I am probably the least confrontational person on this planet. I don’t like to rock the boat. I don’t like to offend anybody. I don’t like to see anybody being verbally attacked (nor do I like to be verbally attacked myself). I’m a people pleaser. I just want everyone to get along.
Despite all that, I do have an opinion. And I believe that other people should have their opinions as well. I appreciate differing opinions because they offer a perspective I didn’t previously take into consideration. I don’t have to share those people’s opinions, but if they’re presented in such a way that isn’t pushy or accusatory, I’ll gladly listen to them. And I’d like to think that my opinion would be respectfully taken into consideration in return.
I don’t typically write about controversial issues. You won’t see anything on my blog remotely touching upon politics or religion. I write about my personal feelings, and so far, it seems that those feelings raise very little if any controversy among my readers.
However, I recently decided to write about a topic that I’m quickly learning is more controversial than I originally thought. I’ve shared my idea with only a handful of people, but it seems that suddenly I’m writing about my opinion rather than simply my feelings, a distinction I never really made until now. And I don’t know how I feel about that.
I thought about tossing the entire idea, throwing out the article I’ve been thinking about and trying to write about for weeks. I realize now that not everyone is going to agree with my opinion, that for the first time since I started blogging, I might actually get nasty comments from readers because I somehow offended them. And I don’t know how I feel about that.
So what do I do? Do I revise the article to make it a more feelings piece than an opinion piece? Do I leave the article as is and prepare to defend myself? Or do I abandon the topic altogether? What would you do?
I say write it. If it's the way you feel you should do it. Who cares who it might offend. It is the way YOU see things. I have learned you can't please everyone all the time and that's ok. So I say go for it!
post it! if it gets too much to take, you can always delete it. your opinion counts, too. express yourself!
Go for it…without the need for defending! People do not need to agree with you, and you don't have to explain yourself to them 🙂
Funny, your first two paragraphs could have been describing me. I am a pretty sensitive person but I also have a lot of opinions. Ha. Anyway, I say if you feel passionate about the topic then share it. It sounds like you are. People are made up of thoughts and feelings, not just one or the other. I share about potentially controversial topics on my blog and know I may turn of some readers but they are a part of who I am. I'm always a bit nervous about putting myself out there and/or offending someone but I try in general to be respectful and just hope for the best.
Be bold and share! Plus I am curious now. 🙂
How strongly do you feel about the topic? I say go ahead and post it the way it is. People might surprise you. I've written about my feelings, literally my FEELINGS about when my husband was TDY for a while and I was struggling with it, and I had an acquaintance email me and basically rip me apart. As much as it hurt my feelings, it helped me in the long run. Good luck!
It's your blog, write what you want! Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and certainly entitled to free speech. However, there is a way to write the piece without seeming tactless.
I say, go for it. I'm looking forward to reading it, no matter how offended I get! 😉
As is…your opinion counts. It may not to everyone, but that's okay. That's what writing is all about.
I think the choice is ultimately yours but I believe that you should be able to respectfully express an opinion without worrying about being attacked. You may be asked or goaded into defending your opinion, but whether you choose to respond is up to you. If it were me, I'd leave the article as is, if for no other reason that I didn't want to feel pressured into keeping quiet or changing it.
But I understand that is easier said than done, and, I don't know what your topic is. If I had to venture a guess with just the information you've given me, I would say the response probably won't be as bad as you anticipate.
That's just my opinion. 😉
Don't back down to whatever you feel in your heart to write about. Getting negative feedback in any situation is always a fear. At the end of the day, does what other people feel or think about you and your opinion really matter? If it does, then don't write it…if it doesn't then you should be true to yourself.
Tough decision, but definitely don't throw it away.
I would leave it as is, mostly because it's your opinion and those who disagree should respect that, and should handle it maturely.
Life is short, and for whatever reason, you've been given a writer's voice and a venue. I think if you toss whatever it is and ignore it, you will be haunted by the fact that you didn't publish it.
I say leave the article as is. You're never going to make everyone happy and you are entitled to have your own opinion. It's ok if people don't agree but hopefully they can be civil about it. You could be in a small paragraph about how you you don't mind people disagreeing but ask them to be nice about it.
Looking forward to reading you…you have me curious!
I think you'd feel best posting it in honesty, bad comments or not. At least, that's how I feel when I do. People admire the truth.
I personally think this is your space, and as your space you should be able to express not only your feelings but your opinions as well. Anyone who is a mature adult will simply continue on if they disagree with what you write. Maybe, leave a respectful comment stating their opinion. Anyone who leaves a nasty comment has no manners and is immature. And, as a general rule, I think people who are nasty, and can't articulate their point in a proper manner, well their opinion just doesn't count.
As a writer, have you only written to appease? I think you devalue your work by never, ever speaking honestly on an issue that other people might not agree with. In fact, vagueness and generic topics seem to do more harm than actually putting something juicy out there.
You're so thought-out as a writer that I seriously doubt the hecklers are going to come out from under their rocks to tell you how awful of a person you are. Let it flow, let it go… and learn from it, no matter what happens.
I wrote a post I thought was a pretty good piece and it got A LOT of attention. It was my number one reviewed post, but I had like 2 or 3 comments on it. I thought that was odd. Well, later one I come to find out that my post offended a lot of the wives in my husband's unit. And all those views were them reading it. OUCH.
I decided to re-word the post – taking out a lot of opinionated comments and kept it simple.
Depending on how controversial it is, (seeing as I don't know the topic) I would try and not offend others. Because it really killed me to know that I hurt people with my words.
Leave the article as is. I hardly ever get nasty comments but I did stir someone up a little on my last post. They thought I was being inconsiderate but I dind't feel I was. I say always go with what you feel, you are writing about what topic you feel needs to be addressed. Not everyone will like it.
I would post it. You cant please everyone or be on the same page all the time as everyone else. If they don't like the article, then go on to the next one…Be careful to not intentionally offend someone but warn them that this is your feelings/opinions, which we all have & are entitled to.
Agreed, post it. It's your blog and anyone is welcome to stop reading at any point. Who knows, maybe your stating your opinion will encourage a chicken blogger like me to branch out.
Post it! There is nothing wrong with speaking your mind. Like everyone has said it is your blog and you have every right to say what you feel.
Thanks everyone for the kind words and encouragement!!! Sometimes that's what it takes before taking a big jump. 🙂
I'm a little late to the party here, but I say post it. Don't be afraid to share your opinions. This is your blog and you should write whatever inspires you. Plus, controversial discussions make the world a better place by sparking thought and dialogue.