9-15-11 2:34am
I am so angry right now. I can’t even express to you how angry I am.
I just wrote a blog post. Personal feelings I would like to post on my personal blog. I believe I have the right to have feelings and to be angry and to write about those feelings. But the issue I wrote about is not a new one, just the beginning of a majorly huge issue for me that has caused many problems. And I’m so angry tonight because I’m sitting here debating over whether or not to post the damn thing because I don’t want repercussions from the entity it talks about.
I shouldn’t have to censor myself on my own turf to avoid offending someone or ones. Yet I feel like I have to. WHY? Why does it matter who my opinions offend? Part of me is worried my venting will have an effect on interorganizational drama, but there is already interorganizational drama. (Or is that intra? I never know. Between the two.) It’s no secret. I don’t understand why I feel like the bad guy here.
Several months ago I sent an email to a friend regarding some of these issues. She asked me, as a friend, my opinion and I gave it to her straight up. She sent said opinion to the person it was about and said person reamed me for it. When did things change to a world where I have to like everyone? To agree with what people do? To pretend things are ok? They’re not. They weren’t. And they probably won’t be. But I still feel guilty. And for that I feel angry.
I don’t care who’s offended by my writing. I just wish people would take it for what it is.
Oppression through self-imposed pre-posting guilt and consequent deep deep anger. Wow. It’s like writer’s Hell. I’m posting it anyway. Whatever comes of it comes of it. They don’t own me.
© Michelle Routhieaux 2011
Writing Towards Happy 
Michelle, I read your earlier post about not wanting to erradicate bipolar, and I must disagree with you. I do not have bipolar, but work in the mental health field, specifically crisis work, therefore I see people (bipolar and everything else from A-Z) when they are feeling their absolute worst and there is a lot of suffering involved for everyone involved. However, that being said, I 100% do not think that you should ever censor your writing/thoughts/opinions. It’s human nature for people to disagree, and unfortunately some people don’t know how to do it in a respectful manner (irregardless if there is mental or physical illness involved). Keep your chin up and don’t put down that pen!
Thanks, Megan. I do crisis work too. It’s ugly.
It’s unfortunate in this day and age that even the companies we work for can monitor our online content and possibly fire us for it. Not fair!
I agree with you, and love the last line. They don’t own me either!
Amen. :)