Comedian Leslie Nelson returns to twitter after her website was hacked during an attack by people throwing a fit because hate speech isn't allowed on Twitter. Personal information, like her driver's license, was put on full display. Nude photos of her were also leaked and placed on display as well as a video tribute of Harambe the gorilla. Hilarious.
“Ha! That'll show you to be a successful comedian and actress!”
So what exactly was gained in this attack? Are the people behind it proud of themselves? This isn't trolling, this is a hate crime on top of a sex crime. What “lulz” were there to be had by sharing a woman's private information, being incredibly racist about it, and then plastering her private photos like a sexual predator?
Actually, let me take that back. It isn't like a sexual predator. Whoever did this was a sexual predator. Invading someone's privacy and putting their body on display without their consent is a crime, and a sex crime in some states. I don't know about you, but I would say that exploiting someone sexually without their consent is a sex crime regardless of what state you're in. The people behind this are sex offenders. Congratulations. And then comes the nonsensical defense of sexual predators who do this. “If you don't have nudes, they can't get leaked!” I guess that makes sense. If you don't have a credit card, you don't have credit card information to be leaked! Or a social security number for that matter! Logic!
Were people that offended that she had the audacity to... get rid of hate speech on a website where you aren't allowed to have hate speech? Why was this done again? Do people on the internet have the maturity of a twelve year old? There is nothing Leslie Jones could have possibly done to rationalize sexually exploiting her and then comparing her to a gorilla.
People will tell me that it was funny. Whoever this hacker was, they were doing it with a sense of irony. That makes criminal offenses okay. Here's another joke- spending years in a prison where your inmates make every moment a living hell! Don't worry, they're doing it ironically!
"Ha! Good one guys! You really got me!"
This is all on top of the idea that we live in a post racial and post feminist America. This is an attack which I'll assume was partly in response of Leslie being outspoken about racism and feminism. I have to wonder what the logic behind this was.
“Hey! This woman is saying that racism and sexism is an issue! Let's attack her in a sexist, racist way! That will surely prove her wrong!”
The worst part is that most of the hackers behind this are most likely going to get away scot- free. The use of proxies and specific software mean that the people who do these sort of illegal activities can cover their tracks. Like a lot of crimes today, the people responsible will get off with little to no repercussions. Horrible people will continue to be horrible people and people will continue to deny that racially motivated sex crimes against women have anything to do with racism or sexism.
But Ms. Jones has moved past it well. She has returned to Twitter, assuring her fans that she is okay. It's admirable to stand back up after having been victim to a crime based solely on your race and sex. But it doesn't negate the fact that this has happened before and it will happen again.
