I was disturbed yesterday after a conversation I had on the internet with a new acquaintance over sexuality, roles of men & women in society, action and intention over using a term like Rapist. It all started rather weirdly after being asked by him if I would meet him for a conversation. Since he was a stranger I joked I would meet him if he's not a serial killer. To which, he responded, he is not a serial killer but a serial rapist which left me rather shocked. I asked him about his casual reference and usage of the term, and he replied saying he pitied me for my brooding over using a term about which he said he had no bad intention. I wonder if there is a good intention of ever using a term such as Rapist? What followed was a rather maligning attempt by him over my capabilities of lame justifications I would be doing in my life. This is how women are abused, silenced and tormented in internet world by men.
If these statements made by men do not qualify as a potential rapist threat, I don't know what does. Who gives men with such vulgar mentality these rights to defame women on the internet? This acquaintance incidentally is a friend of my friend. When I told my friend about this incidence, she told me to brush it off, ignore him and not talk further. How is my doing all of this going to stop the perverse nature trail of thoughts this person possesses from using it on some other girl or woman? Needless to say I feel so wronged but why did I give someone the power to abuse me on the internet is a question that I have no answer. I am not like this. I don't trust people quickly. I never trust strangers, especially not on the internet but this guy had a small little advantage that we had a mutual friend and that's why I trusted this little detail and initiated a conversation. Clearly a mistake. What has this taught me? Do not trust strangers- yes, but also do not trust someone only by the fact that they are acquaintances of people we already know and are our good friends. Because this logic doesn't process with every person or situation. I have been a strong advocate of calculated friendships and acquaintances on social networking websites and yet I got fooled and misled by the very same word trick I am so cautious about and urge others to be. I definitely think it was a good lesson. Sometimes people are not who they claim to be or don't come across as how they are because everybody maintains two faces - one for social media and the other who they really are. And this is a cautionary tale because unfortunately the onus for every wrong is on women in our country.
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