Universal Victim

Dear Troll(s),


No attempt is being made here to play your game. This is not addressed to any particular troll, nor toward any group. This is merely a call to the better nature of humanity.

I know you are a person, just like me, sitting at a computer. You have the same needs we all do, one of these being for attention, perhaps another being an outlet for whatever negativity you're feeling. I understand that lashing out at strangers who will never know who you are feels like a safe, perhaps fun, way to meet those needs.

What you don't understand or don't care about is that the person you're lashing out at doesn't deserve your abuse. You are being cruel.

I am as valid as you are. My needs and my feelings matter exactly as much as yours do, even though you'll never meet me.

When you decided to attack my faith and my intelligence, did you know that I have social anxiety? Do you care that I can't debate these topics anymore because of how badly you hurt me just so you could have a laugh?

When you complained about charity work I did, did you know that I spent weeks and many hours at mind-numbing mundane tasks so I could provide you with something fun? Do you care that you ruined how excited I was to help?

When you say anything to hurt me, do you care that the pleasure you feel doing it won't last a hundredth as long as the pain you caused me will?

I know what you're telling yourself. It's my fault for being too sensitive. Tell me, if you punched someone in the face and it left a bruise, is it their fault for bruising too easily?

You do not blame the victim.

You have the right to be selfish. However, you have the social responsibility not to. Freedom should not be considered an invitation to hurt people for your own amusement.

I am a decent person.

I did not deserve what you did to me.