Sunday, June 7, 2009

An apology...

I recently received a comment from a reader that hurt me. She said that she was going to stop following me because of something I had said in a post I had written earlier this morning. I was afraid that I potentially offended other readers by what I had said, so I deleted the post in question.

Am I being too sensitive for doing this? Maybe. There's another part of me that wants to say, "If you don't like what I write, don't read it."

But this really bothered me. I did not publish the comment, because that was my choice. I need to set the record straight here: I am a decent person. I am not hateful; I respect all races, creeds, religious beliefs, and sexual orientations. I do not mean to offend anyone who reads this blog, and if I do, I apologize. But if I hurt one person, I wonder how many others I could potentially--but unintentionally--hurt as well.

I also need to let you all know that this is not strictly a book blog. It started out that way, but it has grown to something much more. I don't have time in my life to keep a separate book blog and a personal blog, so I just use this as an outlet for many topics. Sometimes I do get political, and I have strong political opinions. I don't mean to slander anyone who does not believe in my political opinions, but again, if I do, I'm sorry to offend.

So, the bottom line is, if you don't like what I have to write, don't read it. And if you think I'm being a wuss for writing this post, just mention it in the comments and delete my blog from your reader.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm sorry. :(

I gain and lose followers every day and what I have to remember is that my blog is for me, not anyone else. If others decide to read it, then great, but when I lose people, I can't get upset over it because my blog is my blog, not anyone else's.

Valorie said...

I just read the post (my reader hasn't updated and it's still there) to see what was so offensive... and I couldn't find it. I would say that the comment is the result of someone being super sensitive. It doesn't sound at all as if you are intolerant of anything. If the person who commented had such a reaction to personal and nonoffensive things, then I think the issue of tolerance lay with them instead.

In the end, it is your blog and you can and should say what you want. Heck, if you wanted to write an entire post about how much you hate something and be totally offensive, it's your right. As long as you don't call people out and draw innocents in, this is YOUR sounding board. I say a lot of things that people take issue with because I'm frank. There are people out there who can't handle this, or who don't seem to respect your space.

Ultimately, you shouldn't have to apologize. For every one reader you lose because you're honest and forthcoming, you'll gain two who respect you for being honest and frank with who and what you are.

Valorie
morbidromantic@gmail.com

Unknown said...

hey kitten,
i read that post this morning you didn't say anything that was in amy way offensive.. but i guess i am not to sensitive!! lol

Anonymous said...

I read your earlier post in my feed reader (I subscribe and will continue to do so!) and don't see anything particularly offensive.

I won't say anymore about the details of that post, but I will say that I think it's okay to have a point of view. Actually I think it's important.

Here is a post (not mine) that I recently read which covers this topic.

http://thedailyblonde.com/2009/06/blogging-be-yourself/

Take care. Kelly

Amber said...

I'd say don't you worry one bit about what someone has said to you in email.
They don't know you in real life, and have no basis of judgement because of that point. Even if they did, NO TWO PEOPLE ARE THE SAME, or share the values, opinons, and morals. That's why we have democracy.
As far as I believe, you have no reason to apologize for being who you are, and expressing that in writing.
So what, one less person who's following you, it's not the end of the world. There was life before they followed, there will be life after they leave.
Just remember you have blog buddies who think you're brilliant, no matter what you have to say ;oD

Improbable Joe said...

Because you said you hate peas? Harsh!

Seriously, if someone isn't adult enough to read things they disagree with, that's THEIR problem. Not YOUR problem on any level.

You should re-post the offending post, and make it more offensive if possible. That's what I would do.

aurbie said...

This is America. You just let someone censor you! You should have stood your ground.

Working for a newspaper, I know that you can't please everyone.

Some people just never learned how to debate. They hear or see something they don't like, and go basaltic.

This is your blog. Post what you like, and those who don't like it can scat. Your loss will be soon be another person's headache.

Teddy Rose said...

I must have missed that post. I don't offend easily.

There is such a thing as freedom of speech, so I support you in stating your opinions. I also support any commentors who would like to state theirs as long as it is kept friendly and not as an attack!.

drollgirl said...

this is YOUR blog, and you are so right! you get to write what you want!

i have lost some readers by being offensive or boring (or whatever the reason(s) may be) and that is just the way the cookie crumbles. it hurts a little, but onward and upward.

i hope you don't let this get you down. :)

Jenners said...

That sucks. I guess I missed the "questionable" post so I can't tell you what I thought but I can only imagine what it must have felt like to get an e-mail like that. I don't understand when people get so offended ... everyone's blog is a reflection of their thoughts and feelings and no one is forcing you to read it. Don't be too upset. .. you probably don't want them as a follower anyway!