Hate mail
From Free net encyclopedia
| Articles related to Abuse. |
| By means |
|
Physical abuse Psychological abuse Sexual abuse |
| By victim |
|
Child abuse / Domestic violence |
| By offender |
Hate mail is mail (electronic, postal, or otherwise) which is threatening towards the addressee, or exceptionally abusive or offensive.
Sometimes, the body text of the message contains profanity, or just a plain negative message. Some people who receive these kinds of messages just ignore them, some respond, and others read it. Nowadays, many senders of hate mail use Internet e-mail.
The message can be a long-winded, acerbic novella laced with threats or a simple "you suck." Many times, the hate mail is unsigned (or in the case of e-mail, sent anonymously), meaning there is no way for the addressee to trace the letter to fairly reply.
Some webmasters post their hatemail publicly on the websites with the intention of humor, although they have been criticised by some as "egotistic." It is, with the great quantity of visitors and variety of opinions, difficult for a site to express any kind of viewpoint without receiving hatemail from someone.
Reasons for hate mail
The reasons why people receive hate mail can vary widely.
For instance, someone who is actively involved in a social or civil cause may receive hate mail, in order to intimidate or threaten him/her for continued involvement.
Other times, someone can send a hate message in reply to a letter to the editor in a newspaper. Sometimes, in addition to verbally berating them for holding their viewpoint, such hate letters may include information presenting the opposing view.
Criminals have also received hate mail, both in and out of prison, particularly if it involves crimes against children.
Hate messages can also originate from chat room or discussion group forums. For instance, a hate e-mail can originate when someone strongly disagrees with something another person posted, or perhaps takes offense to a reply.