‘Why I troll’ – one Twitter user defends causing offence

Twitter user @Roken86 is a keen follower of @AngryBritain, really dislikes @EverydaySexism and says people want to say offensive things on Twitter. He thinks we should let them – and he mentions what his mum thinks as well.

Why are people so offensive online?

“It depends what you mean by offensive. Being offended and the word “offensive” have lost all meaning. When you see the threats, that’s problematic. But some of the other stuff, I just don’t see that people have any right to be offended by it.

“I don’t think the majority of names are that offensive. If you look at a comedian today, pretty much anything any comedian says would be found offensive. People just can take offence at anything.”

So what about the comments to women over the weekend – comments to Mary Beard or Everyday Sexism – why do people say abusive words like that online?

“The main reason people say words like that is that they are frustrated that they can’t say what they think. If you include certain words like that, you get attention from it.”

Roken says that using “offensive” words such as some used to Mary Beard or Everyday Sexism, means that people who feel they aren’t getting heard, get heard very quickly.

@annadoble completely agree.. threats and abuse is wrong.. being offended is the new “I dont agree” which is what makes us great

— The Real Jesus (@roken86) July 30, 2013

“People don’t really have a voice any more. When there’s a new government policy, everyone has an open say on Twitter, but no-one gets heard. The government’s slogan is that everyone is in it together. But we’re not and most people don’t get heard.

“For example the head of strategy at our council didn’t reply to my emails. Then I sent him 400 emails in one hour, and I did get a reply. That is one way people wanting to be heard can get a response.”

But you understand that some people may find some words offensive because of their position? For example what’s not offensive to a 20 year-old man might be offensive to a 50 year old woman?

“I don’t think the current law is too far wrong – anything that is a threat is a problem. It is difficult though that what is not offensive here in Manchester, might be offensive in Liverpool or somewhere else.

“It’s a difficult one, I have a similar conversation with my mum. When my mum was brought up, you didn’t swear in front of your parents. When I’m with my mum, if I swear, she’ll be offended. I don’t think she is offended though. I think it’s just her preference that I use different words.

What’s the problem with Everyday Sexism (a project using Twitter to record sexist episodes experienced by women)?

“My problem with Everyday Sexism is that it’s ‘I’m a woman, I’m a victim, you’re a man, you’re guilty by default’ that’s as bad to women as it is to men. When people like @AngryBritain disagree with them. They block them.”

What about the suggestion that abusive tweets can create an atmosphere that silences people through fear…

“I don’t get that. If someone is getting abusive tweets, then why would they not just reply to them? If they’ve got a valid argument then why would they not just stick behind it. They are silencing themselves because someone said that to them.”