I’ll get straight to the point: I’m a coward.
I would like to think I am brave and that I’d be the person to tackle someone else out of the way of a speeding vehicle, but I know that these thoughts are good intentions rather than tested reality. Yelling makes me feel upset. I don’t even like debates between my friends, and I often break them up my turning the subject into a joke.
There are a number of reasons that could be the cause for this, or the reasons together are the cause. That’s not really the point of this post.
I take a ‘consent is cement – do no harm’ view of the world. I am perfectly happen to let people do as they please so long as it doesn’t negatively influence anyone else.
Now, I know this is a grey area in and of itself. What is ‘harm’ to some isn’t harm to others. So I fully admit the limitations of my worldview and the bias that is an inherent part of it.
Recently, with Dear Anonymous submissions and some calls for zine submissions, I have had people express their uncertainty about what they are submitting. Whether it be ‘too dark’ or something that’s ‘too out there’ for DA or for this blog. I didn’t think anything of the submissions at first, and I happily reassured all of them that it was okay.
Note: I do have my limits for what I’ll put in my zines and on this blog, but no one has come close to that line.
The thing is, though, that other people’s lines will be in very different positions. By the very nature of our current society, to take one step in any direction is to move in opposition to someone else. To do nothing is, by its own nature, still an action that causes opposition because you are immediately not doing something that others have.
This tenet of our lives is something I struggle to accept, but it’s existence doesn’t rely on my acceptance. It exists. Therefore, I also need to accept that I can never make everyone happy or bow to everyone’s wishes. I simply must be and do what brings me peace at the end of the day.
Therein lies the struggle of what to post and what to publish. Accepting that someone, somewhere is going to be angry is not something I want to do. At the same time, I know I can’t use huge amounts of my energy trying to keep everyone happy.
I’m not asking anyone permission to post what I want here. This is my blog, so there is no call for that.
What I am asking is that this blog continue to have the positive energy that I put into it. Openness. Acceptance. Plus some understanding at the times when I can’t be open and accepting because of the things that have shaped the person I am today.
If you’ve made it this far, thank you for reading. Whether you agree or disagree, I appreciate that you’ve given me your time.
“The World is my country, all mankind are my brethren, and to do good is my religion.” – Thomas Paine
TL;DR
I’m doing my own thing and walking my own path here at SGZ. Some things might offend you. Please don’t take that out on me or anyone else here. It is your choice to be offended or to close the page and walk away.
