After being told she should be “banned” from posting selfies because she was “too ugly,” Melissa Blake knew she had to stand up for herself.
If you have ever posted anything online through social media, then you know how much of a chance you are taking. No matter what you post, there will always be trolls ready to call you out. It’s even worse if you differ from what is considered “normal” in any considerable way, be it by choice or because you lucked out in the game of genetics. Social media can be very cruel and unforgiving to the disabled and outcasts.
This also occurred to Melissa Blake, a handicapped freelance writer. She is an Illinois blogger and creative writer who has already encountered significant blowback after posting a political tweet expressing her views in 2019. Of course, anything on which people might differ will spark a debate. However, as trolls are prone to do, the attacks quickly became centered on her appearance rather than her own beliefs or opinions, and reasonable debate was out of the question.
I haven’t had my stylist (my sister) cut my hair since the end of May.
Think this Big Hair Energy needs a little trim?? #MyBestSelfie 😳😳 pic.twitter.com/RaU0FymXF7
— Melissa Blake (@melissablake) October 8, 2020
According to the BBC, Blake’s looks have been critiqued in a variety of worrying ways. Some Twitter users referred to her as “ugly,” “fat,” and even a “Blobfish,” which she retweeted. While many individuals would delete their social media accounts after receiving such harsh accusations, Blake chose to respond in an unconventional way. She took a couple of selfies while addressing her haters. When they refused to back down, Blake doubled down and said that she would upload one selfie a day for a year to demonstrate to the trolls and unkind critics that her insults would not discourage or damage her.
Many commentators, according to Blake, have even suggested that she quit posting because she is “too unattractive.” Blake responded by posting a couple of fantastic selfies. We commend her bravery! Her tweet describing the whole affair went viral, with over 326,000 likes.
Blake stated that she would not be swayed by the trolls, no matter what they said. She also added that if they told her that she shouldn’t do anything, she would do it anyhow.
Blake was inundated with encouraging messages of encouragement in the aftermath of the tragedy. She was thrilled by how well her tweet was received and thanked her huge number of followers.
Blake claimed in another tweet that she awoke to an interview request from the BBC, an email from a well-known book publisher, and an incredible 26,000 followers. It didn’t end there, though.
Mindy Scheier, creator, and CEO of Runway of Dreams, which highlights fashion for individuals with disabilities, was one of the people who took note of Blake’s daily selfie posting throughout 2020, according to Reader’s Digest. In early 2021, the fashion line was a part of New York Fashion Week, and Scheier reached out to Blake to invite her to participate as a model.
Because the runway event was held digitally and socially due to the continuing epidemic, Blake’s real presence was pre-filmed. Her sister took over the camera and recorded Blake riding her scooter along a quiet street. Blake was dressed in a graphic print T-shirt, capris, and a maroon vest with a very noticeable and huge fluffy collar.
It’s encouraging to know that things are changing.