Recently, I was the victim of some venomous, vindictive and spiteful comments on one of my images.
Lusty comments are par for the course here and I’ve taken all kinds of pleasure in the wide variety of them - as well as others - that I’ve received throughout my time on NN. I know that plenty of my viewers don’t comment and that’s OK. I’m not seeking adulation. Nor do I think that what I post is everyone’s thing. After all, when it comes to sex and sexuality, is there anything more alluring, individualistic and complex?
This blog is about the haters. I’ve had enough. Each of them hides behind a coward’s castle of anonymity with their bogus, blank profiles, waiting to spew their poisonous bile on those of us who post. They derive pleasure from belittling both them, as well as those who go out of their way to express their appreciation by commenting in an affirmative way. Why not simply enjoy what this site has to offer?
As some of you know, a huge effort goes into the planning, shooting, editing, captioning and posting of the images in my gallery. So when I encounter derogatory and aggressive comments that are written in an attempt to intimidate me, I have no qualms about blocking and reporting those individuals immediately. I'm happy as hell to strike back at these trolls.
But it still stings to read this sludge. Deletion doesn’t cushion the blow that comes with an anonymous hate-filled message. The part of me that has chosen to put myself out there strictly as a form of creative self-expression - in order to bring people pleasure - is hurt. To think some people enjoy this targeting is incomprehensible.
Imagine opening your email and getting messages like these. If you know anyone who has experienced on-line abuse, you know how it wounds them. Maybe it can be rationalised away, but these things smart.
To admit this might be cutting off my nose to spite my face. But I know that in the grand scheme of things, these people are insignificant and their gutless actions speak volumes about them, not me.
I am not some virtual digital ghost. I am as real as you and those you hold dear. To paraphrase, if you cut me, do I not bleed?
I know that there are people out there who look out for and support me. I thank each and every one of my Praetorian Guard. You know who you are.
To the haters, I have no intention of crawling away with my tail between my legs. My gallery will continue to thrive.