Should You Shy Away from Good Controversy? Absolutely Not.

Creator: Jan van Eyck  (circa 1390–1441) | Credit: Wikimedia Commons

“It’s the dark that should be afraid of you.”

Throughout History (capitalized proper), we’ve witnessed many instances of individuals being targeted for their progressive beliefs by a group of “thinkers” who had set their individual judgment aside for the adoption of a collective framework.

This is called “herd mentality,” and it is now more prevalent than ever before, thanks to our usual culprits: social media and the Internet of Things.

Also known as swarm theory, it occurs naturally and subconsciously, and is deeply ingrained into our primal instincts.

This can yield benefits, from safety in numbers to collaboration. But it also impedes progress, effectively kills diversity, and suppresses unique voices when imbalanced.

As a writer that is not a straight, white woman (71.3% of the publishing landscape), you most likely have experienced resistance or an aggressive pushback on your ideas, your perspectives, your political stance.

Black voices, Latino voices, Asian authors, independent authors, apolitical or neutral, Afrocentric tales… The list of underrepresented voices and themes would not even fit this page, had I tried.

There is an ongoing suppression in this industry—sacred commandments you must abide by if you want to find commercial success and broad appeal. And the prospect is seductive, so you comply (after all, we have bills to pay too).

They call it market drivers.

Ha!

Some are relevant (visual identity, common themes, target audience), but others are weapons deployed in a war waged by the politically correct.

Quotas in a certain type of representation (whatever fits the current political agenda), tropes, quantity over quality, etc.

Well, well, well.

Since we promote positivity and inclusion on this platform, understand that this is not aimed at a particular demographic or subset. Let’s make this clear:

ALL

VOICES

SHOULD BE

REPRESENTED.

That’s right. Diversity of thoughts is as equally important as diversity of genders or identities. It’s something I’m alluding to here and here.

History has shown us that species-wide breakthroughs and milestones can only be attained through subversive thinking and revolutionary currents. Nothing groundbreaking is achieved from a place of comfort, where mediocrity and the herd are celebrated like some sort of essential norms.

“Don’t be afraid of the dark. It’s the dark that should be afraid of you.”

Write about subjects you are passionate about, break the rules, go against the grain, call out the hateful, racist, and late capitalists who would rather see you comply so they can inflate their bottom lines. Celebrate love beyond labels, storytelling that requires emotional and intellectual investments. Not everything has to be streamlined, cut short, or accessible.

Without disruptive minds, it’s virtually impossible to drive progress, self-improvement, or reforms in this societal body.

The same applies to your literary works. You must remain loyal to your beliefs, to what makes your voice unique.

Live your truth in broad daylight. Shout it with pride. Fear is a tool often employed in the hands of the weak and insecure.

Write with an unwavering commitment to weirdness and groundbreaking narratives.

Break away from your confinement.

Turn down the golden cage these modern slave runners in publishing offered you with a devious smile. Their purpose is volume rather than impact.

Write on!