Free Speech Cuts Both Ways: Why I Block, Mute, and Call Out Bullshit

By: Rebecca Witherspoon, June 24, 2025

When people engage with me in an honest, civil manner, I always try to respond in kind. I welcome respectful discourse and differing opinions. Sometimes I’m swayed, sometimes I sway others, and sometimes we just agree to disagree. But when comments on social media come from obvious troll accounts or from individuals whose sole intent is to provoke, demean, or personally attack, I choose to either not engage at all or to disengage as soon as I realize what’s going on. If an account is obviously fake, I will delete the comment and block the account—because I refuse to waste time or energy feeding that kind of behavior. If an individual becomes consistently abusive in their comments, I block them. If they wish to speak with me in a public setting and in a civil manner, they know how to reach me.

There have been times I’ve disabled comments entirely (especially on platforms like Nextdoor) when I anticipate an onslaught of personal attacks. Ironically, that often results in even more outrage with some running to other social media platforms (like Reddit) with accusations that I’m trying to “silence” or “censor” people or avoid accountability—none of which is true. So then I reopen the comments, and—right on cue—the vitriol begins. In these types of cases, I just let my original words speak for themselves and I choose not to respond or react. Sadly, the same circle of people who cry about being censored or attacked dive right in with their false and defamatory accusations, baseless conspiracy theories, and malicious character assassinations that bear no resemblance to actual truth. 

In some cases, perfectly ordinary behavior gets twisted by these same people into something sinister. I’ve been falsely accused—without evidence—of everything from creating fake accounts to attack and intimidate people, to engaging in harassing and unethical behaviors, and even alluding to illegal activity. Those are serious allegations with real life implications IF they were actually true. And to make those types of false and defamatory allegations also carries serious real life implications. But when I defend myself, you would think the sky had fallen. I’m told that I somehow lost the right to defend myself simply because I’m a “public figure” and that I should just accept and expect being falsely, maliciously, and personally attacked and defamed. That’s not how it works.

What’s even more hypocritical is that while some of these attacks come from people using their real names, many of these attacks come from anonymous or fake accounts. Their excuse? They want to “protect themselves.” So, it’s apparently acceptable to hide behind a fake profile to publicly falsely malign me, but unacceptable for me to defend myself openly? That double standard is as absurd as it is cowardly.

Then there’s the demand that I publicly denounce friends or colleagues because someone else finds their actions offensive. I won’t play that game. If you have an issue with someone, take it up with them directly. I’m not your spokesperson, your moral referee, or your middleman. I don’t control other people, and I’m not going to pretend I do to appease you or an angry mob. You saying I’m “guilty” simply because I associate with someone, doesn’t actually make me “guilty.”

If you sincerely believe I’ve done something wrong—ethically or legally—then bring the actual proof. Not rumors. Not assumptions. Not feelings dressed up as facts. Just because you don’t like my position on an issue, or who I associate with, doesn’t mean I’ve done anything wrong or committed misconduct. I have the same rights as you do—including the right to free speech, to self-defense, to call out bullies, to associate with whomever I please, to have communications with whomever I choose, and to draw boundaries when I’m under attack.

Let me be clear, I do not create fake accounts. I speak for myself, publicly and transparently. I also do not dox people—never have and never will. Referencing that someone “lives around the corner from me” is not doxing. Doxing is the illegal sharing of private, personally identifying information without someone’s consent for the purpose of harassment or harm. I reject that behavior entirely, and accusing me of it without evidence is both false and defamatory.

Finally, if you act in a way that I perceive as unhinged, toxic, harassing, or abusive, or if you spread what I believe to be false and defamatory accusations against me or anyone else, I will say so. Loudly and publicly. I won’t sit quietly while bullshit gets flung around unchecked. And yes, I absolutely reserve the right to take any and all steps I deem necessary to hold people legally accountable if they cross the line into what I believe is illegal conduct or blatant violations of professional ethics—especially when it affects me or my family.

I’ve been called every name in the book: racist, bigot, extremist, hateful, turd, bitch, trash, Nazi, transphobe—you name it. Not once have any of these insults come with actual proof. These insults aren’t about truth—they’re about control. They’re a tactic, plain and simple, used to shut down opposing views and smear the reputation of anyone who dares to challenge a preferred narrative. That’s not holding someone accountable—that’s straight-up projection.

Here’s some clear delineation between accountability and projection:

— Accountability is holding someone responsible for their actions, decisions, or words based on verifiable facts (not assumptions), evidence, and a desire for integrity or justice.

— Projection is a psychological defense mechanism where someone attributes their own feelings, flaws, or behaviors onto someone else. It lacks evidence and is based on emotions, fears, and assumptions.

And just to be clear, I am not a “victim.” I know what being a victim is and I survived being a victim many years ago and came out the other side stronger and smarter. I know how to take care of myself and protect my own. I will never be a “victim” again. But if someone comes after me or the people I care about, I will call it out and, if appropriate, I will hold them accountable. That’s not playing the victim—that’s calling out abuse and unacceptable behavior. If that makes you uncomfortable, here’s a real simple fix—don’t be the asshole I end up calling out.

In conclusion:

I will always value open, honest, and respectful dialogue. If you come to me in good faith, I’ll meet you there every time. But I’m not obligated to entertain trolls, engage with fake accounts, or absorb abuse masquerading as critique. I’m not here to be your emotional punching bag, your scapegoat, or your projection screen. I know the difference between a disagreement and a smear campaign—and I’m no longer giving my time or energy to people who don’t. I have every right to block, mute, delete, and disengage from anyone who crosses the line into personal attacks, defamation, or harassment. And I have every right to speak up, fight back, and defend myself and those I care about—publicly and unapologetically.

So no, I won’t be bullied into silence, forced into performative outrage, or guilt-tripped into defending myself in a rigged game where the rules change every time I speak. Free speech isn’t a one-way street, and it doesn’t end where your feelings begin. If you don’t want to be called out, here’s your warning: don’t lie, don’t harass, don’t defame, and don’t act like an unhinged asshole. Because if you do—I’ll respond in the way I see fit. You don’t have to like it, but you should just expect it.