sixpenceeeharms:

People are upset because of how she responded.

What sixpenceee could have said: 

“Yes, my uncle has a child laborer. I think it’s morally reprehensible and indefensible. I’ve reported him to the police, have cut off all communication with that branch of the family, and am using my tumblr fame to set up a gofundme to benefit the child’s family so that they can afford to send the child to school rather than forcing her to work.”

What sixpenceee actually said:

“Yes, my uncle has a child laborer. Instead of distancing myself from it, I’m going to call her ‘our eight year old,’ which makes me sound as if I believe she partly belongs to me. But that’s totally okay you guys because it’s just a part of the culture. I’m going to ignore the numerous people from those cultures who’ve replied to me saying it’s not a thing. It’s also totally fine because she says she’s happy working for my family, but I’m going to say the only alternative is working in a dangerous factory - the idea that children shouldn’t have to work -at all- never crossed my mind. I’m also not going to acknowledge the power differential that would make her afraid of repercussions if she said she wasn’t happy.”

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Also, that post is spreading like wildfire across tumblr because it’s unique. People get accused of ableism and/or plagiarism on tumblr every day of the week. It’s not uncommon, and that sometimes makes it boring.

Only one person I know of on tumblr has been associated with child slavery, even if that association is only through their family. And that person not only admitted their connection to it, but they defended the practice.

That’s why tumblr is having a field day with it.