On Fandom Bullying, Harassment and Abuse.
there isnt much that has not already been said, but I will say this one last thing.
When Liam first mentioned about his struggles during the band days, what struck me the most was how invisible it was for the outside world. He was an image of maturity and leadership. And no one knew the toll it took on him.
When we lost Liam, I had naive hope that this fandom would have some kindness towards rest of the boys, but especially Louis now. Because lets be real, he is the picture of leadership and control and strength. And I hoped that people would give him the grace to be human.
And lately, I've been proven wrong again and again. The number of people who are comfortable in hurling verbal and emotional abuse at him is alarming. All the while claiming to be better, more moral and kinder than him, because after all, these "fans" only want to fight closeting, they're only fighting for what's right. their means of cruelty, judgement and abuse justify the ends, whatever those might be.
and it doesn't stop at Louis, of course it doesn't. If you can't accept or see how horrible and invasive the level of abuse directed at his sisters is, that ignorance is a privilege. Those young girls do not have such comforts. Even their tiny kids aren't spared. So many people have crossed boundaries to casually reference little children and their lives.
If you believe he is closeted, being angry at Louis for being closeted is a choice. "Fans" can delete social media accounts, turn off their phones, stan other morally pure popstars, and go on with their lives. HE will still be closeted. HE will still be living that life. please do explain how it is more tiring for you to see it than it is for him to live it.
And if Louis tries to set boundaries on his loved ones, his family, he is again at fault. btw, saying that he only had a chat two weeks ago, so he has no right to say that twitter can be toxic? please do try to self reflect how victim blaming that language is.
Liam was this world's punching bag for 15 years and we all knew for atleast 5 of those years that it took huge mental toll on him. What would be enough for the "fans" now? Do you expect Louis to court pity and sympathy? He isnt the type to want that. Do you expect him to own and accept he is part of a ruthless machinery of music industry which limits his life in ways we will never know? You know thats not possible.
you simply dont have to be a fan. but I wish people would find a way to not be this cruel to him and his sisters every single day. All in the name of knowing better about what he should do, when you don't even have 1% insight into what his life is. There are so many other people to stan, "fans" could simply choose to walk away, but constantly harassing him and being so, so judgmental and unkind to him is such a waste of time and life.
He may be strong, and he may seem smiley and happy, but he is still a real person. And the constant verbal abuse would affect anyone. "Fans" dont even have a twitter profie in their own real names connected to their jobs, but they want him to put his life, family, career, and safety on line to live upto impossible standards set by ever hungrier "fans".
This is not a fanfic where you can write fluff and morally correct scenarios. He is a real living human being facing his own challenges that you know nothing about, living his life the best he can. Allow him grace to just be human. Let him live.
for the love of any shred of good in this world, please, please let him live.
