JackPedersenx's JumboTweets
A message to Twitter on Katie Hopkins
A message to Twitter on Katie Hopkins
Any person living with depression, or with any knowledge of its workings, would find this tweet [https://twitter.com/KTHopkins/status/582121688915013632] bizarre and undeniably insensitive. As someone closely involved with mental illnesses, I count myself as one of many people shocked by the words of Ms Hopkins.
Twitter, as a public company, have a duty to both aid and protect their users who may be vulnerable. By allowing this tweet to stand, without at least any distance being made between the company and Ms Hopkins, I can only understand that Twitter feels this is an acceptable message for the general public. For a public figure to be allowed to ask those with depression to "top themselves in private" is not only prejudicial but also entirely discriminative. While respecting the freedom of speech that all people are entitled to, this cannot be allowed to infringe of the rights of others. Asking anyone to kill themselves, at any point, is unintelligible and simply wrong. When considering that at least 1 in 5 adults suffer from either depression or anxiety, not condemning Ms Hopkin's statement could be seen as being tantamount to supporting her point of view. Inciting more stigma and hatred towards those only serves to make life that much harder for those who need help.
I would only add that I have seen many Twitter users seek help from others every single day, and I know what a supportive and helpful service twitter can truly be. Please make sure the public are aware that this is the image Twitter can truly hold, not a hate-filled website, actively encouraging the death of those who suffer from a serious, and often debilitating mental illness.
Reaffirm your support to those who need it most.