I’m no psychologist, but I’m able to identify harmful rhetoric that is used to silence and dominate marginalized communities. That is what we saw in Piers Morgan’s response to criticism that the production of his interview with trans activist and advocate Janet Mock yesterday was transphobic.

Janet Mock, whose new book was reviewed by Jos yesterday, was interviewed by Piers Morgan on his show​ Piers Morgan Live. After the interview, ​​​Janet took to Twitter to air her frustrations that the show’s tag lines ​mis-gendered her and the segment sensationalized her story by focusing on her romantic relationships.

​But what I find more upsetting than the misrepresentation of Janet Mock and her story is the way in which Piers has responded to these criticisms. His follow-up tweets reveal blinding privilege and ideologies that are used to silence and exert power over marginalized communities. I think it’s worth digging into some of Morgan’s tweets to interpret what they really mean.

A lot of very irate people accusing me of ‘transphobia’ because I devoted a third of my show to @JanetMock ‘s inspiring story. Weird. — Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) February 5, 2014

So.. I try and highlight @janetmock ‘s inspiring story and she & her supporters respond by trashing me. Really disgusting. — Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) February 5, 2014

​These tweets suggest that Morgan’s work as a “supporter” of trans issues is limited to giving Mock the honor of being on his show. It doesn’t matter how she may or may have not been offended, triggered, or harmed by the language, content, or production of the segment. When an oppressor gifts you with a neatly wrapped package of bullshit, you should take it with a smile. Otherwise you’re just ungrateful.

Very disappointed in @janetmock ‘s tweets tonight. Deliberately, and falsely, fuelling some sense of me being ‘transphobic’. Unpleasant. — Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) February 5, 2014

I’ve never been subjected to the kind of nonsense that @janetmock and her supporters are accusing me of now…wish I’d never booked her. — Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) February 5, 2014

If you are waiting for the moment when Morgan addresses the ways in which he actually did sensationalize Mock’s story and mis-gender her, I should tell you now to not hold your breath. Morgan is only concerned with the way he feels about the criticism he is receiving. His intentions are the only ones that matter. He wishes he never booked someone to be on his show who was going to bring him out of his comfort zone to confront real issues. He also has the moral authority to define what is nonsense when it comes to transphobia.

For the record, @janetmock had no problem at the time with our interview – but now seems keen to score cheap points. Very disappointing. — Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) February 5, 2014

In fact, @janetmock THANKED me for the interview. Now pretends she was mortally offended. Give me a break. Hate this kind of crap. — Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) February 5, 2014

Doesn’t this sound familiar? Kind of sounds like victim blaming, doesn’t it? Out of all of Morgan’s tweets, this one is perhaps the most dangerous because he is attempting to silence and invalidate the very real feelings that Mock expressed. She must be “pretending.” Furthermore, he is discrediting Mock’s character and ability to tell her own fucking story. It runs along the same vein as a insisting that someone wasn’t really assaulted because they didn’t scream or fight back. Because Mock didn’t cause a scene Morgan’s studio, there is no way she could have actually been treated badly.

As for all the enraged transgender supporters, look at how STUPID you’re being. I’m on your side, you dimwits. @janetmock — Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) February 5, 2014

Translation: ​”I’ve never beaten up someone because they were trans. I’m clearly on your side. So what if I get angry when trans women tell me about the ways my language was inappropriate and triggering? You people are just too stupid to recognize a supporter when you see one.” Enough said.

Being transgender doesn’t give you the right to slur, distort & ridicule someone who supports the issue 100%. Shame on you @janetmock . — Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) February 5, 2014

Piers Morgan just told Janet Mock that her lived experience does not give her the authority to define how she wants to be treated.

None will be deleted > RT @metalmujer Don’t forget to screenshot @piersmorgan‘s more loathsome tweets. He has trouble owning his words — Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) February 5, 2014

Nonsense > RT @laurenarankin .@piersmorgan Accusing you of “disrespect” is not abuse. It is a fact. You owe all trans* people an apology. — Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) February 5, 2014

Saddest of all, Morgan is completely unapologetic and refuses to budge on his opinion. And that concludes today’s episode of “How the Privileged Man Thinketh.”

Sesali is a writer and homegirl from Chicago who gets intersections.