Anita Sarkeesian, author of the ongoing Feminist Frequency video series, has been enduring a "sustained intimidation campaign," as she terms it, for several years now. Today, she offers a look at her Twitter feed, which is filled with intimidation and repeated, graphic threats of violence.
The following content, including the link outside Polygon to Anita Sarkeesian's Tumblr, contains violent threats, many of which are sexual in nature.
In just a week's time, through only a single social media channel (Twitter), Sarkeesian received no less than 150 hateful messages. They range from name calling to descriptive messages threatening death and rape. Arranged on the page, they scroll almost endlessly.
"Ever since I began my Tropes vs Women in Video Games project," Sarkeesian wrote, "two and a half years ago, I've been harassed on a daily basis by irate gamers angry at my critiques of sexims in video games. It can sometimes be difficult to effectively communicate just how bad this sustained intimidation campaign really is."
The post catalogues just a small sample of the rage the internet can produce, rage that has lead to threats of mass shootings directed at Sarkeesian's speaking engagements. Threats against her are currently under investigation by the FBI.
Sarkeesian recently appeared on The Colbert Report and Nightline. Just last year she was given the Ambassador Award at the Game Developer's Conference, where she was also threatened with a bomb before taking the stage. Sarkeesian's nonprofit recently released its 2014 annual report, in which it announced two new video game-related video series.