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Years ago, I received an irate email regarding opinions expressed in print. It didn’t start with ‘No offence, but’, so I guess it was an offensive email even if no one was offended by it.
Ironically, the gist of the email was that some of the opinions expressed were ‘offensive,’ to people other than the sender. The sender had taken Umbridge on behalf of others. I would say this means the sender had appropriated someone else’s offence.
I can think of little more insulting than someone else (effectively) telling me how aggrieved I should feel.
Another more recent email reminded me of this. Similarly, a ‘white knight’ was taking offence on behalf of others. Importantly, such people aren’t trolls but they (often inadvertently) feed them.
People in the public eye cop a bit of stick. In particular, our elected officials are lampooned by media. In some ways, this is a good thing, as bad things have happened (and are happening) when media dares not take a pop at public servants.
Having said that, we walk a fine line. It’s a little like playfighting – just as it is between politicians, left versus right – sometimes we play too rough and sometimes we don’t realise that we’ve gone too far until it’s too late.
Most of us would probably like to think we have thick skins and can handle the jandal, but some weaselly, nasty, spiteful comments I’ve seen online are just disgusting – these are the trolls who take pleasure in other people’s pain. The intention is clearly to cause offense.
I think that’s the line, is there intention? However, that can be near impossible to prove. Offence is a feeling and it’s impractical (even impossible) to police emotions, but we can try not to overstep, and when we go too far, there is something we should all do – say sorry.
So, sorry to everyone I’ve offended – not sorry to those who hijack other people’s offence – and if you haven’t felt slighted by me yet, it doesn’t mean you won’t.
As an infamous Aussie comedian said:
“Now look, if you don’t cop a mention in this song, [expletive deleted] put your hand up at the end of it and I’ll work on it, alright?” – Kevin Bloody Wilson.
Jon Rawlinson
PS: This little ditty really was penned under a bare bulb – yep, I need to fix that – but not in my Mum’s basement.
