I am now afraid that the Snarl! I wrote last month about digital harrassment may have done some of my readers a grave disservice. Some of the mail I received in response to the piece reflected a mistaken impression that I was saying that having a web page wasn't worth exposing myself to potential harrassing messages from cretins and jerks. Nothing could be further from the truth. I was angry and saddened by the idiot who had been bothering me, sure, but please, please believe me when I say that the benefits to being online so far outweigh the drawbacks that a comparison isn't even worthwhile.Building your own web site is one of the most wonderful, modern, accessible methods of self-expression I can think of. Having a site raises your voice, lets you communicate with like-minded people (men and women both) from around the world. It sharpens your job skills. It's just plain fun. There's a reason why a Do It Yourself section encouraging women to build their own pages has been a part of the NrrdGrrl! web site from very early on-- I want more and more women to get online and to raise their voices and to express their opinions and to flush out and drown out the voices of the cretins and jerks.
So, if my rant gave anyone the wrong idea as to my feelings on this subject, please accept my sincerest apologies. Now get to work!
-Amelia
