In the light of a young artist being driven to attempt suicide by a Tumblr lynch mob because she didn’t draw a fictional character like they wanted to, I would like to remind my followers - especially my youngest - of some security advices:
Tumblr is not a safe space. Internet never is in general, but the hive-mind tendency of Tumblr makes it so that people here feel justified in their hateful behaviours, shielding themselves behind a “noble cause” and excusing their insults and harassments for “the greater good”.
To avoid a situation where you are arbitrarily deemed “problematic” and be placed in an escalating drama situation, please, PLEASE,
Please turn your Anon asks off at all times !
Yes I know it’s sad you’ll have less funny anon-ask-memes, and less kind stranger messages, but nasty people will think twice before talking shit.
That way you can also deal with them privately - or not at all - and avoid a possible escalation of drama with their buddies reblogging and creating a snowball effect of people who’ll gang up on to you.
If you feel up for revealing their nastiness to your followers : don’t answer with more than a sentence to a rude, unpolite person. The more you write, the more you give them attention, the more material you give them to tear you apart. Even better : deal with them with humor - a gif is always the best answer.
The block button is your friend, you never need a reason to block someone; if you don’t like them, get them out. Sometimes those people won’t be upfront with insults, they’ll use emotional blackmail and twisted “explanations” in attempt to make you feel bad. If they do, it means they’re doing it wrong, no matter their cause - you don’t need those preachers in your internet-life.
And never forget that you win an internet argument by not participating in it, if you feel this is rustling up your jimmies : close the computer, talk a walk in a park, watch a movie, imagine your hater waiting for your answer behind their sad computer, and laugh as you delete their message.
Stay safe on this god-forsaken place,
Love, Poly.