Fired Real Estate Agent Clarifies Controversial Facebook Remarks Amidst Online Backlash
Aimee Therese Marsh, the recently dismissed selling agent at Ray White Aspley, has shed light on her remarks that stirred up an online frenzy. The 30-year-old had faced backlash for making derogatory comments on Facebook. She asserts that her comments were aimed at malicious internet trolls, not renters at large.
Marsh’s tenure at Ray White Aspley, a real estate agency near Griffin in Brisbane’s north, ended last week after she posted disparaging remarks about tenants. In a series of now-deleted screenshots, Marsh appeared to criticize renters with an annual income of $50,000, suggesting they harbored envy towards her. She even insinuated that her tax payments were supporting their Centrelink benefits.
Despite the public outcry, Marsh chose not to retract her statements, stating her lack of remorse and implying that non-homeowners lacked the willingness to make sacrifices. However, she now clarifies that her comments were targeted solely at the relentless trolls who had besieged her on a local Facebook group, rather than being a sweeping commentary about Australian renters.
Marsh, who had been renting multiple properties herself before buying a home this year, elaborated that her comments were never intended as a generalization about renters. She explained that she empathized with renters, having friends, family members, and even clients who had experienced renting.
Marsh’s frustration stemmed from an incident about a year and a half ago when she announced a successful auction sale in the local group. This action was misconstrued by some who blamed her for the soaring property prices. The online onslaught eventually prompted her to hit back, labeling her attackers as ‘nobodies’ with low incomes.
During an interview with a local Brisbane radio station, Marsh detailed the context behind her statements. She revealed that her workplace had offered her social media training after they became aware of her previous responses to online attacks. However, this training did not specifically address targeted online bullying.
Despite acknowledging that walking away might have been the better option, Marsh stood by her decision to engage with her detractors. She emphasized that she would not apologize for standing up for herself, attributing her resolve to her life experiences that shaped her personality.
Marsh expressed regret for the misunderstanding her comments caused, asserting that they were not a blanket judgment of renters. Ray White Aspley swiftly terminated her employment following the controversy, denouncing her remarks as conflicting with the company’s values and commitment to a diverse community of renters.
While Marsh claims that her comments were a response to online trolls, her situation has raised larger questions about the challenges of handling online harassment and the potential consequences of one’s online interactions.