Mandy Teefey Instagram – I wanted to share this write up about the Chrissy Teigan take down. I do not know any party, including Teigan herself, involved in this Twitter novela. I absolutely do not condone telling people to die or kill themselves or outright personal attacks. I even tried to not screen cap what has been said by any party. But, I wanted to bring attention to Liz Plank, MSNBC Opinion Columist @feministabulous piece on this saga. She didn’t take this opportunity to use this as a pedestal to be superior or judgemental of anyone involved. She did her job as a writer to dig deeper. As a thought provoking self reflection piece. I highlighted some of my favorite parts here in this post. For all of us to learn to see our roles in standing by as spectators. My favorite line of wisdom was “When we convince ourselves that bullying is a Chrissy Teigan problem, instead of a societal problem, it robs us of noticing that we actually have the power to change it.” I remember Stodden when I was younger. I remember thinking how everyone around her was failing her. I wasn’t as knowledgeable as I am now to understand how me viewing all the coverage assisted in the abuse of this young girl. I did know not to blame her as myself was failed and blamed by people I loved. I have read this article several times to self reflect. I have said shitty things, we all say shitty things, I do believe people are capable of growth. This is not to defend Teigan or create empathy for bullies. I just feel we can use these as opportunities to make ourselves better. I do not support cancel culture. I do feel people should be held accountable. I do feel the media has a responsibility to not recycle for headlines, but make us think, not just hate. I do not support people who have physically harmed people. I know bullying can cause self harm. I, myself, have tried to harm myself due to bullying. So I am not dismissing the power of words. I feel cancel culture instills fear and not growth for everyone. Not just the person being canceled. If we don’t work together to create conversation, to understand the root of these problems and to understand how we stop the fear, we shut down hope. XO