#WomenBoycottTwitter – what makes otherwise easy going women to call for a boycott?

That some twitter users can be toxic, is a given.

That as a woman you face abuse for being a woman, in addition to being a woman and having views is also given.

But, having twitter suspend you (the woman) instead of those abusing you is not acceptable. And, twitter had this to say.

Men or anon handles threatening to rape, murder, send people to gas chambers, are not suspended. and women are, based on a set of rules that is not transparent.

 

Rose McGowen who has been tweeting about the Harvey Weinstein sexual harassment / rape/ molestation case, had her posting rights suspended. It was like the old boy’s club banded together to stop more skeletons come tumbling out – already, actor Ben Affleck (who you last saw in the superman v/s batman film as batman), is in the crossfire.  The staying off twitter, is in response to twitter blocking her posting rights. (Before you ask me what i did when person x, whose views you support, got their rights suspended – i can’t protest everything, but, you go right ahead, and you have my moral support. )

While this is not a story that concerns India, it is an issue that is rampant here too. Ever ask yourself where the TVF story went ? or the scoopwhoop one ? Ever wondered what happens in the film industries of India ? What you have is a code of silence. Those who raise their voices, disappear from the industries.

I stand in solidarity with my sisters worldwide (and it feels good to say this line). I don’t normally boycott things, but today is an exception.

There are women saying, it will achieve nothing, that the abusers will abuse.

I agree the abusers wont stop their abuse. And, my fight is not with those who abuse – they don’t know any better. If anything i feel pity for them and the lives they lead.

But, corporates need to know, that women can band together – across boundaries – to demand just one thing – we don’t expect you to do anything for us, but don’t penalise us for being us.

 

(and my plugins post automatically to social platforms. that is why you will see this on your feed. I am truly off twitter for the day. ).