Cassie Clare Takes a Stand Against Bullying & Address Hate Blogs

October is Bullying Prevention month, and myself along with TMI Source, the Mortal Institute, Mortal Instruments News and few other fans sites have all posted about the topic of bullying (click on the links to read the articles). The most moving post on bullying comes today from Cassandra Clare, who's recently been the target of much hate and cyber bullying. I've posted a few excerpts from her post below, but I highly recommend reading her entire post here.

So why did I make this post? Because you *are* so great because you make fanart/gifs/cosplay/write book reviews/post pictures of yourselves looking pretty. Because it’s hard to put yourself out there, to put any creative work or any part of your personality out where it can be judged (and it will be!) Because it’s hard to tell people how you really feel. Because though I really do believe that cyberbullies strike out because they feel powerless, those faceless/nameless ask box comments telling you that you are ungrateful, should be punished, don’t deserve good things, are scary and awful. Because though it doesn’t mean you’re weak to feel hurt by this stuff, I want you to take away from this that sure, this hurts my feelings, but I’m okay. I’m fine. I have a great life. I have a great marriage (My husband’s comment my deciding to make this post was “I see you have decided to take on the most galactically awful people on the Internet, GOOD IDEA”) I have great friends (who are not actually using me for profit and gain, because that’s not actually how people act, and as I pointed out before, they’d have to be psychic) and I do exactly the job that I want to do: telling stories, and trying to make them good ones. And I have you guys. And I have my own voice, my chance to talk. If you take away one thing from this, it’s that when you are being cyberbullied or harassed, don’t feel that you need to stay silent out of shame or because trolls shouldn’t be fed. Talk about what’s happening to you. Expose what the bullies are saying, because when you write it down in the clear light of day, it looks just as revolting as it is (“Cassandra Clare acts like she can say anything because she’s Jewish” .) And take harassment to the proper authorities to deal with. Many, many people have told me that Tumblr is unresponsive to instances of harassment and threats, but try anyway: if you’re under 18, go to your parents, if you’re over 18, consider legal advice; either way consult any of these sites: www.ncpc.org, Cyberbullying.us, www.stopbullyingnow.com for good information on what to do.

I’ll only add that I don’t want anyone taking on the hate bloggers or arguing with them to defend me, or to defend my books. There’s no point, it actually does encourage them, and your job online is to have fun, not come to my defense. Put down the inner Jace (“I will kill everyone!”) and channel the inner Alec (“I don’t think that’s a good idea, dude.”) Consider how absolutely ridiculous hate blogs look to pretty much anyone who isn’t really familiar with the topic in question. ( I googled “Pioneer Woman hate blog” because it was mentioned in the hate bloggers article I linked to that such blogs existed and I couldn’t think of what anyone could possible hate about a woman who posts lasagna recipes to the internet — and I’m still not exactly sure after reading it, but I have come to understand that to some people, including crushed Oreos in a recipe is a deeply serious crime. I have also come to understand that these are not people I ever want to know.) I know you’re thinking, “But wait, I thought you were saying to speak up and not be silenced!” I do want you to speak up, especially considering that October is Anti-Bullying month — speak up about bullying in general, about your own experiences and friend’s experiences, about the appropriate venues to go to for help with bullying and harassment, and if you are getting hateful messages, don’t feel ashamed: go ahead and publicize them, say “This is what people are saying to me.” But don’t engage with harrassers: they see that as legitimization of their behavior. Be better than them. It’s not a high bar. :-)

Take a deep breath every time you think about engaging, and do something positive instead — post a gif, write about a book you like, reach out to someone who’s been bullied, post a picture of yourself looking pretty/fierce/badass/awesome. If you’re a TMI fan, have fun with the fact that we’re starting to get movie photos and reports, and then there’ll be a teaser, and then a trailer, and basically the next year should be a big jar of candy for Shadowhunters. :)

I have never talked to the hate bloggers, and have no plans to ever talk about the them again, but I refuse to be shamed or silenced by them. After taking a hiatus, I decided that I am going to go right on doing what I was doing before : interacting with you guys, posting snippets, and answering your questions.  I’ll be onset next week, so expect hands! :-