Chapter 1: The First Comment
"Arguing with people online never works, Kyle."
I knew she was right, but it didn't change my perspective. When I saw someone posting some crazy rhetoric online, especially if I detected hate to their words, I had to jump in. If nothing else, it showed other people that someone was willing to stand up against this bullshit.
"Yeah, I guess," I replied.
"I bet you're only doing this because he's hot." Katie laughed at her comment which irked me a bit.
"No, it's because he's a right-wing neo-nazi."
"Sure, sure. But the tight clothes and thick muscles don't hurt."
I squinted at her. I wouldn't be honest to her outloud but she had a point. The guy on Tok I had been commenting on was, indeed, hot. AltAndrew was ripped with a thick beard. He knew what he was doing with his tight clothes or open button-ups. If I had muted his videos I could have been convinced I was into him but the second he started talking racist nonsense it dashed those fantasies. I bet that's why he had a following at all.
If only people weren't so shallow to idolize and follow the ramblings of a hot guy on the internet.
"Whatever, Katie. I guess it doesn't matter since I won't convince anyone."
She shrugged and sighed. "Kyle, I think it's great that you speak up for marginalized people. I just wish it had the impact you hope it did."