11 Things We Must Protect in 2017

Image via Facebook/PantsuitNation

Secret Facebook Groups

Just in the last two days, I have gotten into no less than four tiffs on Facebook with racists, with sexists, with men feigning ignorance in order to make themselves appear innocent and make me, the young woman with whom they’ve chosen to publicly argue, seem stupid. Of course, this is something I (and, I presume, most young female liberals) have gotten used to. It still fires me up, but I write back, carefully, tactfully, intelligently. And then I run over to one of my several secret Facebook groups and I pick those ignorant, spiteful little dudes apart.

Secret Facebook Groups have become the internet equivalent of a safe space, which is a term conservative straight white men hate which makes them THAT MUCH MORE SATISFYING!!! Within them exist private sects of folks with similar interests, beliefs, and convictions, and they provide to those groups a place where sharing with a large number of online readers/viewers becomes empowering and educational, rather than terrifying and vulnerable. One of the most recently popular private groups, which ironically has become quite famous, is Pantsuit Nation- a group created for Hillary Clinton supporters, feminists, allies, and all around nasty women of any sort to come together to share personal stories, to voice concerns, to inform and become informed, and even to organize. It’s a haven; it’s a magical, inclusive place where, when things are said, they are received respectfully, thoughtfully, and with pleasure. It’s like a goddamn bizarro world Candyland internet. And it is a gift straight from goddess above. More of this in 2017. More of this always.