The GAA catfish story shows just how vulnerable we all are online
The GAA catfish story shows just how vulnerable we all are online

Edaein OConnell

We need to get off these apps
We need to get off these apps

Holly O'Neill

WIN a KIND Protein goodie bag to keep you nourished this January
WIN a KIND Protein goodie bag to keep you nourished this January

IMAGE

Image / Editorial

This Twitter thread shows why female solidarity always comes out on top


By Erin Lindsay
21st May 2018
This Twitter thread shows why female solidarity always comes out on top

Social media gets a bad rap. Between online trolls, anxiety-inducing Insta-feeds and (shudder) comment sections, we are often told to avoid the online world to safeguard our mental health from its ill effects. But often, online communities can provide much-needed comfort and support, especially for women. And this recent Twitter clapback was the perfect example of just that – women coming together online to offer encouragement (and a lot of laughs).

On Thursday, user @lewisbcfc74 wrote the following about how he was apparently “sick” of girls being nice to each other:

https://twitter.com/lewisbcfc74/status/997102063749345281

While this is a distinctly weird thing to be annoyed about, it sparked off a much more positive response from the rest of Twitter. Lewis probably expected some online ‘lad’ high-fives in agreement from his 682 followers, but what followed was almost 2,000 replies of pure sisterhood.

Women from all over the world began to reply to Lewis’ tweet; first, to call him out on his ridiculous comment, and more importantly, to share some love with each other to discount his original point:

The thread was the perfect example of what I like to call “the girl’s bathroom effect”. The phenomenon of how women’s bathrooms turn into a bubble of light, positivity and everything good on nights out has long-been womankind’s best-kept secret, and here, we see it in full action on Twitter. I often wonder where all those lovely women in bar bathrooms who complimented my outfit, or gave me some much-needed advice, are now. Turns out they are alive and well, and still spreading positivity via Twitter.

We live in a time where everyone, including the media, puts an unhealthy amount of stock in the female catfight. Drama and rivalry between women are encouraged at every turn, whether they involve a romantic interest or job promotion. Women, however, are fighting back against the presumption that successful and talented women must have to hate each other in order to co-exist. Female solidarity has been the cornerstone of some of the defining social movements of our generation, including #MeToo and #TimesUp. Where women did not have support before, other women are now stepping up to the plate.

It all comes down to this; it’s nice to be nice. Do it when you can. Especially to your fellow ladies.