Metal Anarchy

Slaughter To Prevail vocalist Alex Terrible has taken to social media to open up about having to defend himself from criticism online. The frontman, who has faced allegations of Nazism, homophobia, etc. also referenced Falling In Reverse singer Ronnie Radke, who has faced accusations of sexual assault, abuse, racism, transphobia, and more.

Terrible said the following:

“I understand Ronnie Radke better than most people.

First, people come onto YOUR page and leave comments trying to insult you, mock you, make you look like a piece of shit, or deliberately provoke you. Then, when you publicly respond to the exact same comment — repost it to your story or make a post about it because you simply want to defend yourself on your own platform — suddenly YOU’RE the bully. Suddenly YOU’RE the bad person.

How could you do that to a regular person? You’re famous! You have millions of followers!”

So somehow I’m supposed to be responsible not only for what I say and do, but also for the shit YOU choose to write to me publicly — or even send directly to my DMs?

How exactly does that work?

I’m a human being just like everyone else. I’m responsible for my own words and actions, especially online. If I write something to someone publicly, I understand exactly what that means. Thousands or even millions of people might see it. The person might respond. Other people might respond. People might agree with me, disagree with me, laugh at me, criticize me — whatever. I’m an adult. I understand that my words can have consequences.

But apparently, if I defend myself on my own platform, then suddenly it’s, “Oh my God, how could you put this person on blast like that?!”

PUT WHAT ON BLAST? WHAT THEY LITERALLY WROTE THEMSELVES? WHAT THEY CLEARLY BELIEVE?

And then somehow I’m also responsible when people on my page reply to them or go to their page and say something?

Hello? This is the internet.

You have the freedom to say what you want, but that doesn’t mean you’re entitled to control everyone else’s reaction to it. If you decide to publicly say something about another person, especially directly on their page, then be prepared for that person — and other people — to react to what you said.

Someone calls you a piece of shit. You answer, “Go fuck yourself.” And somehow the conclusion is that YOU’RE the bad guy because you told someone to go fuck themselves in front of everyone?

What the fuck?

Am I supposed to live by some completely different set of rules just because I have followers?”

[via The PRP]