This is something I didn’t know existed, but I suppose I should have predicted, sigh.
Nice to see you,
Anaamika
Don’t feel bad over the actions of a few assholes. Also another “hey, welcome back!” from me. I was actually wondering about how you were a little while back, although I can’t remember why 
Welcome back, Anaamika – it’s really good to see your name, even if the reason why you posted was due to a terrible experience.
I experienced something like that in 2020; the ad agency where I work had a Zoom call, hosted by members of our DE&I task force, on the heels of the killing of George Floyd, to discuss the issues which were suddenly visible to all of us.
Halfway through the meeting, several trolls found their way onto the call, and manage to completely take it over, spewing hateful, disgusting stuff. I felt horrible, and was unsettled by it for a couple of days – not just for having to hear it (and to recognize that there are some really awful people out there), but even more, feeling sadness for the Black members of my team, some of whom are my friends, who have to experience that sort of racism and hatred on an everyday basis.
I have no idea what makes people so vile that they get their kicks from doing something like that, and I’m not sure that I even want to know.
I’m sorry that you had to experience that.
Everyone, both at work and the volunteers, have been very kind so that helps. I don’t know if my husband really understands why it was upsetting, though he was very comforting too. I don’t know why it was so upsetting either. But I am all better now!
It’s just so weird, right? Like, get a hobby. Take up oil painting or something, it’s very relaxing.
I’m really sorry that this happened to you.
I’m reminded of a comment from (Journalist, “Democracy Now” host) Amy Goodman. She had suffered Bell’s Palsy from a virus, leading to lots of speculation about what was wrong with her:
Wikipedia, the popular online encyclopedia anyone can edit, stated that I had suffered a stroke. So on Tuesday I decided to tell viewers and listeners that I was suffering from a temporary bout of Bell’s palsy, that it wasn’t painful and that “the doctors tell me I will be back to my usual self in the next few weeks. In the meantime, it just makes it a little harder to smile. But so does the world.”
And ain’t it the truth.
Also see: anomie, weltschmerz
Me, too. It’s good to run into you again.