Chinmayi Sripada Speaks Out Against Online Harassment and Victim-Blaming in Hyderabad
When a social media post goes viral for negative reasons, the resulting online bullying and threats can severely damage a person's mental well-being. National award-winning singer Chinmayi Sripada addressed this critical issue during the recent launch of the 'Stand with Her' campaign in Hyderabad, sharing her personal experiences with criticism for speaking up on women's issues.
Advice for Young People Facing Online Harassment
"The first thing is to shrug off the need for social acceptance or being the most liked person. You live your life for yourself," Chinmayi advised young individuals confronting online harassment. She emphasized that seeking validation online is futile, stating, "You will neither get the red carpet treatment, nor will you get acceptance. The best way to live online is to try and be your most authentic and honest self."
The singer also acknowledged that dealing with online bullying can be overwhelming, noting that it is perfectly acceptable to temporarily step away from social media platforms when the pressure becomes too much to handle.
Addressing Deepfake Shaming and Sexual Assault Stigma
Discussing the malicious use of deepfake technology to shame women, Chinmayi proposed that removing the shame associated with women's bodies is crucial to combating this problem. "We can say, 'I scraped my knee,' but we hesitate to say, 'Someone groped me.' Why is naming a body part such a problem?" she questioned, advocating for comprehensive age-appropriate sex education to eliminate the stigma surrounding these issues.
Chinmayi further highlighted the unique victim-blaming that occurs in sexual harassment cases. "Sexual harassment is the only crime in which the survivor is often shamed," she pointed out. "If someone's house gets burgled, nobody asks why you had gold there. But when sexual assault happens, people ask what the woman was wearing. This is the only crime where the victim's identity, family and background are used to justify the act."
Rahul Ravindran on the Exhaustion of Social Media Discourse
Chinmayi's husband, actor-director Rahul Ravindran, shared his contrasting perspective on social media engagement. Unlike his wife, he finds it challenging to speak up online, where he feels statements are frequently misconstrued. "In a way, it's understandable, as one does not know with what expression or context something is being said. I find it exhausting. I used to speak up about certain things at one point, but I've slowly stopped doing that," he admitted.
The director of 'The Girlfriend' explained that online posts quickly become polarized, receiving a wide spectrum of reactions. "Whatever you say is immediately broken into two sections, one for and one against. And then there is no communication possible between the two sections. So I've kind of given up talking about most things on social media. But I'm grateful to people like my wife who speak up," he added.
Rahul concluded by recognizing the importance of those who continue to engage despite the harassment, stating, "Because some people have the stomach and the energy to take online harassment, there is still some communication. Nothing can ever be achieved without that."
