Trial by Social Media - Shepherd Express

Photo Credit: Jean-Gabriel Fernandez

The rainbow crosswalk at Cathedral Square.

A year ago July, Milwaukee theater people following social media became unwitting jurors in a very public trial by social media. In the best tradition of a kangaroo court, many performed the roles of both jury and witness. It’s hard to blame them for their enthusiasm. It was, after all, the first wave of the pandemic and, locked down as we were, our focus was largely on the surreal world of the media and, in particular, social media. As it is the wont of the mob, due process is neither here nor there in such matters, so the proceedings, as one-sided as they were, carried on regardless.

It seems a former actor (gender non-conforming, pronoun “they”) accused a pair of local theater directors of sexual and emotional abuse. The alleged transgressions had taken place seven years prior. The actual details presented seemed questionable in terms of actually meeting the criteria of crimes, but, nowadays, we tend to accept a broader definition of such things and take such accusations seriously, as we should.

Many responded to the accusations, lauding the accuser for their courage. For acquaintances of the two accused men, the news was shocking, of course. However, when anyone questioned the very idea that the accused would be guilty of such things (in other words, seeking the other side of the story), they were met by a broadside of insults from body shaming and ridicule, to ageism. One woman...



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