This past month John Oliver had a segment on public shaming. It’s something that we definitely need to talk more about because it’s practically an epidemic that has swept our country. Nobody can make a mistake anymore without it going viral. It’s abhorrent and I am ashamed to say that I have totally participated in it on several occasions save one: Patient One. You know who I’m talking about, the girl in the beret. JO interviewed her and it was everything I hoped it would be. In light of that, I wanted to send her a letter–one similar to what I would have sent her in the middle of it just so she might know there were people on her side. I do hope the magic of the interwebs will take this to her screen, altho knowing she would actually read it is terrifying in the good way.

Dear Monica:

If I knew you, I’d give you a big hug. There are so many things I want to tell you. First of all, I am so proud of the woman you have become. You are an incredibly strong woman and one of my heroes. I wish I had been older and mature enough to give a shit about current events when everything happened. I was in college with no TV, and I should have paid more attention because what you went through impacted my female relationships forever. I hated the slut-shaming because OBVIOUSLY. But what I hated more was that a person that you trusted and considered a friend used your trust and for what? Honestly, I have no idea what LT is doing today nor do I have a fuck to give. You on the other hand are single handedly leading the charge to fight bullying and public shaming.

Watching the destruction caused by your friend, what little I absorbed at the time, was hard. Women should never tear each other down like that. Watching shows and documentaries and such now as an adult, I am horrified. I don’t see what happened as a Presidential issue—Lord knows our current POTUS has created more malicious crimes than a consensual act—but as a time that women needed a wake up call to start treating each other better.

In the years since we have taken steps forward, and back over again. I feel your increased presence speaking out is helping tremendously. Thank you for bearing the brunt of being Patient Zero and blossoming into such an amazing human.

Keep kicking ass, lady!!!!