A few of us are given the honor of writing opinion pieces for sites that reach lots of readers like Twitchy. I feel so grateful to be one of those people and have the opportunity to share my opinion on topics with you, dear readers, occasionally. I do not take it for granted, but I also know, it is just my opinion. While I hope to persuade you to believe the same, at the end of the day, you may disagree with me and I may not move you. Another opinion writer opined on this today.
Nobody in power is safe from my pen, not Biden, not Trump, not Musk, not DeSantis. Because it’s not my pen, I just hold it, it belongs to the people.
— David Marcus (@BlueBoxDave) December 30, 2023
While there is power in sharing our opinions with lots of readers, it is important to keep our impact in check.
It’s just opinion commentary. We’re not saving lives. https://t.co/tdoprGB7Yb
— Kimberly Ross 🇺🇸🇺🇦🇮🇱 (@SouthernKeeks) December 31, 2023
Hopefully, we change a few minds, but we certainly are not saving lives. Thus began the great war among the opinion writers on Twitter last night. It was fascinating. For full disclosure, this opinion writer was binging 'Yellowstone' for the sixth time and missed it in real time.
Then go bake pies and let serious people do our work. https://t.co/OneVkj7vzW
— David Marcus (@BlueBoxDave) December 31, 2023
Oof! Not a good look, Dave.
Lemme know when one opinion article turns everything around. Until then, stop acting like you're better than firefighters.
— Just One Strawman (@JustOneStrawman) December 31, 2023
As a mother to a firefighter, you will never catch me thinking my work is as important as the work my son does daily. Firefighter/Paramedics do the most important work I can think of and that is not just my opinion. I venture to say that is a fact. In that category, I would also include linemen who ensure we have electricity every day.
Journalism should never have been given over to women who need a hobby. https://t.co/b6ehTTeTlp
— David Marcus (@BlueBoxDave) December 31, 2023
It went down hill from there, unfortunately. Let me assure you, friends, writing for you is not my hobby. I do this to support my family as a single mom and am grateful for the opportunity. How silly for David to think some women do not support their families.
Then go bake pies and let serious people do our work. https://t.co/OneVkj7vzW
— David Marcus (@BlueBoxDave) December 31, 2023
We can do serious work as opinion writers while keeping our role in check. We are never the important party in the relationship. We always must center our readers first.
This may actually be the feminization of journalism. “We’re irrelevant, let’s write about Barbie!” https://t.co/YZuODTrDXJ
— David Marcus (@BlueBoxDave) December 31, 2023
Or, perhaps, female opinion writers are able to more accurately see our value because we do not garner our worth from our job as men sometimes do. Women tend to look at the success of their families to gauge how they are doing in this world.
Should I link my author archive now or do you have enough strength left to admire anything but your own reflection? https://t.co/S0dfCCTlvk
— Kimberly Ross 🇺🇸🇺🇦🇮🇱 (@SouthernKeeks) December 31, 2023
I have to admit I chuckled. The picture in my mind was Gaston in the town square in the 'Beauty and the Beast' as all the girls admired his chiseled muscles.
This was a dumb thing to say. I apologize. https://t.co/p8XsRMfCsJ
— David Marcus (@BlueBoxDave) December 31, 2023
Eventually, David came out of his spiral and apologized. It was indeed a dumb thing to say. We opinion writers tend to do that every once in a while. You cannot always hit a home run every time. So, that was the great squabble among opinion writers last night. It was good for a laugh and a good reminder to keep our egos in check. With great opportunity comes great responsibility. Part of that responsibility is keeping a proper perspective and knowing the reader is our boss. Without your eyes and clicks, none of us have the job of writing for you. Thank you all for this honor in 2023. I hope to continue to earn your readership in 2024. We may not always agree when the day is done, but if I can make you consider a different viewpoint, that is success.
