Can We Stop With The Angry Political Articles? It’s Corny Now.

Unless you change someone’s mind, they’re useless.

I read this post from Tom Kuegler a few days ago.

He talked about angry writing — especially on this platform.

Angry writing is when someone writes a polarizing article because they’re pissed off to get more engagement and start an internet war.

But he wonders if those writers TRULY changed the reader’s mind or did they add another person to join their angry club about political views they hate.

That got me thinking…how can you change someone’s mind with your writing?

Answer: Acknowledge someone else’s perspective.

Let me explain.

I’ve made a living off angry writing too. I used to write pissed-off political articles screaming at the right.

They gained a bunch of comments from conservatives. It would cause a big internet war between the left and right.

Before, I thought that was awesome!

“Hey. If it gives you more engagement, go for it.”

But now I realize how much of a cop-out it can be. Angry articles are easy to sniff out:

• WHY MEN ARE TRASH
• WHY WHITE PEOPLE ARE SCUM
• WHY STRAIGHT PEOPLE SHOULD JUMP OFF A CLIFF
• WHY TRUMP IS THE BEST PRESIDENT

They’re all LOUD opinions that are heavy on the right or left.

The world is so polarized now that every little thing that doesn’t fall completely in line with a certain side will get backlash.

Angry writers know this and pounce on the attention.

Ever since I became a political moderate, I’ve dived more into both sides of the coin.

I know how liberals AND conservatives feel about a topic before I write about it. Then, I acknowledge those different perspectives in my article to make sure no one feels like their side isn’t heard.

That’s all it comes down to when you think about it.

Other sides just want to feel heard.

It’s a taste of vindication for them. They feel like someone understands their thoughts.

And in this world, you can’t have a conversation without understanding someone else.

So, I encourage any fellow “angry writer” out there to acknowledge someone else’s thoughts before you write.

It may not change someone’s mind, but it has a greater chance if the other side feels acknowledged.

Write on.

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