IF YOU PLAN on using Twitter to celebrate the women in your social circle, professional arena or even, you know, in general, prepare to be branded one, if not all, of the following; ‘ridiculous’, ‘sexist’, and/or ‘a c*nt’.
But if you need assistance navigating the irrational outpouring of vitriol which is likely to come in response to your well-meaning expression of sisterhood, Derry Girls’ star, Nicola Coughlan will surely be able to lend a hand.
Yesterday, the Galway actress, who plays Clare in the Channel 4 comedy, paid tribute to her co-stars on Twitter, and highlighted the show’s attempt to rectify the gender disparity on television.
We’re filming a scene on Derry Girls today where 11/12 actors are women 💁🏼♀️🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻
— Nicola Coughlan (@nicolacoughlan) November 20, 2018
While undoubtedly a cause for celebration, the post in itself was fairly innocuous, right?
Well, not to some.
In fact, some social media users found it hugely inflammatory and were so triggered by it they felt compelled to call Nicola out on her decision to draw attention to the figure.
And your point is?
— G. Finlay Sonsmith (@GSonsmith) November 20, 2018
Never mind love, two sugars.
You adding those clapping hands shows us that you wanted praise for this and your opinion is that having 11 actresses and 1 actor is a positive thing. But we don't know about their talent/content of their character when their gender is brought up like this.
— Sona Sásta (@1SonaSasta) November 20, 2018
you bunch of sexists
— kevin gedge (@kraft307) November 20, 2018
Nicola responded to the backlash by uploading a video of herself offering a tongue-in-cheek apology for daring to celebrate the women she works with.
Hi, I’d just like to make a public apology for saying earlier that there was 11 women in a scene and only one man, and I realise that was an attack.
With her co-star Saoirse-Monica Jackson, who plays Erin, chiming in, the women continued:
We’re so sorry. I’m sorry to all men. Hashtag all men. I’m sorry.
AN APOLOGY FROM ME TO #ALLMEN pic.twitter.com/YfR8hFXtw4
— Nicola Coughlan (@nicolacoughlan) November 20, 2018
The irrationality of the backlash had yet to land with some people however, as the actress is still receiving messages from people who are still reeling over her initial post.
From ‘What a stupid c*nt’ to ‘They just want to feel important in the name of feminism’, Nicola’s Twitter is as clear an example of fragile masculinity as you’re likely to find right now.
Imagine being this triggered, it is so mad pic.twitter.com/YAa9JYMIVS
— Nicola Coughlan (@nicolacoughlan) November 21, 2018
“Imagine being this triggered, it is so mad,” Nicola wrote in response to the posts earlier this afternoon.
‘Mad’ is one way to describe it, a bleak reminder of how far we have to go is another.
