The world can often be an unkind and unforgiving place.
Despite being taught not to judge a book by its cover and that true beauty lies beyond appearances, many still fall victim to cruel bullying solely based on how they look.
Journalist and writer Melissa Blake knows this harsh reality all too well. Her essays on disability, relationships, and pop culture have enlightened and inspired people worldwide, yet she continues to face insults from bullies targeting her appearance.
At 38, Melissa has endured being compared to a “blobfish” and a “potato with a face.” But she wasn’t about to let the haters have the last word.
Melissa Blake and Freeman-Sheldon Syndrome
Melissa was born with Freeman-Sheldon syndrome, a rare genetic condition caused by a mutation that affects the way substances are transferred between cells during development. Over her life, she’s undergone around 25 surgeries and uses a wheelchair for mobility.
One common characteristic of Freeman-Sheldon syndrome is a distinct facial appearance, often including a smaller, pursed mouth and reduced nasal cartilage.
For Melissa, these differences from societal “norms” have made her a target for online abuse. On September 8, she took to Twitter to address the vile comments she’s received. Some trolls compared her to a “blobfish,” while others called her a “potato.”
During the last round of trollgate, people said that I should be banned from posting photos of myself because I’m too ugly. So I’d just like to commemorate the occasion with these 3 selfies… 📸😉👋🏻 pic.twitter.com/9ZuSYFOtwv
— Melissa Blake (@melissablake) September 7, 2019
Facing the Abuse Head-On
One particularly cruel commenter even suggested she should be banned from social media because she’s “too ugly.”
“People wonder why I’ve struggled so much with self-acceptance when it comes to how I look and society’s notion of what ‘beautiful’ is. It’s because of comments like these — comments that dismiss me and deem me unworthy,” Melissa shared.
“[…] This is just one more example of the ableism that people with disabilities face every day, and it’s something I’m constantly trying to change.”
But Melissa didn’t let her tormentors bring her down. Instead, she delivered the perfect clapback to those demanding she stop sharing pictures of herself: she shared even more.
“During the last round of trollgate, people said that I should be banned from posting photos of myself because I’m too ugly. So I’d just like to commemorate the occasion with these 3 selfies…”
An Inspiring Response
Melissa’s tweet had exactly the impact she intended. It has since garnered over 272,000 likes on Twitter, with fans praising her bravery and unwavering confidence.
Moreover, her work has gained even more recognition. The trolls who aimed to belittle her have failed spectacularly.
Bullying has no place in today’s society, and it’s infuriating to think of the cowards hiding behind their screens, tormenting others to mask their own insecurities.