Post

Gillian Brockell
@gillianbrockell.com

When I was 8, for the crime of taking a popsicle without asking, my abusive parent ripped off my favorite stuffed animal’s arm in front of me and then hid it for a year. Of all the shit I went through, that was the thing that devastated me the most. This is so evil.

Abby Vesoulis@abbyvesoulis.bsky.social

In this screenshot of an email from March 2025, Emily Moreno begged Miller for the blue bunny. (3/?)

74 reposts360 likes

Shannon
@swalkthewalk.bsky.social

I am amazed that you have been able to overcome such depraved cruelty. As a follower of your indispensable ICE flight reporting, I am glad that you did.

PedroStephano
@pedrostephano.eurosky.social

My first car had only one key. My father took a pair of pliers to that key and cut it in two. Irretrievably broken. New complete locks and key needed. Cost hundreds. Because anger. Unfond memories of 1979. Still hurts inside.

Gillian Brockell
@gillianbrockell.com

If I wasn’t clear, I mean he took both pieces of my stuffed animal, not just the arm. He returned it to me a year later, arm crudely sewn back on, at the dinner table in front of the whole family, when I guess I was being a good girl, and I hold back my tears and act grateful.

sappho lister
@sappholister.bsky.social

even as an adult, it seems we never really lose those triggers from our childhood. this administration, these people, what we see happening all around us, is rife with triggers.

Mukor
@bevbos.bsky.social

As the father of two daughters I’m just popping by to say that is beyond fucked up and I’m sorry it happened to you. (I had abusive shit done to me but your anecdote takes the cake.)

Gillian Brockell
@gillianbrockell.com

It has been so enlightening to become a parent, and of course you worry “what if I end up being mean to my kid too?” It’s a relief to realize you just don’t have that rage in you, AND you realize just how messed up it was on a whole other level! 🙏

Mukor
@bevbos.bsky.social

It’s also sort of a waterfall effect: yes, I’ve lost my cool on my kids, but not with the regularity that parent lost their cool on me. In the back of my mind, some safeguard is operating.

meabell
@meabell58.bsky.social

I feel this. My abusive father would beat us for "stealing" a cookie. He was very unpredictable in his abuse. I use to admit to things I hadn't done, and take the beating because it was easier to get beat than hear my siblings getting beat.

CrohnsCat
@crohnscat.bsky.social

I understand I grew up with a father like that also physically abusive. One stepmother came into my bedroom when I was at school and threw away all my stuffed animals. They were my security I suffered for years thinking about them being thrown in the dump.

CrohnsCat
@crohnscat.bsky.social

Came home from school when I was about 9 and discovered my four cats have been given away. Their love was the only love I ever got. Never was allowed to ask what happened to them. This crushed my soul

Will Neils
@willneils.bsky.social

I am glad you were able to persevere thru that shitty parenting into the person who is working so hard to publicize the bullshit this administration is perpetrating upon the world. Thank you for your work!