Should Writers Defend Themselves When a Reader Lashes Out With Ugly Name Calling or Accusations?

I feel hurt, but why?

Photo by Giulia Bertelli on Unsplash

I wrote an article about Johnny Depp and his addiction to drugs and alcohol.

He was a mess. Maybe he still is.

He became dependent as a direct result of trying to escape the pain of a violent childhood.

His addiction spanned decades.

My article was about how many of us attempt to extricate ourselves from pain by drowning in alcohol or mind-altering drugs.

However, one reader ripped me a new “you-know-what,” calling me a misogynist and saying I was “echoing woman-hating abusers everywhere.” She mentions his “horrific behavior and abuse.”

I never once mentioned the alleged abuse he inflicted on his past relationships. That was not the intention of this story. Nor do I know the truth of these incidents.

This reader surmised more than I intended.

This attack hurt me.

Vulgarity and meanness only make this respondent appear angry and possibly hurt.

If I’ve hurt you, I’m sorry. You may be a victim of emotional or physical abuse.