I came across this 3 year-old Amazing Polly video this morning, and I expect that probably more than a few who read at Rumour Mill News have experienced something similar, or have taken an unwitting, or even conscious role in scapegoating. Polly's experience is very personal, but this type of bullying exists not only within a family, but in all contexts - between cultures, in the work world and, of course, politics.
Sonar
Scapegoats, Smear Campaign, The Urge to Defend Yourself, Personal Experience
44,898 views•Jul 8, 2016
Amazing Polly
PLEASE READ.
The motivation for this audio is two-fold.
Motivation One: I am speaking directly to the heartbroken people who are themselves going through a smear campaign. I have been there, and I have tried different ways of dealing with it. I sincerely believe that the best outcomes have been where I was either blissfully unaware of the liars weaving their tales, or I was able to rise above and let the smears happen without bothering to defend myself.
Motivation Two: I am currently being smeared on Youtube by three or four individuals. These people will see this video (because they will watch it in spite of claiming to see through me and believing the worst of me. They will watch and listen because they watch every move I make) When they hear what I have to say they will believe that this video is about them. They will come to the conclusion that this video represents a ‘covert’ evil on my part. They will see it as a manipulation. They will surmise that it is an indirect rebuttal to their smears.
After they listen to this presentation and come to their conclusions they will be both correct and incorrect. They will be correct because it *is* a rebuttal to their lies - but only in the way to handle them. They will be correct because the *theme* of this video does accurately represent what they are doing right now – a smear campaign via covert means on multiple videos and in entirely inappropriate ways instead of direct communication.
As I stated, though, they will also be decidedly incorrect. They will be incorrect because the *theme* of this video is universal and does not, in any way depend on their current behaviour. I made this recording because, naturally, the situation I currently find myself in brings to mind the other times I was lied about and harassed. Since they are doing the same thing to me now as others have done in the past, it does make me inspired to talk about those things. I can speak from the heart due to the recency of the emotions, and truthfully I thank them for that.
Finally, my motivation for this video/audio is pure. I believe my experience will resonate with other scapegoats in a profound way. It is my telling of my true story, and the lessons I have learned from it. I am inspired by what is happening around me – of course I am. It so happens that in this case I can help myself AND give hope and camaraderie to others at the same time. The ideas in this audio presentation apply to all scapegoats and targets of smear campaigns. I am the person I am today - full of joy and optimism IN SPITE OF having been a target. In SPITE of being lied about.
Does my doing this go against the message I am imparting in this video? That scapegoats automatically lose when they defend themselves? Possibly. You decide. This is a unique situation, and requires a unique response. I am still learning.
All I can say to those who will take this personally in a negative way is this: If the shoe fits, wear it.
