015
Only women allowed to exercise "Free Speech"are those who agree w #Feminist message. #WAMNYC@rachelhills @jennpozner pic.twitter.com/TRyqC4EAfS
— Mina | Join the #NRA (@minasmith64) June 20, 2015
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