Fanmail

I ask that you please read my previous blog post, “Ex-Girlfriend,” prior to continuing full steam ahead with this one. This particular post is a first for me because it is a direct sequel to its predecessor and would not exist if it were not for the fan-tastic events that occurred this past Sunday, January 20th.

I was sitting where I am now at our dining room table writing what was supposed to be my next post while Lindsey, most recently seen in “Gorgeous,” sat across the table from me working on writing her own story when my phone started lighting up with great fanfare. Quite literally as soon as my phone screen darkened from receiving one notification it would light up again from having received another. I paused my writing to get up and walk across the room to check and see just what all the commotion happened to be and quite a surprise met my eyes: I had received my first ever blog comment from a stranger!

This individual had somehow found my “Ex-Girlfriend” post and was so triggered by my story that they thought I needed to know just what they thought about my work.

This was the first of what would eventually become several similar comments from the same individual. Fortunately for me, I must first approve any comment submitted on my site before it becomes public. When I initially read this I assumed it would be a one-off and an isolated incident, so I sent it straight to the trash, but obviously not without first taking a screenshot. It did not take long though for me to discover just how wrong my assumptions were as more and more fanmail started pouring in. This hailstorm of hatred on my post raged on for over four hours that evening and let me tell you what, I was lovin’ every minute of it.

This is certainly a misrepresentation of events. I am not here to defend myself or my story because anyone who read “Ex-Girlfriend” can clearly read that what this individual is claiming happened most definitely did not. The story – quotations not necessary – speaks for itself. In fact, as more and more of these comments came pouring in it became increasingly clear that none of these individuals actually read the story. They were all clearly attempting to use mob mentality to try and get at me, but little did they know there are very few things I love more in this world than a good old fashioned argument.

You probably read this and thought, what the Hell is an incel? I know I did. So I looked it up, and here’s what I found…

Incel’s are members of an online subculture who define themselves as unable to find a romantic or sexual partner despite desiring one, a state they describe as inceldom. Self-identified incels are largely white and are almost exclusively male heterosexuals.

The first rule of an argument is KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE! In order to successfully insult your opponent you need to ensure that they know the meaning of the word(s) you’re hurling at them. If they don’t understand what you’re saying then what you’re saying is not what you should be saying. Me having to look up this individual’s perceived insult rendered the comment highly ineffective. Also, that’s not even insulting, it’s just weird. Another misstep on this person’s behalf, but I’m guessing they’re not really a bitch, just taking orders from one.

I’ll just leave these here. I guess they thought that because the first barrage of faux-feminism comments didn’t get a rise out of me that maybe insulting my writing would, who knows? I remain unbothered, but obviously I’m petty AF. I screenshot every single one of these with the sole intent of later using them in a future blog post. It would be selfish of me to keep such entertainment all to myself.

You know, I have in fact seen that Gillette commercial and I absolutely love it! I don’t understand the uproar that has arrived as a result of it because I feel like commercials for women are always telling them to be a better version of themselves, but now that there is one directed at men we see all these people throwing tantrums and meltdowns. Insane. The last sentence in this comment though is my personal favorite; I mean, I honestly live for shit like this. I – Benjamin DeShon – am making ALL THE MEN IN THE WORLD look bad because of a blog post I shared. Holy. Shit. I mean to tell you that is some empowering shit right there. There are probably four billion men on this planet and I am singlehandedly making us all look bad right now. I guess I didn’t realize my own strength.

Basically an echo chamber of all the others, so nothing new to add here.

After the comment bombing that my blog received, these individuals took to my author Facebook page, Twitter, and Instagram to further bombard me with more of the same. So much was happening in my social media world during those four hours that I could have been rendered absolutely exhausted from it all, but as arguing is my forte, I was able to direct my energy towards the only individual that mattered: the ringleader.

Another rule of arguing is that when you find yourself combating an entire group one must not exhaust efforts on the lesser individuals. Pinpoint the leader and focus all your energies on them. Typically, the others are mere echoes of the leader anyway, so responding to their attacks will only wear you down. Ignoring them will leave you better suited to take down the leader and emerge as the victor of the quarrel.

Outside of a new post day when I reach well over a 100 views, a typical day for my blog results in anywhere between a dozen and maybe 20 views, so for me to reach 106 views just in the time this was all going down was absolutely incredible! I had to thank that individual for all the buzz they generated for me! After all, there is no such thing as bad press. A view is a view and as I always stand behind my work. I was elated to be receiving so many because of this Social Justice Warrior and their white knight crusade. It should be noted here that several of my other posts did in fact receive some additional views, so whether it was this individual or one of their followers, they heeded my advice!

I’m not sure what was supposed to happen after my 24 hour deadline concluded, but here I am some 48 hours later posting the ringleader’s comments on an all-new post while the one they demanded be taken down remains firmly in place. I would have asked this individual to provide me with more details on their threat, but after sending me a final wave of messages across all social media platforms they swiftly blocked me. This was the ultimate sign of victory I was waiting for. I could have continued combating all night, but their prohibiting me from doing so indicated that they were not quite up to the task. This is another lesson in arguing, never start a fight you do not intend to win.

LET ME MAKE ONE SINGULAR IMPORTANT POINT FROM ALL THIS! This troupe that thought the most important thing in the world on Sunday evening was to relentlessly attack me and try to make an issue from a nonissue are doing an extreme disservice to the cause they believe they’re fighting for. Referring to everything as harassment ensures that nothing is harassment. If one is incapable of differentiating between what may be awkward or uncomfortable and what is truly harassment then the error lies within the accuser, not the accused.

I went and saved the best for last for y’all. There is NO GREATER COMPLIMENT in life than when someone uses your own words towards you. It shows that they were not only listening, but that they loved it enough to use for themselves. I was just tickled when this comment came in midway through the night and knew it had to be my closer because this person truly was a fan.

Well, thank you all for reading! Hopefully my entertaining Sunday night brought you some entertainment just now! I do hope that some of those individuals triggered by my “Ex-Girlfriend” post get the chance to read this one. I’m sure it would mean so much to them to see the comment they assumed would never see the light of day make its way to its very own post. I know it would flatter me!

Well, till next time, I hope you all live SIMPLY THE BEST life ever! Feel free to leave a comment below, but don’t make it nasty, or I’ll have to screenshot it and save it for its own special future post!