A cautionary tale of online bullying.

I understand that many of you are wondering “who in the hell is Robin Flowers and why should I care?” I’ll get that out of the way up front.  Robin Flowers WAS a popular guy on Twitter who recently reaped the benefits of his incessant need to “slander” black women (usually of the darker skinned variety) who recently suffered one of the most fantastic comeuppances I’ve ever personally witnessed on a social network.

Robin was (in) famous for directing a litany of fuckery towards the opposite sex. A cursory glance at his Twitter timeline will show Robin’s online persona as one who seemed to take great pride and joy in starting up “internet beef” with other people.

I’ve watched Robin’s antics with a modicum of bewildered amusement for the things he’d said and the way he’s talked about people. It is of note I’ve been on various social networking sites and internet message boards, so his behavior isn’t unique. I’ve seen far worse from people elsewhere, so there’s a certain numbness I’ve built up when it comes to most things involving Twitter.

This, however, was different.

Sometime around Friday evening, Robin was on his usual kick regarding black women. In the middle of all of this, Robin tweeted what would eventually become his downfall.  I’m not exactly sure what possessed him to do this, but he tweeted something to the effect of “I can talk about all you bitches because I procreate with women like this.” By “this,” he meant the mother of his child and it was then all hell broke loose.

Admittedly, that wasn’t the best looking picture of his baby mother (though nobody had actually considered her ugly) but it was enough to start the descent of his recent fortune on Twitter. Rob had specifically targeted black women and certain features as ones he didn’t find attractive.  With respect to dark skinned women, he’d made several rude comments toward them and their skin color (he’s light skinned); however, his wife is actually dark skinned. He’d also made damning comments about women and their teeth. His wife doesn’t have the best looking teeth (I don’t mean this disrespectfully. It’s simply an observation).

Twitter took up full rage at being “duped” by Robin’s preferences and made it a point to call him out on it.  It seemed as if the slander session would die down as Friday night turned to Saturday morning, but it only got worse.  Another person on Twitter knew his baby mother in real life and made several comments about her.

These comments came with various pictures showing Robin with his baby mother, who actually turned out to be his wife.  I’d be lying if I said the pictures weren’t nice. I would say one should definitely question someone who keeps something like that hidden on a social network he frequented. Granted, Robin’s life is his own and he has no duty to disclose that information to anybody, but it sure makes the entire situation look pretty terrible on his part.

A couple of things worth noting with respect to Robin’s demise. 1) A large majority of the people who’d targeted Robin over the last few days were people I’m sure he thought he was cool with.  The same people that egged Robin on during his slander crusades against black women and generally encouraged his behavior were the same people who “turned” on him.

Also of note, all the people Robin had taken aim relished in the opportunity for retribution at any slights (both perceived and directed toward them). 2) It would seem as if Robin had intentionally positioned himself in a manner to be accepted by other people on Twitter.  After all, why keep the fact that you’re married a secret? It seems as if he has a beautiful family and works hard to make sure they’re taken care of…why be ashamed?

Those are questions that need to be directed toward Robin, if you can find him.  I’m following my Twitter timeline as I type this and it seems as if he’s deleted both his Twitter and Facebook account.

Life has apparently gotten a little too real for that young man to deal with.

Underlying this entire episode are the consequences for online behavior and how there’s a very real chance it can potentially fuck your “real” life up.  Had Robin taken it upon himself to act in concert with who he really is offline, I’m sure the consequences wouldn’t have been so severe.  Instead, Robin made it a point to dish out hurt and cause anger.

The very same people, who had joked with Robin, wished him well when he announced his child was being born, watched and did nothing as he attacked various women of darker complexion, were the very same people who helped in his demise. As the old adage goes, “nobody on Twitter is your friend.”   There’s often a conversation regarding the need for acceptance among others and how far some people are willing to go to get it.

Apparently, young Robin pushed that line a bit too far.

The seeds of discourse and anger which he has sowed are currently paying dividends I’m sure not even HE could have imagined.

In the end, nothing much will come of this. Robin’s life will continue on its current path and all of the people currently making a mockery of his life will find a new target when it’s offered. Such is the nature of Twitter.

But there are two things to remember. 1) Don’t slander people if you can’t take slander and 2) whoever you are offline, is probably who you want to be online.  Too much fronting is bad for the soul because someone knows you…

And they can’t wait to expose the shit out of you.

Peace.