OP-ED/THE TOP SHELF

The Danger of Muzzling Writers

Adults should be able to work out their own shit

Lightbulb moment: Having strong opinions and the courage to share them can be both a blessing and a curse. A blessing because, well, it feels good, to tell the truth. Does it not?

But airing those opinions can also land you in the shit. As it has here for me at times, and possibly you, too. And, therein lies the curse.

After I lost my job and signed up to open up, on this platform, I was excited to have a forum where I could just be myself. I didn’t have to fake it, as I did with clients and creative directors who believed their every idea was a gold nugget, a morsel of perfection ready to be mined and sold to the masses.

Anyone who has worked in the advertising and marketing industries will understand this. Hell, if you toil in the corporate sector, no matter your area of expertise, you’ll get it.

Scratch that. If you work anywhere for anyone, you’ll get it.

Think about it. How many times have you lied up the ass to placate your boss or an emotionally disturbed, crybaby coworker who can’t be trusted to make a pot of coffee? It’s just easier, isn’t it? You don’t have to worry about getting marched down to HR, where the last thing you’ll get is a fair “trial.”

Human Resources exists to protect upper management and that’s it! Don’t ever believe otherwise. I can recall the one time I had a legitimate beef with a supervisor, an addled Creative Director who was in way over her head and with whom I had a long history. After much thought, I acted in a manner that I believed was the best course. I scheduled a meeting with the head of HR, someone with whom I’d had a decent relationship as I’d been at the company nearly fifteen years and she, herself, was an “old-timer.”

As I referred to my extensive notes and conveyed the issues I was experiencing with the CD, in a rational, unemotional manner, I swear I saw her eyes glaze over and I knew, right then, that I was fucked. She wasn’t paying attention. And I realize now that I was naive in thinking this grandfathered-in wonk would be sympathetic to my situation.

So, I acquiesced. I did what I had to in order to keep my gig. Because that’s what we must do if we want to put food on the table. Bend over and take it up the ass.

That said, I wasn’t expecting to have to do that here. I wasn’t expected to be told that I’d better toe the line, or else.

Admittedly, I have strong opinions and I express them in ways that are not to everyone’s taste. Always a non-conformist, I embrace the offbeat, the in-your-face, and the authentic. That last word is overused, yes, but it gets the job done.

My favorite writers are those who hold nothing back. Who aren’t afraid to call “bullshit” when they smell it. Yet, many of my writing heroes possess a trait that I lack and that’s nuance. In recent months, nuance has deserted me and moved onto more fertile territory.

Perhaps my muse, or “that bitch” as I often refer to her, has something to do with this.

In the three-plus years that I’ve been writing here, I’ve seen the quality of work take a dramatic dip. Part of this is due to a handful of publications, which will go unnamed, that, rather than strive for excellence, will publish anything from anyone at any time. And that is their call, but nonetheless, it stinks up this platform.

I mentioned my lack of nuance. Specifically, there are instances when I read a story that is so lazily written, so offensive and so lacking in merit that I have a hard time refraining from ripping the writer a new one.

If someone is so ignorant that they condemn older people, or people of color, or “fat, white women,” publicly, then I believe they deserve an equally public beat-down.

But that’s not the way things work and I am going to have to adjust if I want to keep writing here, which I do, because of the friends I’ve made. I’m certainly not making money so that’s hardly a factor.

For you newbies, it’s all about the community, guys. Don’t forget this.

However, I believe it’s dangerous to censor or “muzzle” a writer. To put them in a particular box because they have the temerity to speak their mind. Yes, we must adhere to certain rules of conduct or become the savages we are but I see nothing wrong in occasionally allowing adults to work out their differences on their own.

Do you know what I mean? Just let us duke it out and eventually, someone will tire and the whole kerfluffle will fade away like a fart in the wind.

I understand that sometimes, a referee is needed, but one who practices discretion, you know?

I’ve been trying to recall if I’ve ever reported a writer here. If I have, I’d guess it would be one or two at the most and the reason would have been major because that’s not me. I’ve reported a few stories, but the individuals, I take on myself. And unfortunately, those without the backbone or smarts to support their inane diatribes, run to mommy and daddy and invariably tattle on yours truly. In fact, this happened recently. And I received a severe ass-slapping.

Now, straight up, I’m aware that I crossed the line in a couple of instances. I could have improved my choice of words. And I could kick myself in the ass for that because I know better. Yet, so often, my indignation gets the better of me and I spew. I make bad choices and they come back to bite me in the ass.

So perhaps I deserved a word of admonition, but certainly not a warning. I believe I’m worthy of better. I’ve worked too hard here for too long and if the powers that be cared to look, they’d note that there are folks here who actually enjoy my particular style.

Did I learn “my lesson?” Yes, I did. But I find it troubling because I believe that once a writer is hobbled, that writer is then in danger of becoming fearful of expressing their true thoughts, and the very thing that delighted their readers is diluted and devoid of the spark that attracted them in the first place. And that scares me.

I don’t want to be that writer. I don’t want to fade into the woodwork. Never have. Perhaps that’s why I became a screenwriter. Because I want to be a star.

There. I’ve said it and I’m not ashamed.

I want to be a fucking star.

If you sift through stories here, you’ll see worse “infractions” than those I’ve committed. Just today, a writer took a cheap shot at another writer and actually called her out by name in his story title. He then proceeded to belittle her and I find this to be terribly sad.

I’m sad for her even though she’s stirred the pot more than once, here.

This guy probably won’t receive a well-deserved wrist-slap because he was scrupulous in his avoidance of “naughty” words, as I am not. There wasn’t a “shit,” “damn” or “fuck” in his namby-pamby tale of woe.

“Boo-hoo. Poor you. You had words with another writer. Suck it up and move on.”

If this had been yours truly, I’d be bounced like an over-inflated beach ball.

So somehow, I have to learn how to straddle the fence, so to speak. To say what I want without inciting the cry babies. This will be a challenge, indeed. That said, I’ll try to enjoy myself and not let you down.

Finally, for you people of a certain age, remember when you were a kid and were targeted by the school bully? You’d run home breathless and blubbering, snot running down your face, fully expecting to be mollycoddled by the two people who made you.

And then your dad, without looking up from his paper, or the game on the tube…or his beer, would say, “kid, you gotta learn to fight your own battles.”

Not a bad lesson, if you ask me. Of course, nobody did, but that never stopped me before.

If you can handle it, read every one of my stories and those of other fab Medium writers. I’ll get a couple of shekels and you’ll have full access to this whole joint! https://sherrymcguinn.medium.com/membership

Sherry McGuinn is a slightly-twisted, longtime Chicago-area writer and award-winning screenwriter. She is currently pitching her newest screenplay, “The Month We Fell Apart,” a drama with dark, comedic overtones and inspired by a true story, as well as “DEAD TIRED,” a female-driven, ass-kicking thriller.

Thanks for reading, guys. If you enjoyed this, I’d love for you to check out the following, as well as my newsletter, Sherry Raw.