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Dear Pistorian,
Following my article ‘There be Pistorians in them there hills,’ you seem unsure about what a Pistorian is. I quote: “What is a Pistorian?” and “Now I know I’m not a Pistorian,” (from someone who clearly is).
Everyone else can spot you a mile off! Are you trying to distance yourself from rampant Pistorianism?
The term ‘Pistorian’ used to refer to a group of well-meaning, devoted Oscar Pistorius fans, who got together following the shooting of Reeva Steenkamp. They expressed their support for the athlete and comforted each other. Harmless stuff.
Gradually, more militant Oscar ‘supporters’ muscled in and this gave Pistorians a bad name.
As a Pistorian, you are a loyal devotee of Oscar Pistorius. Unlike other Oscar fans, however, you have lost two things: your moral compass and your grip on reality.
Anyone who suggests Oscar may be less than angelic is a ‘hater.’ You forget that most people are more interested in justice and the legal process.
You skirt around the bare facts of this case. Oscar shot at a person in a cubicle through a closed door with four black talon bullets. This is the crux. This is what the appeal will focus on.
Yet, you obsess over timelines.
You fixate on screaming, bats, stumps, no stumps – anything that stops you thinking about what your idol did.
You bang on about police incompetence and corruption. You may have a point, but this does not alter the heart of the case.
You cite circumstantial evidence and witness testimony as ‘facts’ and the ‘truth.’
You overlook or excuse inconsistencies in Pistorius’ testimony.
You say the establishment has singled Oscar out. He should not have been on trial.
You ignore that he spent his bail at home or on holiday.
You seem unaware he could still be in jail awaiting trial or, with less competent defence attorneys, already convicted of murder and not in a hospital wing.
You abuse or allow other people to abuse the memory of Reeva Steenkamp. It goes beyond expressing unfavourable opinion.
You followed, favourited and retweeted a person with multiple accounts who posted: “#Reevasteenkamp’s death was too quick painless and generally too good for her.” This is the ‘least offensive offensive’ post I could find about Reeva from this person.
You still follow, favourite and retweet this creature in her new incarnations. Is it all part of the ‘fun’?
Within days of Reeva’s death, you slated the Steenkamp family and this has intensified over two years. If you favourite or retweet, you are guilty by association.
You are particularly vicious (‘viscous’ in Pistorian parlance!) towards June Steenkamp. You criticise her personality, appearance, lifestyle and her grief. You are cruel.
This abuse extends beyond Reeva’s family and friends. You sink your teeth into anyone in public life associated with the case, unless they share your views. You do not express your opinion rationally. You are rude, insult them, give them nicknames, plague their timelines, question their qualifications and integrity and set up spoof accounts. You even accuse them of crimes.
You hound those who do not agree with you. No one is exempt. You allege criminal offences. You call them names and say they are stupid. You claim they are mentally ill or have ‘other issues.’ You abuse their followers. You make thinly veiled threats and sometimes carry them out. Many of your victims have locked their accounts or you have chased them off social media altogether.
Ironically, some of you got way out of your depth and had to close your own accounts!
You criticise people for not using their real names. I used to use mine. However, a run in with some of your more rabid ‘compistriots’ led me to adopt a pseudonym. Yes, I did fear for my safety. And, I can think of only one of you using your actual name.
You still think Oscar is innocent even though Masipa convicted him of a criminal offence.
If you have accepted he is guilty of culpable homicide, you think he should have a suspended sentence or none at all.
Your thought does not involve the victim of this crime or her family and friends.
You endlessly refer to other cases to support your stance, but they have no relevance to this trial. Some have tried to explain why, but you do not want to know.
You choose to ignore the effect Masipa’s ruling could have on future victims of similar crimes. Anyone in South Africa standing behind a closed door is at more risk now. A few months in prison are not a deterrent.
You rarely think about the real victim. If you do, it is an afterthought (‘poor Reeva’).
You talk a lot about freedom of speech and human rights. You forget that with rights come responsibilities. Yes, you can express negative views about Reeva and her family. It is a free world! Voice any opinion you like! You could try doing it responsibly and with respect.
You may not do all the above. But, if you do any of them, you are a Pistorian.
It is comforting to know you are a tiny, tiny minority, albeit a vocal one.
I hope you can sleep at night and, remember, never, ever shut the door!
“People demand freedom of speech as a compensation for the freedom of thought which they seldom use.”
