This blog is inspired by Dr. Guy's Real Democracy article and Little Whip's Label one.
I'm not a regular here. I came in here about 14 months ago, and mostly read a lot of different articles by a lot of different bloggers before attempting to write my first. There are many in here who write interesting, thought-provoking, entertaining and/or funny blogs, and in those articles we form an idea of who the author is. We then base an opinion on the author solely on their writings. Either from an article and his or her comments on their or someone else's blog. But is that fair?
The reason I ask is we can't hear the tone of voice in which the writer is writing. So we could easily misinterpret their comments as negative or hostile if said writer's articles were also viewed as such. I think if one can write well, chances are, they are way more than one dimensional, and should be treated as such.
Just because a person writes a rant, should we think they are that way all the time? Should we think they are "out of it" if we don't agree with their rants? We must remember everyone is different. We all don't act or react alike. We all have bad days where our actions may be ours, but don't define who we are.
Just because you handle your emotions one way doesn't mean the person who doesn't do it your way is wrong. Nor does it make you wrong. It only means people are different in so many different ways. Differences shouldn't be feared or disliked. They should be welcomed because, to me, the more you know and accept those differences, the better you become. Not only as a writer, but as a person.
Like I said earlier, I mostly read when I first came here. It actually became addicting. I seen arguments. I seen young bloggers trying to make their mark. I seen excellent written articles not only on the forums, but off the forums as well. Did I form opinions on these writers? Probably so. Was it the right opinion? Probably not.
For example, when I first read Little Whip's articles and comments I didn't like her. I thought to myself, "Who does she think she is?. See, based on a few blogs and comments from her, I already had in a way pre-judged her. Was I basing my opinion on Sabrina or on the Little Whip persona? Or was I basing it on a person I met in my past that maybe had one characteristic of Little Whip?
I think it was the latter. I didn't know Sabrina or Little Whip so why should I take a harsh view towards her, especially from words she wrote. The words weren't directed at me, and I didn't know the history between her and the person she was disagreeing with. So if her words really annoyed me it had to be something inside of me. Maybe it took me back to a place where someone talked to me in such a way. Maybe I was too young and scared to defend myself against a bigger and stronger foe. Maybe I promised myself I wouldn't let anyone do it to me again. Maybe I wanted to beat the hell out of my tormentor, but since I don't see them I look for someone anyone who remind me of them. Either way it's my dilemma. I would be a complete fool to hate someone new for a problem I had in the past.
I read Little Whip's articles now with an open mind. In fact, I do with all fellow bloggers. Do I agree with everything she writes? Of course not, but I do try to see things from all angles, and I know when I do disagree it's because I disagree and not because I dislike her for a comment she made in 2005. In my opinion, she's nowhere near as bad as everyone thinks. Under her rough exterior lies someone with a big heart.
Before someone thinks I'm defending Little Whip or that we are friends or I'm trying to get in her good graces let me say this, I'm defending everyone. LW and I are not friends, which doesn't mean I dislike her. It only means we don't know each other. There's many here I don't know, but still enjoy reading. I didn't write this blog to get in LW's or anyone else's good graces. I think anyone who is honest and respectful in what they write would be enough for her and anyone else.
The whole point of my article is before you decide to dislike someone here strictly because of a comment or two you should ask yourselves if it's really them you despise or something deeper in your past. Just because a person may have one characteristic of someone you disliked doesn't mean he or she is the same person. Give them the benefit of the doubt before judging so harshly. Who knows, you may get a friend from it, and you can never have too many of them.