11 Things We Must Protect in 2017

Feminist Internet

Sometimes, when I log onto Twitter or Instagram, I feel a nagging sense of dread. I know who lives there, and which neighbors are the loudest and most invasive, and most often, those are resoundingly conservative, bigoted white people. They yell things at us when we’re not asking for their input, they whine about our progressive opinions and beliefs, and they constantly try to convince us we’re wrong for believing in and upholding the political views we happen to express. Basically, they get SO mad at us for believing a thing they don’t believe, that they then do the exact thing to us they’re constantly claiming liberals are always doing to them. They’re so fun!!!

Anyway, this is all to say that despite all the attacking, all the hateful rhetoric, all the trash queens and kings who’ve taken up residence in the courtyards of some of our favorite and most valued opinion-havers (cough Lindy West cough), the internet is still a wonderful place, because feminism exists here in droves. The minute I receive a hateful comment, five positive comments come at me from Feminist Internet. I peruse my Twitter feed, and the only time I see hateful rhetoric is in the context of a brilliant feminist shutting it down in a mention. Sure, there’s something to be said for the type of experience I’ve curated for myself: why would I see hate if I pointedly don’t follow any haters? But what I’m saying is at least we have another option. In the world, it’s impossible to get away from bigotry, terror, and sad little bullies. On the internet, there are safe spaces, and we have the luxury of choosing them for ourselves. We gotta make sure they stick around for the choosing in 2017, ladies. The power needs to be fought, and at least 68% of “the power” is sad boys behind their keyboards who need to be reminded of their place. Keep reminding, feminist internet. Never change.