A Taste of the Audience

So I’ve been getting a taste of being on the opposite end of the angry mob — you know, the side where you’re running for your life from people chasing you will torches and pitchforks? This situation made me realize something very deep and personal — the reasons why I’ve taken the stand I have. I choose my sides based on my values and beliefs. I want my children to grow up in a world where they are safe, respected, and given the rights they deserve. I’d like to think my writing and efforts can at least fix some of the atrocities I see everyday. But then you always have the people who don’t always agree with every thing you say — or worse, you say something that comes out completely wrong in front of the wrong people. Of course in writing, everything seems cold and insensitive because it’s merely black text on a white background. Unless you change the color schemes and/ or add emoticons, the connotations and context of your words may be misconstrued to varying extents. This situation has completely pushed me back down a few notches today.

For a while now, I’ve been feeling rather pleased with myself for getting my writing career started. I’ve published four blog entries with the Florida Friends of Midwives to date, and I served as a writer and associate editor for my department’s newsletter. I have my fifth blog entry to the outline stage, and I’m working on a second newsletter for the department. I might even have an article (or maybe more) published in the FFOM newsletter. I’ve been feeling so good about my writing that I’ve taken the time to start searching for publications to send either queries or submissions. Now today, I’m questioning why I’ve decided to be a little “freedom fighter.” I’ve heard it can be a thankless job. In fact, I don’t write for the FFOM for payment — I write for the satisfaction of knowing that my writing is going to a cause I feel personally invested in. I write because it’s really all I can do for this cause. I don’t have the extra money to lobby for change. I don’t have the means to traverse the nation in hopes that I’ll affect change in the system. I do have my Bachelors degree. I do have my thoughts. I do have my fingers, keyboard, and an internet connection. I’m doing my part for what I feel is the right cause. Of course, I also believe that working mothers are getting unfair treatment. I believe children deserve safer toys, safer vaccines, and safer environments. I believe animals deserve love, care, and respect. I believe fathers deserve to play an important role in their childrens lives. I believe children benefit from having their fathers in their lives. I believe in family. I believe in love. I believe in freedom. I believe that certain things mean certain things to certain people. I believe we all have varying opinions that make us unique individuals. I don’t believe we’ll ever achieve world peace, but we should at least strive to be as respectful and caring as possible.

If my opinions make me unpopular, so be it. I’m not trying to win a popularity contest — I’m trying to do what I believe is right. The right way isn’t always the popular way, to paraphase a wise saying.