The word “u.g.l.y” was used by an Internet troll to describe a picture of a blogger’s precious little boy. It is also what caused an incredible backlash. Her response to a stranger’s comment of “U.g.l.y” on a photo of her infant with Down syndrome was this:
Since I started blogging about Quinn’s disabilities, I knew this day would come. On the Internet, there is no shortage of trolls who hide behind a screen name to be cruel, and I have seen their animosity many times before. Uninformed comments abound on the news story about the theft of $10,000 worth of technology from the Down Syndrome Association of Houston’s offices.
“How will they learn to count potatoes?” wondered one user. According to another, wasting computers on “retards” was meaningless in the first place, and the organization deserved to be looted. Although offensive, these comments only highlight people’s hate-fueled stupidity and are not worth my time.
Whenever I read them, I cringe, but I realize there’s not much I can do.
However, you directly attacked my son last Saturday, and instead of being outraged, I would like to offer you some advice: Don’t be stupid. Your actions will come back to bite you.
I don’t want to draw any conclusions about you, but I imagine you don’t realize the helplessness that parents feel when caring for an infant with respiratory problems. Last week, Quinn was feeling unwell, but by Friday he was feeling much better. After school, we decided to relax on the lawn and enjoy the sunshine.
My favorite thing in this world is watching your recently-ill child smile, so I took a few pictures to commemorate his recovery and shared them on Instagram with the hashtag “#downsyndrome.” I enjoy looking over those images in my spare time since those kids are so adorable. JusesCrustHD, you obviously feel differently because you found this photo and posted a simple comment:
U.g.l.y.
I don’t mind if you think my child is ugly. It’s your right to express yourself.”
However, it is both juvenile and sad that you purposefully search #downsyndrome for photographs to insult (unfortunately, Quinn was not the only one affected by your conduct; I encountered many more heated responses).
“Your page contains a lot of nasty posts and crude statements.”
“You get bent out of shape when many people call you out on your bigotry in one of these photos, which features two kids with Down syndrome and the term ‘witard.'”
You say it was all in good fun and that people should relax. How about if we went out of our way to find photos of our children? What about the fact that your anger tainted a beautiful photograph of my son? This is no joke. It’s cyberbullying. Your profile has been flagged.
My son has been dismissed because he is unique before. It won’t be the last time someone makes a joke about him, but targeting real people to ridicule is harsh. That’s inexcusable.
I understand your desire to watch me get riled up over your little “joke.” To be honest, it’s hard not to be upset about it, but I can’t carry that burden alone. It makes me sad to see someone with so little decency.
It is ultimately you who will bear the brunt of your decisions. Most people won’t put up with your retrograde thinking, and you’ll eventually rant to the wrong person. You probably already have, which is why you hide behind a pseudonym.
I experienced plenty of vicious adolescent males during my youth, adolescents who enjoyed pranks and jokes at other people’s expense. There were even a few aimed at me, but it gave me a tough skin and allowed me to grow from it.
Hence, I’m willing to let this one go; I know where most of those lads ended up, and it’s not a place I’d want to be. I’ve taught students just like you who failed miserably.
Go for a walk outside. Read a book. Compliment someone. The most important thing to do is to educate yourself; the world is already full of cruelty, and anyone who is worth their salt should be trying to make it better.
I merely hope that my children will be able to see through insensitive remarks and actions and to treat others with decency and respect. We all deserve it, including you.
Sincerely,
A Proud Mama.
0 Comments