NEWSLETTER: Gratitude, Lessons, Updates

Unpopular Opinions Are Popular

Gratitude to All The Writers and Readers

“The best ideas come as jokes. Make your thinking as funny as possible.”

― David M. Ogilvy

Have you ever joked about something but decided it was a good idea? We have all been there, right? Occasionally, some ideas that begin as jokes end up changing people’s lives. #facebook. Thirty days ago, after joking around with a family member, I made the decision to create a Medium publication because I am a sucker for unpopular opinions. For instance, my first unpopular opinion piece was about food, go figure, I am a foodie, so it just makes sense.

I think the older and the more self-aware I have gotten the more my opinions became unpopular. You get to that point in life where you’re like screw it, I am gonna create my own beats and march happily to them. Being popular or fitting into societal norms can become suffocating, so sometimes you gotta take chances and step outside of some of these boxes, or at least mingle on the edges of them.

This is what birthed Unpopular Opinions. My goal was to create a publication that existed outside of or on the edges of the box of niches. One that could possibly push the limits of freedom of speech that we are convinced that we have. One that would demolish these invisible barrier and connect writers with various life journeys, who potentially would not have engaged with each other except through this medium. Perhaps one that could present unpopular opinions by making them light-hearted and humorous without the worries of getting canceled. Is laughter still a thing?

This idea came about because I consider myself a rebel as I am always testing the status quo and pushing those limits. I have endless unpopular opinions some of which I am discovering aren’t that unpopular at all. Damnit, what does that mean? Here I am trying to release the rebel that dwells inside of me only to discover that there are a lot more rebels than I was led to believe. Calling all rebels, let’s stand together…shout your opinions for others to hear.

Publication Success and Gratitude

This publication has been successful because it is accomplishing the goal and vision that I have set forth for it. The goal is to share opinions that may or may not be unpopular in a respectful and gracious way. This venture would not be possible without the talented writers and poets who were brave enough to share their unpopular opinions for us to read and at times scrutinize. I am grateful to you to all and I am grateful to all the visitors who clapped and commented on those articles and poems. It is amazing to have writers/readers who might have opposing opinions co-exist in the same space while agreeing to disagree.

Lessons I Have Learned

Being an editor is new to me and I am still learning each day. I am so grateful to Bhavna Narula for writing this article where she discussed some of the issues/challenges of being an Editor on Medium. It has opened my eyes to some best editorial practices and this information will be helpful as I continue on this journey.

It has been quite an exciting ride and though I have made a couple of mistakes, perhaps a handful, I have used those mishaps as learning experiences and they will become a guide for future challenges.

I have learned a lot from the beautiful minds of the talented writers on this platform and I have also learned a lot about myself. Here are a few things I have learned thus far:

• Censorship is real AF and freedom of speech is very limited
• We can share unpopular opinions without spewing hate or ugliness
• I have learned to show patience and understanding while reading/hearing someone’s perspective
• Editing ain’t easy and I have much to learn. #babysteps, #beassertive
• Many people have unpopular opinions that they keep to themselves
• Unpopular opinions are freakin’ popular, the traffic on this publication has been astonishing

Current and Future Manifestations

Saving the best for last. This is my attempt at a newsletter, probably not in the traditional sense. I am going with the flow here people, so no need for the proper structure. I have provided some background information about the pub’s origin, expressed my gratitude to our contributors, and extracted some lessons, so the only thing left to do is to discuss what has happened and what is to come.

The publication has over 50 writers and we have gained over 100 readers, “followers” if you will, in the community. The numbers are increasing each day and I am so excited about this. I am hoping that the community continues to grow and we can celebrate some future milestones.

So where do I see this going? Hell if I know, lol.

As we continue to share our unpopular opinions, I hope that we will encourage other writers to share theirs as well.

I would like to write a monthly newsletter to highlight the standout pieces just to give the community an idea of what unpopular opinions Medium readers like to read and engage with.

I would also like to create a section dedicated to sharing video clips, and perhaps shortform pieces, you know those quick short rants (we all have had an unpopular opinion that we have vented about).

Finally, I would like to reach out to some of Medium’s seasoned writers and request them as guest contributors for the publication. I have tried this once and I have yet to get a response, but I ain’t giving up. Perhaps, I should go all the way to the top, possibly Ev Williams?

Well, that’s it for now, let us continue to ride this wave and in about 30 days, I will touch base again. In the interim, if you would like to contact me, please send an email to: [email protected].

Until next time my UO peeps…keep spreading those unpopular opinions because we care about being real, not popular and your opinions matter.

The writers make all this possible and I would like to take the time to thank all those who have submitted their pieces thus far: Harry Seitz | Michael Trigg | Patrick M. Ohana | Dazzling Shene |I. Trudie Palmer | William Spivey | Bhavna Narula | Diana C. | TC Hails | Nombuso Makhubu | Ivette Cruz | Sahil Patel | Anthi Psomiadou | Kevin Jahleel Ishimwe | Margie Willis | Taylor Moran | K. Barrett | Imad | Christophe Gagnon | Anastasia H. | Mary Kay Ranger | Annelise Lords | Bobby Kountz | Nah. | Indigo You all are truly inspirational and I have gained some new perspective from reading your work. Your stories have attracted many like-minded readers/writers to the publication and I am grateful for all of your contributions.

Do you have an unpopular opinion that you would like to share? To become a writer for Unpopular Opinions, please see the guidelines below:

Thank you for reading my first unpopular opinion newsletter.