Read on Twitter
Last night a WNBA player criticised an NBA player for complimenting her performance on Twitter using her jersey number instead of looking up her name - his reply was to say she had poor manners. When I looked at her comments, it was a steady stream of faceless, nameless males.
All of these concealed individuals were seeking to bring her back into line with insults and derogatory comments. The stream was endless. I decided to comment on how depressing it was to read such tweets just because a woman spoke in a way that they disapproved of.
The WNBA player retweeted the comment. From that moment I've received a regular stream of abuse throughout the night from faceless, nameless males who seek to bring another male back into line. Thus far I've blocked 38 accounts.
I block them because I think if you have something worth saying then you don't hide when you say it. Faceless, angry men shouldn't be given oxygen for their own hatred and prejudices. This encounter gives me a tiny glimpse of what females put up with.
And they don't put up with it on a daily basis, but all their lives if they deem to assert their basic human rights. Not for hours in one day like I have. Why? Because so many men seek to assert paper-thin, useless dominance over females, when they can't even control themselves.
Let's make one thing clear: I can say with hand on heart that being a feminist since my mid-teens has not made me the tiniest bit more attractive to females. Does it help me have more meaningful conversations with fellow human beings with a different perspective to mine? Yes.
Here's another home-truth: I still make mistakes with females and I likely always will. I don't support women's rights because I'm perfect, but because I think the prize of learning in equality is greater than sitting in a bunker with supposed grievances, spewing hurt and hatred.
Now, here's the silver lining: when you look at the thread on the NBA player's post, it's mostly full of males and females making clear comments on why his stance was wrong, and from people who don't hide their identity.
So, if you choose to speak out when you see poor behaviour, know that you're not alone, and it will likely be that many will agree with you but lack the courage to say anything. The only way those voices come out the shadows is to get confidence from others.
Please try to be more #heforshe 
in life and in your dealings in basketball. If you're not helping the situation, then please get out of the way. Women aren't perfect and neither are men, both should be allowed the space to make their own way, free of being judged and shamed.
in life and in your dealings in basketball. If you're not helping the situation, then please get out of the way. Women aren't perfect and neither are men, both should be allowed the space to make their own way, free of being judged and shamed.
At the end of the day, if you've had bad experiences with females or you just don't understand them, or they won't do what you want them to do when you want them to do it, it's not their issue, it's yours. You only have one sensible choice: move on by seeking to learn.
