I don’t know why sometimes I have the urge to make a comment on a YouTube video. I know what will happen. I don’t know what insanity makes me believe this time there could be some better outcome.

Anyone here ever heard of Rebecca Watson, or Elevatorgate? It has to do with feminism, and folks who HATE feminism, and an awful lot of name-calling within the online Atheist community. It has raised a lot of awareness. Unfortunately, most of what we’re aware of now is that the world is full of assholes who hate any woman who has the audacity to expect respectful interactions with men. Such women are labelled with every horrible name you can imagine. I have now joined that sisterhood of women that some men feel entitled to shit all over.

I hope it doesn’t need to be said that I really am not a bitch. I’m always respectful in my conversations, even in debates with folks who seriously disagree with me. I’m fine with others having a different perspective. But on YouTube if you’re on a thread talking about feminism you are automatically treated by most commentors as fair game for any nasty name or baiting trick they can pull. Then if you answer back, you’re called MORE names. If you don’t answer back, you’re called MORE names. It’s a no-win situation.

I have two people in that thread who are speaking with me rationally. One is on my side, the other not. I consider both to be friends now, because I like a good conversation. I have ten people on that thread now who have called me bitch, troll, feminazi, whiner, victim, arrogant, over-reactor, and accused me of pepper-spraying them or harassing them. I walk away and say “please don’t talk to me anymore” and they follow me like toilet paper shit-stuck to my shoe. I block them and STILL somehow their messages get through.

This from men who claim women have “nothing to fear” at an atheist convention because sexism and female objectification is “so overrated it doesn’t exist”, except they do believe MEN experience quite a bit of discrimination by evil women like me.

It’s depressing. I love being an atheist. I love my feminist heroes who fight for respect and equality, and who are no more man-haters than I am. I really am saddened that even in my own community so many people have trouble recognizing those are not two opposing camps. Rationality should embrace both. It’s depressing that some people’s rationality only goes part way.

(Apologies to spiritual/religious friends who may ALSO be rational. Just sad at my own community, not trying to diss you.)